There's nothing better than visiting a great restaurant with your closest friends and family. When dining out as a group, it's beneficial to make a reservation to ensure your party can be accommodated. It's also important that you observe specific etiquette when making a reservation, which ensures a positive experience for all involved. Here are a few important points to keep in mind. 

Do:

Make the reservation as early as possible. 

Waiting until the last minute might mean that you can't secure the time your party desires. However, calling a day or two a day ahead ensures you'll be accommodated. Before calling, double-check that the date and time of the reservation work for your entire group. 

Arrive with your entire dinner party. 

Your reservation is not technically fulfilled until your entire party has arrived, so punctuality is crucial. Waiting for other members to arrive affects the length of the reservation, but it can also impact people who've reserved the table after you. Additionally, staff will choose the table based on the number you stated when making the reservation, and arriving with fewer people can cause complications. 

Don't:

Show up later than your reserved time. 

If possible, try to arrive at your reservation early. Getting at the location late cuts the amount of time you'll have to enjoy dinner, especially in busy establishments where lots of people are vying for reservations at once. Make sure your entire party is aware of the time of the reservation and send reminders to ensure everyone is on the same page. 

Fail to show up at all.

If circumstances change and your dinner must be postponed, contact the restaurant as soon as you're aware. Failing to show up prevents them from giving the table to another group, which affects their bottom line. It may also impact your ability to reserve a table next time, as staff may be wary of you failing to show up again. 

When searching for a tasty menu, friendly staff, and amazing ambiance, Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill has exactly what you're looking for. Serving customers throughout the St. Louis metro area, this establishment offers tasty southern cuisine with a Cajun flare. Their St. Peters location also accepts reservations to ensure you and your guests have a great time dining out. Call (618) 650-9109 for more information, or visit the website to check out their menu.