How often do you come across these frustrating words sorry, we can’t seat you until 10pm, while attempting to secure a reservation at one of the hottest restaurants in town? Too many times it seems, even if you’re considered quite connected to the foodie pipeline…and that is due to the influx of chefs who have become global pop stars of sorts, making it nearly impossible to snag a table…not just for the last minute risk-taker, but also for the planner, like myself. So for those who don’t want to resort to hiring a publicist- or pretending to actually be one- in order to check out the latest culinary goods, there are two membership-only dining concierge services sure to make your next meal out a lot less anxiety-prone.
Today’s Epicure is a New York-based site-brought to you by Pascal Rffaud- a veteran in the concierge word- that doles out those hard to obtain ressie’s in real-time, to the eager bon vivant or social butterfly who can utilize both their website and app. With over two hundred restaurants in NYC- you can also access other cities such as Miami, during high-season, or Los Angeles, during Oscar season- this quick and efficient resource offers special perks at exclusive eateries, and also signature experiences such as dinner with the chef, and private wine tastings with high-profile sommelier’s. There are different pricing tiers which include these categories, personal, corporate, local, and global- predicated by how much and how often you have a hankering for feasting out. www.todaysepicure.com
The other NYC based site, I Know the Chef is by invite-only and was created by Joshua Stern, an alum of one of the country’s top hospitality schools. Like Today’s Epicure, prime-time reservations are a breeze to grab, and the amenities offered here may include some pretty sweet VIP treatment such as preferred seating- where everyone will wonder who is that and how did they get that table- or a complimentary cocktail, appetizer, or dessert, and even bottle service at that late-night hot spot you just read about in those glossy mags. Either way…you’ll be properly set up, in style. www.iknowthechef.com
