Surprised by ADR availability

[branv]

I've always done the 180+ ADR booking. Kind of gone along with the idea that with no ADR you're shut out of most TS. And I know for some restaurants that's CLEARLY a must do: CRT, Le Cellier, character. But I've been playing around for the past month with the online booking to see what kind of things are available last minute, and have been shocked that even the day of or a day out so many TS are available, including most of the signature restaurants. Even Citricos and Flying Fish often pop up for prime dining times, though Narc's is the one that seems harder to get or requires later dining. Beyond the usual suspects, the only signature that consistently isn't available last minute so far is California Grill.

I've also noticed same or next day availability pretty decent for non-character breakfast TS (Boma, Kona) and lunches.

So is this just a sign that things are slow this summer as reported, or is this actually a normal thing (beyond holiday season, of course)? Are ADR's really only a must for a handful of restaurants or as a safety net for those places you'll just wig if you miss out on? Right now it just appears that if you're not set on one place, you can still get into some of the better dining options even last minute. Thoughts?

 

[maggiew]

I think there might be some availability for the signature restaurants, but most of the good, normal restaurants are hard to get. Or at least the times aren't great (like 3 pm). And most character meals are not available too.

The ones that seem to be consistently available and at decent times are Nine Dragons, Marrakesh, Biergarten, Tokyo dining, LTT (lunch), The Plaza (lunch).

Maggie