organizing London and Paris expedition

this is kind of a last-minute thing, and restaurant reservations, even in a negative economy, are difficult. And this trip, of course, doesn't allow the lead time to which most of our preferred restos seem to feel entitled. I've spent most of the day faxing, emailing, long-distancing, and generally trying to balance lunches and dinners... I prefer dinners to big lunches when traveling, leaves the daytime hours free for sightseeing or sleeping late. Reservationists (this seems to be an occupation, but is it a word?), on the other hand, prefer to fill up the lunch tables with travellers, keeping dinners for those more privileged than I. The negotiation continues...