News come via a friend of a friend:
“I just made a booking… at Tempura Hajime (the place you told me about) earliest date. August 2nd.”
Wow!
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I was just saying to a friend today that we should go eat there. But that probably the restaurant was booked out for months due to the review in The Age newspaper. I knew I should have booked immediately after I read your review and Mellie’s review on Tummy Rumbles. Now I can cross of Tempura Hajime from my to-dine-at list for a year at least.
And the owners aren’t particularly happy about it either.
A friend, Kevin, has been twice now — once before the review appeared and once after. He said the make-up of the diners had changed significantly: the first time he went, there was only one Caucasian in the house, the second, only two Asians (himself and his mother). Not that there’s anything wrong with that necessarily, but it’s telling.
Thanh/Matthew
It’s a real shame. they need to go underground and allow people in on referral only. Perhaps it will die down after a while. Or perhaps booking on an unpopular night is the solution to the problem. It’s funny though, how many restaurants would love to be in this situation?
Matthew I’ve been to Hajime twice, both times before the reviews. The first time they did 6 people the second 4 people, why wouldn’t the owners be happy, no point having 12 seats and not at least 12 guests…
I liked being able to get a reservation there, but I loved the experience enough to want them to get a review and more customers. See my site for my personal dilema at the time.
Jack
Your article re long waiting times to book for popular restaurants prompts me to write to you and point out that Ocha, (Pakington st., Kew.) does not take bookings longer than 3 months in advance and currently the waiting list for a Friday or Saturday is – 3 months.
I though it was a secret place that very few knew about, but I guess it is not.
Harry Buskens.
Thanks harry
perhaps I’ll try and discover Ocha myself in a low-key sort of way.
Well, nearly one year on from these comments. Just went to TH last night and they’re down to three-week-advance booking, with the occasional spot that can be filled on short notice. If you’ve been put off giving it a try because of the wait, now may be a better time. Gorgeous food, lovely staff! An oddly intimate restaurant where you are on as much display as the food, yet able to keep your quiet world to yourselves if you want.
Madhu, thanks. I will try again. Everything you say is so true and I’m glad to hear how good it is still.