ghostdog511's Profile
What time to dine in SoBe to avoid long waits?
The truth of the matter is that if the place is "hot" and has a "scene" chances are pretty good that you'll have to wait - especially during season. For most people this isn't a problem as this gives them an excuse to have a cocktail at the bar and people watch. Also, let's face it - people attract people and the more packed the place is the more people will gravitate to it and want to get in. A fine dining or fine dining/casual restauurant usuually allows 1 1/2 hours for a table to "turn." When a table is pushing two hours the maitre'd or manager is ususally breathing down the server's neck to turn the table and get them out. Unfortunately, because Miami/South Beach restaurants are about the "scene" and not about the food (unlike, say, New York or San Fran) most guests camp out watching the scene and stay far too long or past their allotted 1 1/2 hours. This backs everything up and then you have the madness that is your typical Friay or Saturday night. To compound the problem, most South Beach restaurants overbook knowing that customers will be a "no show" or gratuitously late. This policy is followed at Prime 112, Nemo, Table 8, Barton G, Talula, Wish, Touch, Smith & Wollensky, etc., basicallly every restaurant worth eating at. If you're someone who can't stand waiting I suggest a 7pm reservation on a Tuesday night.
