Valet Parking

[Actium]

So I took the future wife out to dinner yesterday. We couldn't find any restaurants open for some reason, and then we finally decided to try this one Italian place we've been meaning to go to. Anyway, it started off bad for me because of the dreaded valet parking. Mandatory.

I can't stand valet parking, and will usually utter this randomly after being forced to do it. So I am wondering how other's feel about it.

In case you're wondering, the food at the place stunk. We won't be going back. Unfortunately, those valet jokers got a tip because otherwise I would have felt like a jerk. Don't worry, though, I only gave $2.

[|Elflocko|]

Valet is all over the place here, and it's free (unless the casino is slammed and valet is "full", then I hold up a 20 and ask if it's "really" full).



If it's really close and not too busy, I'll self-park, but I hate walking 3 miles in the parking garages in 116 degree heat, so yeah we valet all the time...

[|Bengal Migration|]

The only place I ever used valet consistently was in Cincy at the team hotel when I stayed there on game weekends.

The first time we stayed there, I got all pissed off because the valet waved me off from approaching, and I was like "WTF! My Dodge isn't good enough! I'm staying in the hotel you mother!" Then I saw Chad Johnson roll up and get out of his car in front of me and realized that we had randomly scored the team hotel, and that the players were just getting first dibs.

But in general, I don't use the valet if there is another option. I tend to have a few $$ invested in the stereo, so handing someone I don't know the keys to my car is not something I care to do.

[Jamie_B]

[quote name='KangarWhoDey' post='676451' date='Jun 30 2008, 07:38 PM']The only place I ever used valet consistently was in Cincy at the team hotel when I stayed there on game weekends.

The first time we stayed there, I got all pissed off because the valet waved me off from approaching, and I was like "WTF! My Dodge isn't good enough! I'm staying in the hotel you mother!" [color="#FF0000"]Then I saw Chad Johnson roll up and get out of his car in front of me and realized that we had randomly scored the team hotel, and that the players were just getting first dibs.[/color]

But in general, I don't use the valet if there is another option. I tend to have a few $$ invested in the stereo, so handing someone I don't know the keys to my car is not something I care to do.[/quote]


No wonder you've never liked him, he cut you in line.

[-GoBengals-]

im not against it... i prefer it if im in for a long stay, and not likely to use my car.. but if im in and out all day its a pain in the ass... you can easily spent $50-75 on valet over a long weekend if your driving alot..

[ChicagoBengal]

As long as it's an inconvenience to park, I'm all about the valet. We stayed for 4 days at the Hyatt Regency in San Diego back in January an between 2-4 bucks every time I came back (and a couple of times when we were leaving) as well as the "lobby help" along with the various restaurant excursions we dropped well over a c-note on valet tips. And it was worth every penny for the convenience. Plus all the valet's were super-professional and courteous which is a huge factor.

Then again, if there's a prime parking space available the valet will be graciously ignored.

And for the record, 2 bills isn't a bad tip, Actium. It's average, actually.

[|Bengal Migration|]

[quote name='Jamie_B' post='676452' date='Jul 1 2008, 10:39 AM']No wonder you've never liked him, he cut you in line. [/quote]

[Actium]

[quote name='ChicagoBengal' post='676464' date='Jun 30 2008, 08:00 PM']As long as it's an inconvenience to park, I'm all about the valet. We stayed for 4 days at the Hyatt Regency in San Diego back in January an between 2-4 bucks every time I came back (and a couple of times when we were leaving) as well as the "lobby help" along with the various restaurant excursions we dropped well over a c-note on valet tips. And it was worth every penny for the convenience. Plus all the valet's were super-professional and courteous which is a huge factor.

Then again, if there's a prime parking space available the valet will be graciously ignored.

[b]And for the record, 2 bills isn't a bad tip, Actium. It's average, actually[/b].[/quote]




I can't win

[Rumble In the Jungle]

not sure, but im going to try and offer free Valet to my customers once the res. opens depends on how busy it will be if at all.

