Dining out in New York City has become increasingly challenging, as securing a reservation at the hottest restaurants has surpassed previous difficulties. Over the past three years, the process has evolved from simply tough to nearly impossible for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, emphasized this trend in a recent interview, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He highlighted conversations with restaurateurs who, when asked for tips on securing a table, admitted they had no solutions to offer.
The competitive nature of dinner reservations led the New York state legislature to pass a bill prohibiting third-party booking services like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell their restaurant reservations for prices exceeding $200, similar to practices typically seen in concert and sporting event ticketing.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a significant win for the hospitality industry, asserting that it will decrease competition for reservations and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these regulatory changes, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to outpace availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic, “everything is booked up,” including flights, hotels, and restaurants, posing challenges for access to desired experiences.
With 16 years of expertise running Sienna Charles, a concierge service for ultra-wealthy clients, India has insights into navigating this tight market. Her clientele typically consists of families with earnings over $100 million, including notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
India claims that gaining access to sought-after restaurants and other exclusive experiences is primarily about understanding client desires and fostering relationships with restaurants. She observed a shift in dining trends, stating that many clients prefer trendy spots over formal dining options. “It’s about FOMO,” she says, referring to the popularity of being able to claim a reservation as a status symbol.
For those determined to secure their own coveted dining experiences in New York, Sienna Charles shares insights on the hardest restaurant reservations to obtain.