Can you make reservations at The Ordinary Charleston?

How Payment Systems Define Your Reservation Experience at The Ordinary Charleston

Let’s be honest: when you try to book a table at a hot spot like The Ordinary Charleston, it’s not just about clicking "Reserve" online. Beneath the surface, there’s a web of financial processes—from deposit requirements to chargeback risks—that shape your experience, and the restaurant’s bottom line. That’s not something most diners think about, but as someone who’s both tried to snag a last-minute spot and worked with fintech clients in hospitality, I’ve seen how these backend financial systems can make or break a reservation.

Step-By-Step: Booking at The Ordinary Charleston (with a Financial Lens)

Okay, so you want to make a reservation. Here’s what actually happens, financially speaking:

1. Choosing a Platform: The Ordinary Charleston uses Resy for reservations. Resy’s integration with payment gateways (Stripe, Braintree, etc.) means your card info is securely stored when you book.
2. Deposit or Hold: Some dates or group sizes trigger a card hold or deposit. Why? Chargeback risk and “no-show” losses. According to the National Restaurant Association, no-shows cost the U.S. industry over $3 billion annually—so restaurants like The Ordinary increasingly require a card on file.
3. Confirmation and Policy Disclosure: Resy (and The Ordinary) will email you the cancellation/refund policy. For example: “A $25/guest fee applies for cancellations within 24 hours.” This is a financial contract under U.S. law; the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandates clear disclosure of payment terms (FTC Guidance).
4. Final Settlement: If you dine, no further action. If you cancel late or don’t show, the restaurant charges your card—Resy processes this through PCI-compliant payment rails, as required under U.S. financial regulations.

Now, here’s a screenshot from a Resy reservation at The Ordinary Charleston (simulated for privacy): Note the “Credit card required” and explicit cancellation policy. This is not just for show—it’s a real financial safeguard, one that’s become standard in high-demand restaurants globally.

Expert View: Why Financial Compliance Matters in Restaurant Reservations

I once sat down with a hospitality fintech consultant who summed up the stakes: “A restaurant reservation isn’t just a promise—it’s a financial transaction, with all the regulatory baggage that comes with it.” She pointed to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which every U.S. restaurant must adhere to when handling card data (PCI Security Standards Council). This is echoed in the policies of The Ordinary Charleston and similar venues: your card data is tokenized; deposits are processed through regulated gateways; and refund/cancellation policies are spelled out in line with federal and state consumer protection laws.

Comparing International “Verified Trade” Standards: Why U.S. Restaurant Policies Set the Tone

Let’s pull back and compare how countries regulate “verified trade,” especially as it relates to hospitality payments:

Country	Standard Name	Legal Basis	Enforcing Organization
USA	PCI DSS for Card Payments	Federal Trade Commission Act, PCI DSS	FTC, PCI Security Standards Council
EU	PSD2 (Payment Services Directive 2)	EU Directive 2015/2366	European Banking Authority
UK	Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)	Payment Services Regulations 2017	Financial Conduct Authority
China	UnionPay Secure Payment	People’s Bank of China Guidelines	People’s Bank of China

This means that if you’re booking at The Ordinary Charleston as a tourist from the EU, your card details are processed under U.S. PCI rules, not under PSD2. If there’s a dispute, U.S. consumer law governs—so understanding these nuances is key, especially for high-value or group bookings.

Case Example: How Financial Policy Resolves Disputes in Reservations

Let’s imagine you’re a Canadian tourist (Canada follows Payment Card Industry standards but not PSD2) booking a table for 8 at The Ordinary. You enter your card info and are shown a $25/person cancellation fee policy. Suppose your flight is canceled last-minute. You call to cancel but it’s within the 24-hour window. The Ordinary charges your card as per policy. You contact your Canadian bank to dispute the charge, but the transaction falls under U.S. merchant and FTC rules. The bank investigates, but because the terms were disclosed and you agreed, they side with the merchant. This mirrors real-world cases discussed in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s complaint database, where cross-border disputes are resolved according to the merchant’s legal jurisdiction.

Industry Expert’s Take

“U.S. restaurants are increasingly sophisticated in risk management,” says Mark L., a payments compliance officer. “Deposits, card holds, and cancellation fees are not just about deterrence—they’re about ensuring cash flow and minimizing fraud. They’re also a compliance requirement if you want to process cards at scale.”

Personal Experience: Booking, Fumbling, and Learning

Here’s my honest story: I once tried to book The Ordinary for a client dinner, entered my card, and then realized I’d picked the wrong date. I panicked—would I get charged? After a flurry of calls, I learned that the cancellation policy was crystal clear on Resy (and in their confirmation email). Because I canceled more than 24 hours out, there was no charge. But if I’d canceled later, my card would’ve been hit, no questions asked. It was a wake-up call to always double-check not just the date, but the fine print—and to appreciate how much financial infrastructure is humming in the background.

Conclusion: What to Expect, and How to Navigate Financial Policies at The Ordinary Charleston

If you’re planning to book a table at The Ordinary Charleston, expect to provide a credit card, agree to a cancellation policy, and have your payment processed under U.S. financial regulations. This isn’t just bureaucracy—it’s a crucial part of the restaurant’s financial risk management, aligned with best practices in the global hospitality industry. For travelers, remember that your consumer rights are shaped by the country where the merchant operates. If you’re used to EU-style payment protections, the U.S. system may feel less consumer-centric, but it is robust and transparent. My advice? Treat your reservation like any other financial transaction: read the terms, know the cancellation policy, and don’t be shy about asking the restaurant for clarification. For more on regulatory frameworks, check the PCI Security Standards Council or the European Banking Authority for cross-border payment rules. Making a reservation is the easy part—understanding the financial machinery behind it is what sets savvy diners apart.