[cinci1fan1]

[quote name='Rumble In the Jungle' post='676473' date='Jun 30 2008, 08:28 PM']not sure, but im going to try and offer free Valet to my customers once the res. opens depends on how busy it will be if at all.[/quote]

Its opening near centerville right. That would be a nice area for good restaurants

[STRAYCAT]

Went to one of Ruby's places and did the valet...this was back in 95-96 and when we got the car back i noticed 1 mile more on the odometer. There was no reason for it because of where we were...never used them again.

[BENGALS666]

Every city is different in it's valet scenario. NY, Chicago, Vegas, Atlanta etc.. you're gonna valet whether you like it or not. When I'm at home in Nashville I'll valet at Morton's - the valets know me by name there and I get a front door spot. The Gulch is an area that central to a group of downtown restaurants and has one valet for all at NC. I usually tip $5 there. If I'm on the road with band gear and staying at a hotel that offers it I'll always use a valet and bell check my gear. Let them lug that shit around.
If you're gonna spend in a joint that has valet there's no point in parking down the road to save ten bucks...

[ChicagoBengal]

[quote name='BENGALS666' post='676494' date='Jun 30 2008, 08:37 PM']Every city is different in it's valet scenario. NY, Chicago, Vegas, Atlanta etc.. you're gonna valet whether you like it or not. When I'm at home in Nashville [b]I'll valet at Morton's[/b] - the valets know me by name there and I get a front door spot. The Gulch is an area that central to a group of downtown restaurants and has one valet for all at NC. I usually tip $5 there. If I'm on the road with band gear and staying at a hotel that offers it I'll always use a valet and bell check my gear. Let them lug that shit around.
If you're gonna spend in a joint that has valet there's no point in parking down the road to save ten bucks...[/quote]
As in Morton's Steak House? I know they're not solely up here.

[Rumble In the Jungle]

[quote name='cinci1fan1' post='676481' date='Jun 30 2008, 09:44 PM']Its opening near centerville right. That would be a nice area for good restaurants[/quote]

yes, actually it is in centerville on 725 across from the BMW dealership.

[ChicagoBengal]

[quote name='Rumble In the Jungle' post='676534' date='Jul 1 2008, 07:28 AM']yes, actually it is in centerville on 725 across from the BMW dealership.[/quote]
Totally off-topic, but I just noticed that a Melting Pot is supposed to open about 1 minute from my house. Carry on.

[Go Skins]

DC has a lot of this because the street parking is limited and the garage parking for the most part on weekends doesn't exist. Then again, with all the bus systems, Metrorail, and taxies all over the place, the options are there to avoid valet parking.

The DC Improv has a valet parking that you are forced to use, costs $9 (at least the last time I went there) and they just put the car in a garage.

The new Nationals ballpark has valet parking for 40 bucks.

[Actium]

[quote name='Rumble In the Jungle' post='676473' date='Jun 30 2008, 08:28 PM']not sure, but im going to try and offer free Valet to my customers once the res. opens depends on how busy it will be if at all.[/quote]

I think as long as there are other parking options it's cool--I never use it if I have a choice though

[Actium]

[quote name='BENGALS666' post='676494' date='Jun 30 2008, 09:37 PM']Every city is different in it's valet scenario. NY, Chicago, Vegas, Atlanta etc.. you're gonna valet whether you like it or not. When I'm at home in Nashville I'll valet at Morton's - the valets know me by name there and I get a front door spot. The Gulch is an area that central to a group of downtown restaurants and has one valet for all at NC. I usually tip $5 there. If I'm on the road with band gear and staying at a hotel that offers it I'll always use a valet and bell check my gear. Let them lug that shit around.
If you're gonna spend in a joint that has valet there's no point in parking down the road to save ten bucks...[/quote]

I was in Nashville for work a couple of weeks ago. Lovely town. Downtown is really pretty, and I went to the Stockyards for dinner. It was delicioso.

