The Internet may not be the first place that you turn when deciding where to have dinner. But more regional restaurants have joined OpenTable, a reservations Web site. Used more heavily by high-end eateries in larger cities, OpenTable slowing is attracting some Southwest Virginia eateries.

202 Market in downtown Roanoke joined the site when the eatery opened in April. And last year, Metro, another downtown restaurant, was the first to register at OpenTable.

Other Southwest Virginia restaurants on OpenTable are Chateau Morrisette in Floyd and three Lynchburg eateries-- Shoemaker’s Fine Dining, Meriwether’s Market Restaurant and The Neighbors Place.

To make reservations, patrons log on, click the desired restaurant and enter the time and name. There is no fee to make reservations online.

Restaurants do pay for the OpenTable listing. Metro paid a $900 start-up fee and a $300 to $350 a month charge, said Andy Schlosser, the chef and owner, when the eatery joined the online service last year. Also, restaurants pay $1 for each reservation made.

Both Metro and 202 Market also link to OpenTable through their own Web sites. They are charged 25 cents per reservation that is made through their own Web site.

Stephanie Burger, assistant manager at 202 Market, said OpenTable reservations are catching on there, though they still do not make up the majority of reservations. Employees are making an effort to guide customers to the Web site when they reserve tables. Mainly local residents, rather than out-of-towners, are using OpenTable, she said.

It could be awhile before more local restaurants join the world of online reservations. But OpenTable follows the trend of many other reservations that we make using the Internet nowadays, from buying an airplane ticket or to reserving a room at a hotel.

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• Posted by Jenny Kincaid Boone in Restaurants
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