It's Not So Difficult

I'm sure restaurants believe they already suffer at the hands of demanding customers. Nevertheless, I wish to impose an additional burden on them. They must tell callers when they'll be closed for vacation.

In the case of restaurants that take reservations, this isn't a big problem. If they're not going to be open, they won't take your name. But what of places that don't take reservations? Twice recently I've called no-reservation restaurants to ask for the hours and days of operation. I get the information. I go there. When I arrive, there's a sign on the door: Closed for vacation.

It happened to me at the famous Galatoire's in New Orleans. I had a long chat with the reservationist on a Thursday. When I showed up the next Tuesday, coming straight from the airport to have lunch, it was closed for vacation.

It happened again at a macaroni and cheese spot in New York's East Village. That same dreaded sign was on the door. Here's my rule: If you call a restaurant for information and it will be closed for vacation any time in the next couple of weeks, it has to tell you. If it doesn't, cross the joint off your list. It either doesn't care about customers or the people running it are so dumb you should assume they don't know how to prepare decent food.