El Bulli Reservations Topic

[Matthew Grant]

Sorry Tarka, I shouldn't have suggested that, it was maenat to be tongue in cheek. Jordyn, this information was in the public domain. If they really wanted to go to El Bulli, they would have found out the date easily enough.

[Matthew Grant]

They are working around the clock to get those confirmations out! I got my preferred reservation thorugh yesterday sent at 02:07am! I guess that they are going sequentially, my reservation was for May.

[dallardice]

Sequentially makes sense, just got our confirmation for late August. We'd offered dates in April, May, July and August, so I guess they fill from the start first, and pushed us to our latest date since they have fewest reservations that late in the season.

[Bux]

It gets hot in August, but since neighboring Roses, the closest place to stay, is a beach resort and many Europeans take their vacation in August, I would expect demand for reservations to be high then.

[c o c k t a i l]

Perhaps this should properly go on the Spanish boards, but anyway, would anyone like my reservation for El Bulli on 18 August in the evening? I can't make it, sadly...

Moved to the Spain board -- Jonathan

[robert brown]

How many people? There is someone I can try.

[docsconz]

If only it were a week later

[Matthew Grant]

Isn't this meant to be the greatest restaurant in the world, fully booked months in advance, imposible to secure a reservation? Why no takers?

[jackal10]

I'm tempted, but it would need to be for two, and we'd also have to make the logistics work...

[robert brown]

Matthew, I would say because:

Apparently it's a singleton.

Cocktail is offering it to a limited audience.

Most people have made their August plans.

The restaurant is not easy to get to.

Believe me, the restaurant is inundated with calls from people hoping for cancellations.

[ginger chef]

i,m waiting for a reply as i am able to go.

[Bux]

Matthew, I would say because:

Apparently it's a singleton.

Cocktail is offering it to a limited audience.

Most people have made their August plans.

The restaurant is not easy to get to.

Believe me, the restaurant is inundated with calls from people hoping for cancellations.

Robert covered the major reasons. I wonder how many of our members could arrange their schedules or afford to be at El Bulli that evening. There are reasons someone may not want to take a reservation offered by a stranger and even better reasons why a stranger might not want to offer his reservation to a stranger on a message board. I don't know cocktail and I have no reason to assume this not on the up and up. However, I would advise both cocktail and the member who takes the reservation to be sure the reservation is changed to the new name. Cocktail should protect himself against the abuse of his good name, and the taker should guard against the possibility the reservation is not honored. Whoever takes the reservation should call the restaurant to be sure his name is on the list.

[Steve Martin]

Wouldn't a single reservation have a table that could feasibly sit two people?

[Schielke]

I actually have my vacation planned this year for that week. I don't, however, think that the change in plans would go over too well with the little lady... Also, fundage is an issue too. Alms for the poor???!

[c o c k t a i l]

OK, sorry I had posted this on the UK boards thinking to attract replies from people not necessarily already planning a trip to Spain and it's taken me a while to realise it had come here...the reservation is for two, and it's at 8pm on Monday 18 August.

[c o c k t a i l]

And I should add, I only put it on egullet rather than giving it back to the restaurant because I thought it would be nicer for someone really interested to go rather than just someone with too much money and a bit of luck. Clearly I've become overly attached to this reservation over the six months I've nursed it for and am seeking a good home for it.

[Bux]

Cocktail, my caveats were purely abstract and not meant to cast doubt on your offer. It's for your own sake and protection against having your name associated with "no show" that I suggest the name on the reservation be changed if El Bulli permits that. I can well understand your attachment to this reservation. I suspect you may feel more like an organ doner than someone giving up a pet for adoption. We should all appreciate it that you come here looking for a deserving diner.

[ginger chef]

still waiting for a reply, i'm already packed and standing at the door with my passport

[bcnchef]

If the reservation is still available, I will take it.

I had a reservation two years ago that I had to miss, and have been terribly distraught about it ever since. I live in Barcelona, so can definitely make it. You can send an email to jordi@foodlover.com (I tried to send a PM or an email via the board but was unable to)...

Would love to share stories about other restaurants in town if anyone is interested!

Jordi.

[susanbyrd]

I will gladly take the el Bulli reservation for August 18 if it can be for 2 people. It's our 30th anniversary. Please let me know. Thanks Susan

[c o c k t a i l]

Right, it's gone to the ginger chef who was first in. Thank you everyone.

[Bux]

As eGullet was the midwife, or unofficial broker here, we'll expect a post on the meal as our cut. Enjoy yourself ginger chef. We look forward to your posts not only on El Bulli, but for reports from Martin's kitchen as well.

[ginger chef]

not a problem, all is coming together well now got my reservations in at zuberoa, akelare, arzak, mugaritz,panier fleuri ,urepel and fagollaga just to start me off. having regular emails from a chef also stage at mb and all looks good. not long now.

[boris]

Someone else recently inquired about reservations at El Bulli for the next season. I have emailed them and their first response suggested I contact them after September, which I did. A recent response to specific date requests was as follows:

RESERVATIONS 2004

Apreciados Señores,

Due to the extraordinary demand that we are receiving for 2004 we are surpassed and without options to find a solution in most cases.

We will try to give you an answer as soon as possible but we are obliged to explain you that the management of all the requests will be complicated and slow to go on with.

If at the end we can not find a solution for your request you can resend it one month before of an available date for you and we will revise if there are changes that permit us to find a solution. In that case we will contact you to revise together the option again.

Please accept our sincere thanks for your interest.

Atentamente,

Luis García

P.S. For my wife and I this will be a return trip from 2 years ago. This time we will also hit Arzac in the Basque area. How far ahead should we start arranging resto reservations to avoid disappointment?

Many thanks,

Mark E.

[robert brown]

Mark, what part of the year will you be there? Your best shot at el Bulli, if you don't get a table by e-mail, is to phone a day before, or the day of, that you can go. Sunday night is the best night to call at the time of the year the restaurant is open every night (summer time).

el Bulli is the only restaurant in and near Barcelona that presents this problem. I would, however, have your resevations in place before you leave. I can't imagine anywhere being booked day after day a month in advance. There will be odd times when a restaurant may be booked up somewhat in advance such as Hispania in Arenas de Mar for Sunday lunch or Can Fabes or some spots in Barcelona Saturday dinner. Can Majo for weekend lunches in beach weather, etc.