Securing a reservation at New York’s most popular dining spots has become increasingly difficult, with the situation reaching new heights in the past three years. Many aspiring diners find it nearly impossible to enjoy a meal at the city’s trendiest venues.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, recently shared with Bloomberg that some restaurants are so exclusive that even restaurateurs have no tips to offer for securing a booking.
The competitive nature of dinner reservations prompted New York state lawmakers to outlaw third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where individuals were reselling restaurant reservations for $200 or more, a practice more commonly seen in concert and sporting event scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislative move as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aiming to lessen reservation competition and safeguard restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these regulatory changes, the high demand for unique and trendy dining experiences continues to surpass their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that since the pandemic, restaurants, flights, and hotels are fully booked, making it challenging to navigate the landscape of luxury experiences.
India, who has managed Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for affluent clients for 16 years, stated that gaining access to sought-after restaurants involves understanding customer preferences and fostering relationships with restaurant operators.
She pointed out a shift in dining trends, explaining that fewer clients are interested in traditional fine dining or lengthy tasting menus. Instead, there’s a growing interest in trendy establishments focused on generating memorable experiences that carry social prestige.
For those eager to obtain a reservation at one of New York’s hardest-to-access restaurants, persistence may be key.