Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with securing a reservation at popular restaurants reaching new levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, many food enthusiasts have found it nearly impossible to land a seat at some of the city’s most sought-after dining spots.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating that certain restaurants have become nearly inaccessible. He noted that restaurateurs themselves have been unable to provide guidance on how to secure reservations in such competitive circumstances.
The situation worsened to the extent that last month, the New York state legislature enacted a ban on third-party booking platforms like Appointment Trader, where users were scalping reservation slots for upwards of $200, a practice reminiscent of ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry.” She believes it will lessen competition for reservations and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these regulatory changes, the demand for unique and trendy dining experiences continues to outpace supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted the post-COVID surge in demand is evident, with everything from flights to hotels and restaurants fully booked.
India, who runs Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for high-net-worth individuals, emphasizes that access to top-tier dining experiences hinges on understanding client preferences and fostering relationships with restaurants. Her clientele typically comprises families with wealth exceeding $100 million, and her experience includes notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
She observed a shift in dining preferences over the past three years, with clients gravitating away from fine dining and tasting menus toward trendier venues. “It’s about FOMO (fear of missing out),” India explained. For those interested in securing a reservation at some of New York’s most challenging-to-book restaurants, persistence and strategic approaches are key.