I love Le Notre - only ever had great food and good service there, both branches. However, I have to agree it's stupid to turn away customers and refuse to combine tables. Doesn't make sense at all. so not surprised you were pissed off Novita77.

I had similar experience at Bentley's in Ramada couple of weekends ago - they will only have max 6 people per table. We did know that, and chanced our arm and asked if we could bring 2 extra friends and put a chair at either end of the table, but they were totally adamant and refused, even tho there was enough room. That was their policy and we had to stick with it. One of our friends who was with us and is manager of a big hotel here was horrified by this - in his place, customer satisfaction is top of the list. Was a great meal by the way!