Can (and should) I make an ADR for 1 person?

[SpinTheWorld]

Really? Do they do this with parties of three because they don't want to waste a four top? I could maybe understand this during peak season, but even so - to turn away a paying customer without knowing for sure that you will get the party size you want, is a bad way to do business. The restaurant has no way of knowing whether the one person will order a full app/entree/dessert meal and the two people will split a dessert and water. Just because there are more people does not mean there is more revenue.

You are completely right. There is no guarantee that more people is more business. Certainly there have been tables of 4 that have split an entree and all had water, where the 1 top eats a three course meal and drinks 2 beer. But, unfortunately, the rest is true. There are times, at any season, when we are told to not seat parties of one. It's very much not right.

 

[SpinTheWorld]

It's not uncommon to find reservations available for two and no availability for one. So I don't lie, I just reserve a table for two.

100% right. As far as paying a cancel few, as long as you 'drop' the second from your party two days before, you're fine. The fee only applies to select restaurants.