DEAR ABBY: I am the owner of Chez Josephine, a popular French bistro in the theater district of New York. I care about the well-being of my customers, particularly those who have disabilities.
However, again and again, the same difficult situation arises. Many times I am not informed when the reservation is made that someone in the party will be using a wheelchair, walker, wearing braces or walking with crutches. When I am informed in advance, I can reserve a table in the front section of my restaurant to facilitate their entrance and exit so they can avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of having to maneuver through a very crowded room. I can also reserve tables that provide extra space, since sometimes those with physical challenges cannot be moved from the wheelchair to a restaurant seat.
Abby, please urge your readers to inform the person who takes their reservation that they are bringing someone who has special needs. All restaurants, I assure you, respect those needs and are eager to make the dining experience as pleasant and enjoyable as possible. -- JEAN-CLAUDE BAKER, NEW YORK CITY
DEAR JEAN-CLAUDE: That's terrific advice from a restaurateur who knows his business and is conscientious about providing the smoothest service possible. All that's required is a little forethought before making the reservation.