Our operations are primarily dependent on reservations which helps us plan for your visit. It is a balance of accomodating customers while providing great service to everyone that is seated. Given the option to seat a table and compromise server to everyone dining with us, we will choise not seat an additional table.
At J's restaurant we operate almost exclusively on a reservation only policy and it is highly unlikely that we would ever take a walkin unless we had a no-show.
At the Vintner's Knoll we accept walk-ins if we have the appropriate number of staff and seats available. Notwithstanding open tables, we often stop taking reservations because we do not have enough staff, (servers or chefs) to properly serve additional people. If we have 400 seats but we only have enought staff to service 300 people, then we will accept walkins until the kitchen staff or servers tell us they are already over burdened. When this occurs, then we immediately stop from taking walkins until we are informed by the staff that they are comfortable taking additional walkins. Allowing our staff to provide feedback on walkins allows them the opportunity to provide great service and us the opportunity to create a great work environment.
At the Vintner's Knoll we will always try to accept walkings based on the above approach. If the staff tells us they are jeopardizing service, we shut down walkins until they notify us that they are back in control. Once shut down we will not reopen seating until they notify us that they are comfortable accepting additional people. We do shut down our reservation system at 8 am each morning for the day since we notify staff at that time about whether or not they need to come into work. Just like any restaurant, when you visit without a reservation there is absolutely no guarantee of a seat.
We often receive calls or emails asking about the availability for walkins. Unfortunately, we would need to know how many walkins will be coming today and the time that they will be coming. Every day is different so it is impossible to answer a question based on facts that we do not have. We can represent that people that show up around the time we open have a better chance of getting seated than people that show up at 1:30. However, seating is limited to 2 1/2 hours so if music is being offered starting at 12:30 then you would only be able to enjoy the music for 1 hour if you showed up at 11:00 am.
We do have an outdoor bar and grassed area for walkins. When open, people are serviced at our outdoor bar which offers walk up service only for a limited number of wines, spritzers and beers. Food service at this area is limited to snacks, cheeses, crackers, charcuturie boards and other items that are sold in our retail shop. We do not allow anyone to bring in any outside food for consumption on the property.
Thanks you for your understanding.