Securing a reservation at New York’s sought-after restaurants has become increasingly difficult, with the past three years marking a significant rise in challenges for diners. What was once a tough task has escalated into an almost unattainable goal for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, noting, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He further mentioned that even restaurateurs, when asked for tips on gaining access, often admit to having none.
The competitiveness surrounding dinner reservations prompted New York’s state legislature last month to pass a law prohibiting third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for prices as high as $200, a practice akin to concert and sports event scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” believing it would lessen the competition for reservations and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the persistent demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to surpass the available options. Jaclyn Sienna India, a travel advisor specializing in high-net-worth clients, highlighted that in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, “everything is booked up,” making it challenging to secure spots at restaurants, hotels, and other leisure activities.
India, who runs Sienna Charles, a concierge service for affluent families, including prominent figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey, points out that the key to accessing popular venues lies in understanding customer preferences and fostering relationships with restaurants.
She observed a noticeable shift in dining trends, indicating that clientele are moving away from fine dining experiences. “People very rarely want to sit through a tasting menu,” she noted, suggesting that the current focus is more on trendy locations that offer social validation, or “bragging rights,” rather than the culinary experience itself.
For those determined to claim their own bragging rights and willing to persist in their quest for reservations, the article outlines which New York restaurants are currently the most challenging to access, according to insights from Sienna Charles.