Rose and Crown/illuminations

[Mrs Bus Driver]

I would like have dinner at R & C and try my luck at getting a patio table.There will only be 2 of us. I was wondering if some nights are better then others. We will be there late Sept early Oct. I would love to hear from others on this.
Thanks :mickey:

[Pirate Granny]

I've done this a number of times...and mostly with two people we were always out on the patio...and watched illuminations...however one thing to be aware of...most times we were eating ash from the fireworks...and the service was extremely slow...it was like they didn't care anymore as they knew the night was over...I believe we got free dessert for the extremely slow service more than a few times...When we've gone with more than two, we've always been inside, however R&C has their own private patio for watching the show. So the family went outside to watch between main course and dessert...and the service inside was always top-notch...go figure...normally the ADR went fine, except for the one R&C at Xmas and we waited almost 45 minutes and boy, was it cold outside...
Take a chance, and have a great time.
:pirate:

[AHOTE]

:old: Hello again. That's one of our favorite places to eat too. I can't say what day might be better than the next but from experience I'd have to go for Monday through Thursday. The weekends will be very busy that time of year due to Food & Wine. We ususally make our reservations for 7:45 - 8:00. It's a crapshoot as to whether or not you'll be able to get a patio table. We've had a patio table two out of three times by going to the check in area at 7:00 and "asking" if it was possible to get one upon our return. BTW " Andy E." from Kent England was a fabulous server, he should still be there for your trip.

[CaptSmee]

We've been lucky enough to be seated there twice during Illuminations. We are trying for a 3rd in May. Make your ressie for at least 8 or later to nab a seat outdoors, and avoid EMH nights.

[bicker]

I don't recall a night we've eaten there when the place wasn't totally full, so given that the competition for the terrace will always be the same: You'll have a 30% chance no matter what you do.

[benny]

We dined at R&C January 07 and it was great. We asked when we got there for a patio table (there were 2 of us) but unfortunately we didn't get one. However, our waitress was wonderful and just before illuminations started, she took us out to the patio, found us a couple of seats, got us a couple of drinks and we enjoyed illuminations with a fantastic view and then went back inside to our table for dessert when illuminations had finished. It really was wonderful every though we didn't get a patio table to eat.

Have a great time and enjoy!

[brewcrew26]

I had made 8 p.m. ressies for R&C for last Wednesday. We got there about 7:30 p.m. and asked if it would be possible for an outside table. We got lucky and they sat us about 15 minutes later. Most of the tables didn't start to fill up until after 8 p.m. They were all about 4-5 per party except for on table that had about 8. I think we were one of the only couples there.

I didn't mind the slower service since I wanted to take it all in. I don't remember our waiter's name off-hand but he was so nice! He brought us complimentary tea because it was cold out and DH didn't have a jacket with him that night.

I'd definitely try. It's worth a shot. Otherwise, you can always eat inside and they escort you out for the show and then you can go back inside and finish your meal.

[MOJoe]

We did this last Friday, an EMH evening. Our ADR was for 7:30, and when i checked in i asked very politely for an outside table. About 20 minutes later we were seated on the patio. It was a little chilly, but we enjoyed it very much. We had just finished dinner when Illuminations began, and our waitress, Grace, brought us some coffee and waited till the show was over to bring us our bill.
We had very good service, surprisingly good food, and we didn't have to move to see the fireworks. I did notice a bit of ash that landed on us, so i was glad dinner was over. But that would not stop me from enjoying R&C again.

[elmjimmlm]

I would love to do this but usually there are 10 of us and I dont think that we could get that large of a table...:(