Andy Q.
Yelp
At Le Bouchon Bordelais (the cork from Bordeaux), I play the nice game. I'd been there the night before, to find a full restaurant, but when asked if we wanted to make a reservation for the next night was too flustered to do it. The next morning, realising that we were free, and would love to eat there, I sent an email request, even though their website asks for 24 hours notice.
The lovely Clémence responded in the affirmative and when we arrived, I'm sure we got the nicest table in the place, just outside the door, a little less noisy and exposed to a lovely summer night. I thanked her profusely for accepting our reservation. She in turn said it's a great pleasure to do it for people who are lovely. The nice game, see? Aside from the fact that part of our Canadian brain programming, it's not a bad habit to have, particularly for those in the hospitality business.
We really were too full, after a few days of fine restaurants in Bordeaux, to try the fancier 5 course option, and perhaps only had two courses each. They were really wonderful and perhaps the best meal we had in Bordeaux (among other pretty good meals). The cooking was both refined and down-to-earth at the same time, and matched with wonderful service and a great atmosphere, this was a really great experience.
Be sure you make that reservation though. It's a small restaurant, and during busy August, you won't get in otherwise.