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(My Free PR ) Foodies and fashionistas can now buy and sell hard-to-get reservations online.
TablePronto.com , a new start-up website that launched on October 10, 2007, allows diners to purchase coveted reservations at upscale eateries that are, officially, booked up for months.
The brainchild of founder and CEO Antoine Powell, the service creates a marketplace where those who have prime tables booked but find they can’t make their reservations can sell them to other fortunate foodies. So far, Tablepronto.com concentrates on restaurants in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, with plans to branch out to other culinary capitals soon.
TablePronto was born when Mr. Powell, a veteran analyst for financial services firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers, brokered just such a deal between two colleagues. “One of the guys I worked with had awesome reservations at Asia De Cuba but at the last minute was called out of town on business. Another associate had an important date but couldn’t get a reservation.
I had the idea for them to swap the reservation…and both were thrilled. That’s what gave me the idea for TablePronto.”
Some top tables currently up for grabs on the site include those at Mr. Chow, Il Cielo and Koi in LA and Nobu, Picasso and Aureole in Las Vegas, among other high-demand establishments.
The service is aimed at a variety of customers. Business types as well as blind dates can display clout by scoring a hard-to-get table on short notice. Travellers with only a small window of time in the city can get lucky with a last-minute opening at a hot spot. And gourmets can satisfy their sizzling curiosity about a celebrated chef that much sooner…for a price.
That price is set by the seller of the reservation. Powell says that the range is usually between $10 and $40, with $20 being the most popular going rate. TablePronto takes a 10% cut of the transaction.
So far, buyers seem happy to cough up for a chance to chow down in style. “I see TablePronto as a kind of time-saver,” says Powell. “People don’t have to plan months ahead. They can have all the luxury of a top dining experience even if they wait until the last minute. “
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STORY PREP INFORMATION:
Antoine Powell – Perky and approachable financial consultant and entrepreneur. Comfortable on camera; offers concise, energetic answers to questions about TablePronto, restaurant industry and start-up companies.
Seasonal tie-in – Antoine Powell will talk about the need for a last minute restaurant reservation option for the upcoming holiday season as well as Valentine Day options for forgetful boyfriends.
Assignment editors: Camera crews welcome.
Restaurants 
