For those eager to enjoy a meal out in New York, securing a reservation has become increasingly challenging. Over the past three years, obtaining a seat at the city’s most coveted restaurants has transformed from difficult to nearly impossible for numerous food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into. I’ve even spoken with restaurateurs during panels, asking for tips on how to secure reservations, and their response is, ‘I don’t have them.’”
The competition for dinner reservations has escalated to the point where, last month, the New York state legislature passed a ban on third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, which had allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for over $200, a practice once limited to events like concerts and sports.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aimed at decreasing reservation competition and shielding restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the reality is that the demand for unique, trendy, and lavish experiences continues to exceed their availability post-pandemic. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is fully booked, right? Every plane, every restaurant, every hotel.”
With 16 years of experience through her luxury concierge service, Sienna Charles, India is well-versed in navigating this crowded landscape, catering to families with fortunes exceeding $100 million and having worked with clients like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
Yet, she stresses that gaining access to premier dining establishments hinges on a few key elements: understanding client needs and cultivating relationships with suitable restaurants.
“Fine dining is less popular now; we seldom have clients interested in tasting menus,” India stated. “The trend has shifted to trendy restaurants where the emphasis is not primarily on the food. It’s more about the fear of missing out; it’s a status symbol to be able to say you got in.”
For those willing to persevere in the quest for a reservation, India’s insights reveal which New York restaurant tables are currently the most elusive.