Every call answered, every table checked properly.
Thomas picks up your restaurant's phone the way your best host would — friendly, quick, and never guessing at what's actually free.
Answers instantly
No hold music, no voicemail. The call is picked up the moment it comes in.
Understands the request
Party size, date, time, and any special requirements — gathered in plain conversation.
Checks real availability
Looks at the same live table data your team works from, not a static calendar.
Seats them properly
Confirms the time back to the caller and seats them at an actual table on your floor plan — not just a generic slot, the same layout your team works from.
When it isn't sure, it says so.
- Fully booked slots are never offered as available — Thomas holds the line even when a caller pushes.
- Anything outside a normal booking — large parties, complex requests, a frustrated caller — can be handed to your team directly.
- Every call follows the house rules you set for your venue, not a generic script.
Common questions
Does a real person ever need to step in?
No — Thomas handles bookings start to finish on its own. But it can hand a call over when it's not actually a booking, from a customer with an unusual request to a delivery driver who's rung the wrong number.
What if we're fully booked?
Thomas tells the caller honestly and offers the nearest realistic alternative rather than pretending a slot exists.
Does it sound robotic?
No — calls run as a natural conversation, not a menu of button presses or rigid scripted phrases.
How is it set up for our venue?
Porchlight is configured around your actual tables, sittings, and any house rules before it ever takes a real call.