Valentine's Day is almost here, and if you're a typical procrastinator, you still need to make reservations for that special meal with that special someone.
Too bad for you.
"We have a list of about 30 people waiting for cancellations," said Holly Stauffer, a manager at Jambalaya's, 5942 Round Lake Road in Laingsburg.
And the situation is similar at other restaurants that take reservations. Tanya Scott, manager at Hershey's Steak and Seafood, said the likelihood of her restaurant getting a break is pretty slim. On Wednesday, the restaurant at 2682 E. Grand River Ave. was booked up from 4:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, and Scott said no one had canceled.
"Most of the time, once they make a reservation, they're not going to cancel," she said.
But don't give up quite yet, valiant valentine. There are still ways to pull off a romantic meal on Valentine's Day.
At Clara's, 637 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing, only half the restaurant is set aside for reservations, said Cindy Jubeck, Clara's assistant general manager.
The wait might be around 30 minutes, Jubeck said, but because most Valentine's Day diners are in twos, the time spent in line would likely be shorter than usual.
At least one of the restaurants at Eastwood Towne Center is trying a different approach to its first Valentine's Day in business.
Bravo!, an Italian restaurant, is taking names for "priority seating" starting at 8 a.m. Friday. Unlike a reservation, priority seating only gives those on the list preference over walk-in customers.
"In 15 minutes it'll probably be full," bartender Doug Kluge said.
If you're still having trouble, consider going to the grocery store and cooking your date a mouthwatering dish. Guys, that means something other than Easy Mac, hot dogs or microwave dinners.
What's that you say? Too much work? Your annoying roommate plans to host an anti-Valentine's Day bash? You don't have any clean dishes? OK, then it's time to consider some alternatives.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Stauffer of Jambalaya's said her New Orleans-themed restaurant still had lunch reservations available before 4 p.m. Friday. Saturday is also open for reservations.
The State Room at Kellogg Center has a valentine special Saturday; the place is booked Friday unless you wait past 9 p.m. for dinner. (It closes at 10 p.m.)
If reservations aren't your style, call-ahead seating is available at Olive Garden, 5015 Marsh Road in Okemos. Call the Italian restaurant to find out how long the wait is, then show up within that time.
And finally, one place you're almost guaranteed to get into on Valentine's Day without a wait: Hooter's, 172 E. Edgewood Blvd. in Lansing.
General manager Richard Douglas said a few couples do show up - but not many.
"We're not the big date hot spot for Valentine's Day," he said.
