Honest feedback - looks like you're trying to charge me for something that's free. Calling a restaurant to make a reservation is not that big of a hassle.
If I'm planning to drop $250-300/mth on a couple of great dinners, then another $10 to add an element of surprise and save me from all the research and bookings is well worth it.
I wonder where Brisbane Australia is on their roll-out schedule... We have multiple nice restaurants now, and thankfully both are now open later than 8.30pm.
Much like the concierge services (ie Magic) out there, we want The Loft Club to provide simplify people's habits of dining out. The added element of a pleasant surprise - as you mentioned - is something we want to focus on too as we build out the service.
Happy to chat more in person, DM me @derrickko.
This isn't to say that they shouldn't take restaurant money, there's certainly precedent for it and people love Yelp. Being transparent (or simply keeping quality up) would be a good check.
The other 5%, on the other hand, is where most of the money and VC's happen to live.
Choosing a restaurant to eat at is such a small barrier, but it feels huge (kinda like picking an episode on NetFlix).
I definitely see the appeal in getting an e-mail saying: "Hobotron, a table for 2 is reserved at Lait de Tétine this Thursday at 7PM." and when you show up your preferred cocktail is already on the table.
Could partner up with Uber/Limo/Whatever to provide rides to/from in the event you wish to indulge to excess.