Securing a dinner reservation at one of New York’s most sought-after restaurants has become increasingly challenging in recent years. According to Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, the process has evolved from difficult to nearly impossible for many eager diners.
Brooklyn’s restaurant scene is facing such heightened competition that just last month, the New York state legislature passed a bill to prohibit third-party booking services like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for inflated prices, sometimes exceeding $200.
Melissa Fleischut, who leads the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, asserting that it would help mitigate fierce competition for reservations and safeguard restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these new regulations, the trend toward exclusive and luxurious dining experiences continues to outpace their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India notes how the post-pandemic landscape has left nearly every aspect of travel—flights, hotels, and dining—overbooked.
India, who has spent 16 years running Sienna Charles, a concierge service catering to ultra-wealthy clients, explains that navigating these coveted dining experiences involves understanding client desires and cultivating relationships with restaurant owners.
She points out a shift in consumer preferences away from formal dining experiences, with fewer clients expressing interest in multi-course tasting menus. Instead, there is a noticeable trend toward trendy establishments where the experience is as much about social status and exclusivity as it is about the food.
For those looking to secure a reservation at some of New York’s toughest spots, a relentless approach may be required. Sienna Charles has insight into which tables are currently the hardest to book.