In New York, securing a dining reservation has become increasingly difficult, reaching levels that many food enthusiasts find nearly impossible to navigate. Over the past three years, obtaining a spot at the city’s most fashionable restaurants has shifted from being a challenge to a significant hurdle for many.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, discussed the situation with Bloomberg, noting that certain restaurants are nearly inaccessible. He shared, “I’ve spoken with restaurateurs, and when asked for tips on getting in, their response is simply, ‘I don’t have them.’”
The competitive landscape for dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to recently ban third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant slots for $200 or more, a practice reminiscent of ticket scalping for concerts and sports events.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, stating it would alleviate competition for reservations and help protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite the legislative efforts, the growing demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to exceed availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India commented on the post-COVID surge in bookings, saying, “Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.” She highlighted the challenge of securing spots at popular venues.
India, who has spent 16 years running Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service catering to high-net-worth individuals, shared insights into gaining access to coveted dining experiences. Despite her impressive clientele, which includes prominent figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey, she emphasized that securing reservations greatly depends on understanding customers’ preferences and cultivating relationships with the restaurants.
According to India, there has been a noticeable shift away from fine dining toward trendy spots that focus less on food and more on the experience. “It’s not about the food; it’s about the fear of missing out,” she noted.
For those eager to secure their own coveted table in New York and willing to persist in their efforts for a reservation, a list of the most sought-after restaurants will follow.