In New York, securing a reservation at popular restaurants has become increasingly difficult, reaching new heights in the last three years. For many enthusiastic diners, getting a seat at the city’s most sought-after spots feels nearly impossible.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He mentioned discussions with restaurateurs who admitted they do not have tips on overcoming the reservation problem.
The situation is so dire that last month, New York state lawmakers decided to ban third-party booking sites, such as Appointment Trader, which allowed users to sell restaurant slots at inflated prices, similar to practices seen in the concert and sporting event industries.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, labeled the legislation a “major victory for the hospitality industry.” She believes it will lessen the competition for reservations and offer better protection for restaurants against costly last-minute cancellations.
Despite these changes, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to surpass supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up, right? Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full,” highlighting the challenges in securing spots in popular venues.
India, who has operated Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for the ultra-wealthy, for 16 years, emphasizes that gaining access to high-demand restaurants hinges on understanding customer preferences and fostering relationships with restaurateurs.
She remarked that many clients are less interested in fine dining experiences, saying, “People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” Instead, the trend leans toward dining with an emphasis on the experience itself, often fueled by the desire to showcase one’s status.
For those eager to secure a coveted reservation and willing to persist, a rundown of the most challenging New York restaurant reservations, according to Sienna Charles, will be of interest.