I tried to get a reservation 8 weeks before going to Napa. It was my wife's 40th birthday, so I was hopeful. I made sure they knew when they wait listed me that it was a special occasion, and then called every 2-3 weeks to see if anything had changed (really just to make them realize how interested I was). A week before we left for Napa, we received a call from FL that they received a cancellation, and had a prime time dinner slot for us.

I found late morning before lunch was a good time to call reservations.

Joe

I am three for three using the waitlist to get weekday dinner reservations. I call a few weeks before I want to go and I tell them my preferred date, and that I"m willing to go any day that week. Each time I've received a call about 5 days ahead with my preferred day. I think calling close to when you want to go--and being flexible as to day--tells them the most important thing they want to know when they have a cancellation: will you say yes as soon as they call to offer the spot.

Gillian