Dining out in New York has become increasingly difficult, with securing a reservation at popular restaurants reaching an all-time high in challenge. Over the past three years, what was once a tough task has turned into an elusive goal for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even restaurateurs offer no reliable tips for booking tables amidst rising competition.
The situation intensified last month when the New York state legislature voted to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users had been reselling restaurant reservations for upwards of $200, a practice typically seen in concert ticket scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a vital win for the hospitality sector, aiming to curb reservation competition and shield restaurants from costly no-shows.
Even with these new regulations, the appetite for unique and luxurious dining experiences continues to outpace supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India observed, “Post-COVID, I’m sure you’ve noticed that everything is booked up, right? Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a concierge service catering to ultra-high-net-worth clients, emphasizes that successful access to the most sought-after dining spots relies on understanding client preferences and establishing robust relationships with the restaurants.
She noted a notable shift in dining trends, stating, “People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” According to India, the focus has shifted away from cuisine towards the trendy allure of dining out, where the experience itself has become a status symbol.
For those determined to secure a reservation at one of New York’s hardest-to-book restaurants, continue reading to discover top recommendations from Sienna Charles.