In New York City, securing a dining reservation has never been more challenging. Over the past three years, the difficulty of landing a seat at the hottest restaurants has skyrocketed, leaving many food enthusiasts frustrated.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” Even restaurateurs he consults admit they lack guidance on how to secure reservations.
The competition for dinner slots reached such extremes that the New York state legislature recently voted to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which were allowing users to resell restaurant reservations for prices exceeding $200, a practice previously seen only in the concert and sports arenas.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, arguing it would decrease competitive pressures for reservations and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the trend of high demand for exclusive and luxurious dining experiences persists. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up. Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
India, who owns Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service catering to ultra-wealthy clients, stated that securing access to top dining spots hinges on understanding client preferences and establishing strong relationships with restaurants.
She highlighted a shift away from traditional fine dining, noting that most clients prefer trendy venues that provide an experience beyond just food. “It’s about FOMO, about having that bragging right,” she explained.
For those eager to claim their own bragging rights through tenacity in reservation fighting, India’s expertise offers insights into which New York restaurants are considered the most challenging to book.