Just For You: In The Next CulinaryWoman Newsletter

Why restaurant reservations may prove elusive

I had a happy surprise this week, when two friends with whom I worked at the New York Times popped up in New Orleans. They invited me to dinner, and asked me to pick a place.

I asked if they’d like to eat at Commander’s Palace, since I live across the street and have a gift card that I want to use. They enthusiastically said yes, so I got on the restaura…