Crossword Genius

Small numbers -- in what way is that something bothering restaurant? (2-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

no-show

'that something bothering restaurant?' is the definition.
(as in a no-show for a restaurant booking)

'small numbers in what way' is the wordplay.
'small numbers' becomes 'nos' (abbreviation for 'numbers').
'in what way' becomes 'how' ('how' can be a synonym of 'in what way').
'nos'+'how'='NO-SHOW'

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for no-show that I've seen before include "Someone who neither keeps nor cancels an engagement" , "Individual neither using nor cancelling a ticket" , "One who fails to arrive" , "Person who fails to cancel -- who's on (anag)" , "Person with reservation not turning up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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