How I Got 14 People Into Cru on a Saturday in August

Let me tell you about the time I achieved the impossible. The grail quest of bachelorette planning. The thing everyone told me couldn't be done.

I got 14 women into Cru on a Saturday night in August.

Here's exactly how it happened, because I believe in sharing knowledge with my fellow planners.

Step 1: Accept Reality

First, let's acknowledge the facts. Cru is THE dinner spot. It's on the water. It's photogenic. Everyone wants to be there. The waitlist for peak season reservations opens in spring and fills up approximately seventeen seconds later.

A group of 14? On a Saturday? In August? Every reasonable person told me no.

I am not a reasonable person. I am a PROFESSIONAL.

Step 2: The Multi-Pronged Approach

I did not rely on one strategy. I used ALL the strategies.

Prong 1: The Early Bird
I set an alarm for the MINUTE reservations opened. Phone in hand. Browser ready. I tried to book the full party. No luck. Maximum party size for online booking: 6.

Prong 2: The Split Reservation
Fine. I booked two tables of 6, same time, same night. Different names. One table under the bride's name, one under mine. Would they seat us together? Unclear. But I had tables.

Prong 3: The Phone Call
I called the restaurant. I explained the situation. A bachelorette. 14 wonderful women. A bride who DREAMS of waterfront dining. Could they possibly accommodate us at one long table?

The answer was: maybe. They'd check when we arrived.

Step 3: The Day-Of

The day of the reservation, I sent the bride and half the group ahead for cocktails at the raw bar. Strategic softening. Meanwhile, I arrived early to check in and speak to the host directly.

I was polite. I was charming. I was wearing my best bachelorette-planning energy. I explained again: one group, here to celebrate, totally flexible, will tip EXTREMELY well.

The host looked at me. Looked at the reservation book. Looked at the ceiling.

"We had a cancellation. If you're okay with 7:30 instead of 8:00, I can put you at the big table on the patio."

READER. I COULD HAVE CRIED.

Step 4: The Victory

Fourteen women. One long table. Waterfront. Sunset. The bride literally said, "This is the most magical night of my life" and she wasn't even drunk yet (she would be later, responsibly).

We ordered oysters. We ordered champagne. We took approximately 400 photos. The sunset was cooperative. The food was incredible. The vibes were immaculate.

What I Learned

The lessons:

1. Book early. Like, the SECOND reservations open. Have your phone ready. Have the website loaded. Have snacks, because this might take a while.

2. Have backups. I had two other restaurants on standby. Always have backups.

3. Be nice. I cannot stress this enough. Restaurant staff deal with demanding people all day. Be the person who makes their day better, not worse. It matters.

4. Be flexible. That 7:30 slot wasn't my first choice. But it was the ONLY choice that made this happen. Take the W.

5. Call the restaurant. Online systems have limits. Humans have creativity. Sometimes a phone call unlocks things the website can't.

Can You Replicate This?

Honestly? Maybe. Every situation is different. Every restaurant is different. Every night is different.

But if you try everything, ask nicely, and stay flexible? Sometimes miracles happen.

It's giving main character energy and I'm obsessed.