Chicago has a ton of amazing places to eat and some of them are virtually impossible to get into. Pure Wow had a post on how to “Turn the Tables” with some new to Chicago apps: Table 8 and Reserve. I also love Open Table for Chicago and all over.
Table 8 gets restaurant partners to hold a certain number of prime-time reservations each night. You can browse these via the app, then pay a fee to book. This service is now available in Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC. I checked out Chicago and for $20, I could get a table for two at 7:30 this Saturday night at Trencherman. A few places including Bohemian House were free for the same time. Pretty cool! I am totally going to try this! Also, if you invite a friend, they get $10 off and you get $20 when they book their first reservation. We’re friends, right? You can get $10 towards your first reservation if you sign up with this link and enter ericas68. App is free and available via iOS and Android.
Reserve is “like that magic hotel concierge who can get you in anywhere.” It helps you find new restaurants, book the best tables and “get treated like a VIP once you’re there.” When you’re ready to settle up with your server at the end of the night, Reserve charges the meal–plus tax, tip and its own $5 fee–to your card on file. For really hot tables, you can “bid” by paying a surcharge (one I looked at in NYC for this weekend was 30% over menu price.) Other places offer charity bidding and some you can request and they will let you know if there is availability in your time slot. Not bad for $5. I am going to try this one, too!
Open Table has been around helping connect diners and restaurants since 1998! That is like 100 years in internet years. They not have restaurants all over the US and the world. They have a website and free apps for iOS, Android and Windows phones. You can book tables and get dining points. When you get to 5,000 points, get a $50 dining check for any Open Table restaurant. I have used this app and site so many times that I am a VIP!
What are your restaurant reservation secret weapons? Please leave tips in the comments.
It’s Friday, so here are some great deals for you to check out! Don’t forget to check ebates, Coupon Cabin and Active Junky before you buy! Also check Amex and Paypal for immediate cash back offers when you use their payment method.
- Save 20% off one full priced item on Backcountry.com with code SUMMER20 through 5/25 + get 16% cash back through 5/18 if you start with ebates.
- Save 50% on Tiny Prints via Gilt City through 5/28.
- Get 10% off $50 plus free shipping at Eastbay with code LKS10AFD through 5/31 + get 16% cash back through 5/18 if you start with ebates.
- Now through May 18 get an extra 30% off all shoes & handbags + everything for men at Nieman Marcus Last Call
- Get 15% off on a Summer Retreat at my fave Red Mountain Spa for trips through 8/31 with code SMR15.
- Get 20% of on awesome accessories from Makr plus free shipping over $150 through 5/15 – no code.
- Get 20% off at Shoebuy plus free shipping and free returns with code MAY20 through June 2 and get 12% cash back if you start with ebates.
- Get $5 off Run10Feed10 in any city – including Chicago – with code R10AGAIN.
Ongoing Deals:
- Check out awesome, healthy foods The FEED and get $10 coupon good when you spend $25.
- Gilt City has awesome national and local deals. New members of Gilt City get 25% off their first purchase with this link.
- Get awesome deals for men, women, home and travel on Rue La La.
- Check out awesome sportwear deals at Active Gear Up. New customers get $10 off with this link.
- Get groceries delivered in one hour from Instacart and get $10 off first order + free delivery. (Plus $5 for every friend you refer up to $25, too!)
- Save $25 on any purchase from Kore Fit with code START15.
- New customers, get $25 OFF your first order of custom women’s wear from eShakti.
- One King’s Lane is having awesome limited time sales on everything you need for your home and more!
- Get up to 50% off on hotel rooms with Travel Pony plus new users get a $35 off credit to use on hotel stays of over $200.
- Check out a ton of great sales and coupons on all of your active gear and get cash back with Active Junky.
- Check out awesome deals on athletic gear and trips from The Clymb. Act fast deals are up for a limited time. Start with Active Junky to get an additional 12% cash back.
- Check out Hautelook. Hello… flash sales from Nordstom/Nordstrom Rack
- Do you have an American Express Card? Sign up for Amex Offers for great easy to use offers. Just click and buy and your account is credited
- Resolved to get fit? Get 50% off your first outfit at Fabletics. I LOVE mine!
We are headed to NYC and Brooklyn this weekend. I am running the Brooklyn Half and The Husband is coming with to cheer our friend, Emily, in her first half! We also get to celebrate Kathy’s b-day. What are you up to?
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways!
*Please note: This post contains some affiliate/referral links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Some are just good deals I found and shared. Either way, you win!