The surge of new restaurant openings in London these days is astonishing. There is barely a day that goes by without an opening and trying to keep up with them can be time consuming. Surely it has to slow down? There are only so many Londoners to fill the tables, it’s just a question of when will the slow-down happen. And while restaurants across the city are battling it out against each other, it also means a new wave of restaurant booking apps, websites, and suppliers also looking to capitalise in on it all.
CityHawk is one of those. A brand new app solely dedicated to android and iPhone users (currently). They have no website to book through, apart from detailing the app – which i love. No conflicting information, unlike with other competitors such as Book A Table – whereby the app vs the website are worlds apart and i find my frustration always leading me back to the desktop site to get exactly what i want.
I’ve had first hand experience on the CityHawk app so there is no hiding here and as always i like to be very honest – and hopefully never too mean. With all that said, CityHawk is probably now my favourite restaurant booking app. There’s been a couple of glitches along the way but the guys at head office have been very quick to rectify this and this is a new app so perfection does take time – much like new restaurant openings.
In short, don’t expect a huge selection of restaurants on offer (yet anyway). The team scour the best restaurants there are to offer across London filtering out the bad in the hope that not only do you book that table you desperately wanted, but also safely recommending well reviewed and trusted establishment (they won’t being sending you to Pizza Depress (Express). In little more than three taps and two seconds you’ll be able to secure the restaurant. Which will also bring up any exclusive offers and deals, something I’m very partial to – who doesn’t like a good bargain.
I made my booking at Michael Riemenschneider’s new restaurant, Canvas in Marylebone. Once the reservation is confirmed the app lets you enter any email addresses for invites and whisks away a message to those lucky people you invited, shortly after then bringing up a map locating your current location, and directions to the restaurant – i think this stage in the app really sets CityHawk apart from the rest. Its just so easy and simple! Normally your straight on to email’s or WhatsApp to send your invite, then opening Google maps for directions. There’s no need for multiple app openings – it’s just the one. Check in once you arrive and at the end of it all – give it a thumbs down or thumbs up. You can’t book restaurants ahead through the app, this is for those last minute bookings and spontaneous dining.
If you know me well, you’ll know i I love eating in fine dining establishments so the app works perfectly in to my busy lifestyle and it’s ‘smart’ – it learns from previous bookings to tailor what it shows you. Which could be bad in my case and make me bankrupt a lot soon than i anticipated! But, with the restaurant being hand-picked, i did feel my meal at Michael Riemenschneider was much more style over substance and needs some desperate re-thinking. Still, I’m really glad i tried it as it’s been on my bucket list ever since its opening earlier this year.
So who are the clever people behind CityHawk you ask?
It’s three people, CEO Aaron Ross and founders Shauna McGill & Laurence Carver. They’ve got some substantial backing from the founder of Toptable and a team whose backgrounds come from some of the main restaurant app competitors around.
CityHawk is going places! And it’s not just a good app, it’s a fantastic one which is different from all the rest and very unique in its own. Simple, easy to use – and somehow manages to carry a little bit of class. It’s one more thing that helps to organise your life and make it a little bit simpler. If i had my own way I’d be taking this app across Europe because I’m still waiting for that one programme that can follow me around on my culinary travels through Europe.
Three Taps, Two Seconds, One Booking – that’s all it takes. You can download the app for Android and iPhone users HERE
Aw – many thanks Gary… glad you’re loving app! A Europe-wide version would indeed be fantastic – let’s just say we’re working on it… 😉