California dreaming meets real-world data at this Vancouver spot

The three pillars

“We really focus on the three pillars of the restaurant industry: service, food, and vibe,” Denton explains. It’s an approach that has allowed Dovetail to carve out a unique niche in Vancouver, where the competition is fierce.

Featuring fresh produce and fun pastas, the restaurant’s American cuisine is complemented by an enticing cocktail and wine list. Add in some music so that the vibe’s just right, and you’ve got what Denton calls “your one-stop shop in Yaletown.”

Using technology loved by diners

Great food and atmosphere are just part of the equation. Denton credits much of Dovetail’s success to smart use of technology, particularly OpenTable.

“OpenTable really does have the market share,” he notes. “Knowing that a lot of tourists and people looking for a place to dine without a specific restaurant in mind use OpenTable, it was a no-brainer for us to use them right from the beginning.”

OpenTable’s flexibility has played a central role in making the most out of Dovetail’s revenue. Denton and his team segment their dining room for lunch, happy hour, and dinner service.

Customization capabilities allow them to focus on shoulder periods and slower times, which, in turn, generate targeted marketing efforts through the platform.

Going above and beyond for guests

One of the most valuable features for Dovetail has been the guest tagging system. “Being able to recognize when we have a regular, a friend of an owner, or a friend of a staff member is super important for us,” Denton says. “We can make sure we go above and beyond for those guests.”

The waitlist function has also proven its worth. With text notifications, Dovetail can manage guests more effectively so there’s quick table turns without sacrificing the dining experience. The attention to detail has paid off—when the team noticed they were maxing out on two-top reservations for lunch, they worked with their OpenTable rep to improve their availability.

The result? An impressive 40% increase in lunch reservations.

Denton is equally enthusiastic about OpenTable’s private dining lead generation. In just two months, Dovetail received 30 leads through the platform, with an impressive conversion rate of over 10%. For a new restaurant looking to establish its private dining business, this has been transformative.

A little help from your friends

According to Denton, perhaps the most significant advantage is the ongoing support from OpenTable. “Having a rep with OpenTable from the beginning, all the way through your experience, has been great,” he says. “They’re quick, they’re efficient, and they know what they’re talking about, whether it’s integrations or how a feature works.”

Personalized support extends to having a local representative who understands the unique challenges of the Vancouver market. “Having a rep that lives in Vancouver who can be face-to-face with you is super important,” Denton emphasizes. “It’s nice sometimes to be able to get into a meeting, look face-to-face, and deal with things quickly alongside each other.”

Creating unforgettable dining experiences

As Dovetail continues to grow, Denton remains confident in his choice of reservation platform. With OpenTable’s tools and support, he’s able to focus on what matters most—creating unforgettable dining experiences that keep guests coming back for more.

In the heart of Yaletown, where the echoes of train whistles have given way to the buzz of excited diners, Dovetail is writing its own success story.