I was in Victoria, BC just last week on a trip and I went to a greek restaurant for dinner. The place was only 20% full. The girl asks me where I would like to sit. I point next to a table next to a window with just the right amount of sunlight. Good place to eat I think. So I go over there and proceed to sit and she says that we save that table for the larger groups. I look around the restaurant and I tell her "you asked me where I wanted to sit." She goes, "I know." So I go a smaller table. Point being, why'd she ask in the first place?!?
Just wanted to share that, another adventure in fine dining.
Also, the only reason I can think of why they do that is to fill the restaurant starting from the back and work their way forward??