Restaurants' New Embrace

Frank Bruni published an article in today's NYT food section about the change in attitude of many high end restaurants. Once emitting an air of, let's say exclusivity, many of these establishments are now welcoming customers with overt acts of kindness in order to woo the dwindling masses. Restaurants are now more friendly when taking reservations on the phone, more willing to keep waiting lists should a cancellation occur, and more accomodating to special requests. What the article basically says is, now that restauranteurs can no longer afford to treat their customers like shit, they're changing their ways.

This comes at a time when restaurants (and everyone in the hospitality business) are feeling the pinch. Recently Citronelle cut back dinner service to 5 nights a week and is laying off as many as ten staffers. In what has become known as a "recession proof" city, this is a significant warning of possible cutbacks and closures to come.