I just called to make a reservation (aka booking) for dinner at Cafe Sydney. Atlassian was nice enough to give us a gift certificate there, as part of Fede's welcome package. It is a restaurant that is known for good food and a fabulous view.
The online reservation system is really just an email form so you can request a reservation. Unfortunately, the email response I got was: "We are fully booked that day. Please let us know if you want to be on the waitlist." Clearly, email was a very inefficient way to make reservations at this place.
I called them and ultimately was able to make a reservation. But, there were some odd points to the conversation:
1. We could have an outside table or an inside table. Outside is where the beautiful view is--but then you're susceptible to the elements. If it storms, you may not get a seat inside (since they are fully booked). So, there's a risk that you won't have a table at all.
2. The reservation was for a specific time slot. So, we now have a reservation from 6 PM to 8:15 PM. If we sat outside, our table would be for 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Apparently, those outside tables are prime tables--and you don't get to linger out there.
Which then made me wonder what they would do if you overstayed your time slot. Would they speed you along somehow? Take away your dishes and bring back everything boxed up? Hand you the bill and wait for your credit card? Would lights flash, giving you a 15 minute warning? Times up. Get outta here.
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