At Harry’s at Conti, dining is always a celebration, and it’s easy to see why. The Yakinthou brothers, together with their family, have crafted a restaurant that revels in the sheer joy of fine dining. Housed in a beautifully restored 1928 homestead, the historic stone walls and warm jarrah floors create an elegant yet inviting backdrop for a unique classical French experience.
Chef-Patron Harry Yakinthou, trained under the legendary Michel Roux Sr, brings a playful precision to every dish, from garlicky escargot to zesty duck confit, finishing with a Crème Brulé that cracks just right. Meanwhile, his brother orchestrates the room with effortless charm, proving that the art of servery can be just as memorable as the food itself.
Inspired by their passion for both food and service, the Yakinthou family ensures every meal feels like an occasion, where laughter flows as freely as wine, every dish tells a story, and every visit becomes an experience. At Harry’s at Conti, French fine dining meets family warmth, history, and a touch of theatrical flair, leaving diners with memories long after dessert is served.
We sat down with Owner-Operator Philip Yakinthou to discuss how Now Book It has made running the restaurant smoother, reducing cancellations, simplifying bookings, and providing a platform that offers everything a fine dining venue needs to deliver an exceptional service experience.
13 tables only—no room for empty seats
With a mere 13 tables and a private dining room, Harry’s at Conti offers an intimate fine dining experience perfect for special occasions, but that small scale comes with the high-stakes challenge of keeping every table occupied.
The restaurant offers only one menu, a meticulously crafted $165 three-course set menu, so the kitchen prepares each dish precisely for the guests booked that day.
“With such a small, intimate space, every reservation counts, even one last-minute cancellation can disrupt the flow of service and throw off the kitchen’s prep, which is all tailored for the exact number of guests expected,” explained Philip.
Beyond the operational challenge, there’s also the guest experience to consider. Every empty table is a missed opportunity to deliver the kind of flawless, immersive evening that keeps diners coming back.
No-shows no longer a worry with Now Book It
To tackle the challenge of last-minute no-shows or cancellations, Harry’s at Conti turned to Now Book It, and it’s made a world of difference for both the team and their guests.
The platform allows diners to book online, peek at the set menu, and pay via pre-authorisation, a simple guarantee that gives guests the flexibility to cancel up to 24 hours in advance without being charged, while giving the restaurant the heads-up needed to adjust kitchen prep.
“We can now plan confidently, the kitchen knows exactly how many covers to prep for, and our guests get the flexibility they need, all without any surprises on the night.”
For a venue as small and precise as Harry’s at Conti, every table counts, and Now Book It helps ensure none go empty. The team can focus on creating those flawless, immersive evenings that diners remember long after the last course is served, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or just a special night out. No last-minute scrambling, no wasted ingredients, just smooth service and happy guests. In a space where every reservation matters, having that kind of certainty is pure hospitality gold
Making the fine dining experience effortless
For Harry’s at Conti, simplicity and flexibility are key, and that’s exactly what Now Book It delivers.
“It’s brilliant because it’s so easy to use for the team, but also incredibly powerful. We can handle our basic day-to-day bookings, but also get as detailed as we need for special events or changes to the menu.”
The platform’s temporary booking options feature allows the restaurant to offer different menu options for short periods, giving guests the chance to book online for special menus or seasonal changes. Meanwhile, the upsell feature lets diners enhance their experience with extra drinks or menu items, perfect for making birthdays, anniversaries, or celebrations even more memorable.
With a venue as intimate as Harry’s at Conti, the standby list is another must-have. When the restaurant is fully booked, guests can add themselves online to the standby list, and if a table becomes available, the team can quickly offer it to those waiting, ensuring no opportunity to fill one of the 13 tables is missed.
“It keeps us organised, maximises our covers, and means our guests always get a seamless experience,” he added.
Turning special occasions into gifted experiences
On top of streamlining bookings and keeping tables full, Harry’s at Conti also makes the most of Now Book It’s gift card features to extend the special occasion experience beyond the restaurant itself.
So far in 2025, the venue has sold over $50,000 in gift cards, giving guests the chance to share the magic of a fine dining evening with friends and family. But it’s not just about traditional gift cards, the venue also leverages Now Book It’s experience gift cards, allowing customers to gift something truly memorable, like a three-course dinner for two with paired wines.
“It’s a brilliant way for our guests to give an experience, not just a number.”
Beyond creating memorable moments for recipients, these gift card users also tend to spend up to 20% more per visit, meaning the team not only delivers unforgettable nights but also makes the most of every opportunity to enhance the dining experience.
By combining thoughtful gifting with seamless booking, Harry’s at Conti ensures that every celebration, whether booked directly or gifted, is handled with the same precision, care, and hospitality that guests have come to expect.
Now Book It tip: The experience at Harry’s at Conti is not your everyday dining, so be sure to sit, relax and enjoy to the fullest. Wine pairing is the best way to complement your menu, and the average dining time is generally 3 hours.
