I’ve thought the same in NY for a while. Any reasonably popular spot is now gates by an obnoxious reservation system like resy.
I have to check every Tuesday at midnight for the 5 minutes that the next weeks tables open up before they are booked. Then I have to put down a credit card. Next I get bombarded with push notifications and texts with increasing urgency leading up to dinner that I must show up on time or forfeit money. When I show up on time they don’t seat me but suggest I go wait at bar and buy drinks. Finally they seat me and remind me I only have the table 90 minutes.
You know what, just charge me for seats. Let’s just go completely nakedly economic because you’re already 90% there with extra steps in the way.
It is called the hospitality industry but you’d never know it given what the dining experience has turned into.
I've been to places that are clearly managing their service to hit that 90 minute mark too. Over the top pestering to get your orders in the second your but hits the seat.. coming back to upsell you more drinks at the 20/40min mark, and then completely disappearing from about the 55min mark onwards so you can't put in a dessert order.
I have to check every Tuesday at midnight for the 5 minutes that the next weeks tables open up before they are booked. Then I have to put down a credit card. Next I get bombarded with push notifications and texts with increasing urgency leading up to dinner that I must show up on time or forfeit money. When I show up on time they don’t seat me but suggest I go wait at bar and buy drinks. Finally they seat me and remind me I only have the table 90 minutes.
You know what, just charge me for seats. Let’s just go completely nakedly economic because you’re already 90% there with extra steps in the way.
It is called the hospitality industry but you’d never know it given what the dining experience has turned into.