How to get into the hottest restaurants

Book a table at that impossible-to-get-into restaurant with the help of these insider tips, tricks, and techniques. Check out this Howcast video tutorial on how to get into the hottest restaurants.

You Will Need

* Determination
* An online booking service
* The willingness to dine early

Step 1. Book four weeks in advance
Step 2. Hit them up on a Thursday
Step 3. Make your case
Step 4. Try Open Table
Step 5. Email the manager
Step 6. Eat early

Tip: Forget about going on the weekend. Your best bet for catching a cancellation is a weekday dinner or a Friday lunch. Tables for four are easier to get than tables for two.

Fact: The French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley is so popular — and difficult to get into — that there is a web site (www.thesandersens.com) devoted just to tips on how to get a reservation.