Dreaming of Spontaneity
Notes on reservation culture + The Grab Bag
To reservation culture I say, “enough!” I had this thought last Saturday when I woke up at 9 a.m. and realized after 30 or so minutes of practicing my typical morning mindfulness exercise (i.e., scrolling Instagram) that I was already late to getting a spot in my 7 a.m. Monday workout class. On a lazy Saturday morning I was already thinking of my Monday morning workout. Can’t imagine why we’re all clenching our jaws.
I’m not dissing my gym, I’m a YMCA1 girl through and through, but this thought (among others recently) reminded me of the burden of having to reserve everything. Do I want to see a movie? Hope it’s not a mere three hours before that movie starts. In fact, it better be a few days out if you don’t want to get stuck in the front row.2 You want to check out the new restaurant in town? Hope you’re feeling up to it on May 22nd at 7:45 p.m. because now you have plans! Spontaneity is dead and the murderer is Resy.
Do you guys want to go to a concert in October? I’m sure it will be raining and delayed three hours due to a single flash of lightning, but we kind of have to lock in the $200 tix now. Does timed entry to the museum work for everyone at 2:10? Will you be prepared to appreciate art between the hours of 2:10 and 4:10? Help.
I, of course, recognize the importance of reservations. This is where I include the disclaimer that I have no children and have the privilege of setting out on any random night to see where the wind takes me. No one wants to plan a date night and have to show up at 4 p.m. to put your name in for a possible 8 p.m. slot, or to not get in at all. Although, it’s what my favorite restaurant does. Consider my local Raleigh favorite, Stanbury. They don’t take reservations. You have to want it.3 There’s something about showing up to Stanbury and knowing that every single person there wants to be there.4 It undoubtedly accounts for the excellent vibe that permeates that space.
In contrast, there’s another restaurant in town that I will not name5 that I had to book at least a month out. There were many things wrong with this dining experience. I was told the inside of this space was gorgeous when in reality it was indistinguishable from a 2014 apartment lobby. I was told the drinks and food were best in class. They were not despite the prices trying to convince me they were! I built up this dining experience since I had it on the calendar for so long, which surely contributed to my disappointment. Even worse, the energy in the restaurant was unbelievably flat. For a small fairly crowded space, it was quiet. There was music, but no one was really talking. When I say talking, I mean gabbing. It felt like no one was having fun. Nobody felt like being there, but knew they should keep the reservation. Where’s the fun in that?
I have a fair solution. Can every restaurant be half reservations, and half walk-ins. Ideally, the walk-ins set the tone, so the reservation folks get a contact high from the sheer joy that comes with a last minute night out. Please everyone take this under advisement!6
It’s The Grab Bag
The Beatles Biopics have been cast. So many white lads of the moment! We have Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. The films are set to release in April 2028. I can’t figure out if they’re all coming out the same day, but if so I will see them all on the same day. I have no beef with this casting, but I do like the internet commentary surrounding it. My favorite fan cast is what if it were a Muppet movie and every character is a Muppet except for current day Ringo. If you love the Yellow Submarine movie like me you should also agree that the group as a whole would have loved this.
I started watching Vanderpump Rules over the weekend and I’m hooked. Will be writing up a little Xtra post on that, but the downside to watching anything on Peacock is the endless ads. If you’re wondering what’s going on in the ad space right now, Amy Poehler is doing Subway commercials and Adam Pally is promoting Jimmy Johns. I guess funny people are really into sandwiches right now. Hot people too!7
I’m obsessed with the Ash scent from Boy Smells. I use it as a room spray. Please note a little goes a long way! You can win me over with any musky, woody scent.
The Nintendo Switch 2 was finally announced and it’s releasing June 5. One of my core beliefs is that video games (both the consoles and the games themselves) are the best bang for your buck and are a steal for the amount of time you spend on them. I’ll be getting the new Switch as soon as possible. My main hope is that the Joy-Con controllers actually work and hold a charge. In Lakitu’s name may it be so.
Something for Raleigh
The Crunkleton Raleigh is finally open in Smoky Hollow. This one has been a long time coming and I’ve been very excited to check it out. I’ll be heading their tonight, so follow over on Welcome to Raleighwood for updates!
Cheers!
Like if I don’t sign up they’re not going to kick me out of the class, but as the gym gets more and more crowded by the day I’m concerned about what the future holds!
Or a month out if you’re trying to secure the right Barbenheimer lineup.
Trust me you will want it.
Familial obligations and other issues aside.
Honestly, DM me on Saturday night and I’ll tell you.
I could write a whole diatribe on how to stay afloat as a restaurant in the US. You have to create a scarcity mindset so a place is so desirable and difficult to get into such that reservations are a necessity, and if you’re not booking out you’re not staying afloat. I don’t want to get into all this now. I love the European model where cafes abound, but with rent and costs how they are here it’s impossible, so let’s just say the above is my American dream.
Amy Poehler is both funny and hot. Wanted to make that clear.