In New York, securing a restaurant reservation has become an exceedingly difficult task, especially at the city’s most sought-after dining spots. Over the past three years, the challenge of obtaining a table has escalated to a level that seems unattainable for many culinary enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg about the situation, stating, “Certain restaurants are nearly impossible to enter.” He noted that even restaurateurs, when asked for tips on how to secure a reservation, often admit they have no answers.
The intense competition for dinner reservations led the New York state legislature to vote last month in favor of banning third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader. These sites allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices, reminiscent of the ticket scalping seen at concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, as it aims to decrease reservation competition and safeguard restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the landscape remains challenging, as the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to exceed their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that in the post-COVID era, reservations across all sectors are at a premium. She pointed out, “Every plane, restaurant, and hotel are fully booked.”
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a high-end travel and concierge service for wealthy clients, understands the intricacies of the reservation landscape. Her clients typically come from families with fortunes exceeding $100 million, some of whom include notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
Yet, despite her impressive client list, India stresses that gaining access to popular dining spots largely depends on two main factors: understanding customers’ desires and forging strong relationships with the restaurants.
According to India, there’s been a notable shift in dining preferences. “People are moving away from fine dining; we seldom have clients wanting a tasting menu,” she said. “In the last three years, the trend has leaned towards trendy restaurants where the focus is less on food and more on the experience and status. It’s about the thrill of securing a reservation, a kind of bragging right.”
For those eager to join the ranks of exclusive dining experiences, persistence is key. India shares insights on which New York restaurants have the most coveted tables.