Anyway, I disagree about the last part. I'm not exactly rich but I like to treat my bride-to-be to a nice dinner now and again. That's usually a struggle for me, as I tell her to get anything she wants, while I will secretly order the cheapest thing on the menu so I can (barely) afford it. An extra ten bucks, while it sounds paltry, would put me over my limited budget. Plus there's the principle of the thing--I don't like strangers in my ride.

[Enon Bengal]

Really, really hate it

[Jamie_B]

[quote name='Go Skins' post='676539' date='Jul 1 2008, 09:11 AM']DC has a lot of this because the street parking is limited and the garage parking for the most part on weekends doesn't exist. Then again, with all the bus systems, Metrorail, and taxies all over the place, the options are there to avoid valet parking.

The DC Improv has a valet parking that you are forced to use, costs $9 (at least the last time I went there) and they just put the car in a garage.

The new Nationals ballpark has valet parking for 40 bucks.[/quote]


Then you dont know where to park or go to the snooty areas, I have never not once had a issue parking on the weekends in DC. Now of course when I go downtown it's usually at night, and when it's during the day (on weekends) I usually take metro.

[BENGALS666]

[quote name='Actium' post='676568' date='Jul 1 2008, 10:20 AM']I was in Nashville for work a couple of weeks ago. Lovely town. Downtown is really pretty, and I went to the Stockyards for dinner. It was delicioso.

Anyway, I disagree about the last part. I'm not exactly rich but I like to treat my bride-to-be to a nice dinner now and again. That's usually a struggle for me, as I tell her to get anything she wants, while I will secretly order the cheapest thing on the menu so I can (barely) afford it. An extra ten bucks, while it sounds paltry, would put me over my limited budget. Plus there's the principle of the thing--I don't like strangers in my ride.[/quote]

I can see that.. So often it's just a rental car if I'm outta town so it's like who gives a shit.
Stockyards! - good choice.. Did you make it down to Lower Broad to see bitchin' pickers in every window?

[Actium]

[quote name='BENGALS666' post='676604' date='Jul 1 2008, 01:48 PM']I can see that.. So often it's just a rental car if I'm outta town so it's like who gives a shit.
Stockyards! - good choice.. Did you make it down to Lower Broad to see bitchin' pickers in every window?[/quote]

No, I was only in town for a half a day to do a deposition (actually I was just there, I didn't do much). I'd like to go back when I have more time

[WhoDeyThink]

I'm too cheap I guess.
I'll walk the extra 70feet. I aint scerd

[Go Skins]

[quote name='Jamie_B' post='676584' date='Jul 1 2008, 01:04 PM']Then you dont know where to park or go to the snooty areas, I have never not once had a issue parking on the weekends in DC. Now of course when I go downtown it's usually at night, and when it's during the day (on weekends) I usually take metro.[/quote]

Depending on where I am going, yeah, I know where to park in DC that is usually open. However, Adams Morgan is a great example of never finding a parking space (although I haven't been there in years).

There are times at night that I have had issues. It also depends on how far you are willing to walk, and some people won't walk more than 2 blocks. Personally, I could care less, I have walked from Verizon Center to the Smithsonian Metro stop before.

What are you forgetting about Metro on weekends is there is routine maintenance work that is being done and you could be waiting a half hour for a train.

[Jamie_B]

[quote name='Go Skins' post='676742' date='Jul 2 2008, 08:31 AM']Depending on where I am going, yeah, I know where to park in DC that is usually open. However, Adams Morgan is a great example of never finding a parking space (although I haven't been there in years).

There are times at night that I have had issues. It also depends on how far you are willing to walk, and some people won't walk more than 2 blocks. Personally, I could care less, I have walked from Verizon Center to the Smithsonian Metro stop before.

What are you forgetting about Metro on weekends is there is routine maintenance work that is being done and you could be waiting a half hour for a train.[/quote]


Ah Adams Morgan, seriously overrated part of town, that I could see.