Dining out in New York has never been more challenging, with the process of securing reservations at popular restaurants becoming increasingly difficult over the past three years. Many food enthusiasts find themselves struggling to claim a seat at the city’s trendiest eateries.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, explaining that some restaurants are simply inaccessible. He noted that even restaurateurs he has spoken with lack effective strategies for securing reservations.
The competitive landscape of dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to approve a ban on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were selling spots for exorbitant prices, reminiscent of the ticket scalping seen in concerts and sports events.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” asserting that it would lessen competition for reservations and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative changes, the demand for unique and luxurious dining experiences continues to outstrip their availability in the post-COVID landscape. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted the overwhelming bookings across various sectors, stating, “Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
India, who has dedicated 16 years to her concierge and travel planning service Sienna Charles, mainly serving affluent families, explained that her expertise lies in helping her high-net-worth clients gain access to sought-after venues. She emphasized that success in securing reservations hinges on understanding customer preferences and establishing strong relationships with the restaurants.
She observed that diners have shifted away from traditional fine dining, noting, “We very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” Instead, there has been a trend towards trendy spots where the experience is more about social status than the food itself.
For those determined to secure their own brag-worthy dining experience in New York, stay tuned as we reveal which restaurants have the hardest-to-get tables, as per Sienna Charles.