Popular Maine restaurant requires diners to apply for reservations via postcard
Interested parties must include their name, address and contact info on the postcard
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Reverting back to the days of snail mail, a popular US restaurant will now only accept reservation requests sent by postcard.
The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine is a farm-to-kitchen restaurant that boasts an intimate dining room with 40 seats. But despite the small space, the restaurant received 10,000 calls for reservations last year between May and December.
Tired of being inundated with phone calls, chef Erin French decided to implement a new reservation tactic - interesting parties must now apply by pen and 3x5 paper.
Referencing a desire to return to their roots as “Mainers,” French shared the new booking method on the restaurant’s website.
She wrote: “Do you remember last April 1? I sure do. And if you were one of the many (many!) who were trying to get reservations last season at TLK, then you definitely do too.
“The response from last year’s reservation process made it clear that the request for seats now severely outweighs what we will ever be able to provide.”
Chef French continued: “Here at TLK we are old-fashioned, we are simple, we are slow, we are Mainers. We prefer human contact over computers and pen and paper over keyboards,” before announcing the new system of “good old-fashioned mail.”
According to the restaurant, reservation requests must now be mailed - and received between April 1 and April 10.
But just because you’ve taken the time to write out a postcard does not guarantee you a reservation.
Beginning on April 11, the restaurant will randomly select cards until all the reservation slots have been filled.
“You will need a 3x5 notecard, an envelope, and a postage stamp,” the website reads.
If your card is randomly selected, the restaurant will give you a call - at which point you can finish booking your reservation. If not, better luck next year.
On Facebook, the old-fashioned method is being praised.
“This is awesome! It adds to the charm and magic of The Lost Kitchen,” wrote one fan.
“Love this idea. Fingers crossed you pick mine,” said another.
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