I can’t and don’t deny the writer’s lived experience, but from what I see in NYC and around the country, a lot of this simply doesn’t appear to be true. I’m not saying that it isn’t tough or that it doesn’t require hard work - it does. But there is no lack of money out there or a dearth of people who want to spend it on a great night out. You can feel however you want about that and we can discuss the depredations of capitalism, but it’s true. Off the top of my head I can think easily of a dozen chef/restaurateurs who lead restaurants that are packed every night and making money, even with entrees at $30+ and lots of bottles over $100. Maybe because of that?But these places also have bottles in the $60 range and less pricey entrees. They are making money and opening new restaurants. The food has to be good and you need to serve what people want to eat and drink. And also give them opportunities to spend big money if they want to. Sorry, but they have $$$, you know. If you want them to spend it, then you have to be good, fresh, and in fashion. Very hard business. But there are thousands and thousands of restaurants doing just fine, servers taking home $800 on Saturday nights, people building stuff. It can work. And if you build it, we’ll be there. NYC isn’t going to cook at home every night, ever.

I can’t and don’t deny the writer’s lived experience, but from what I see in NYC and around the country, a lot of this simply doesn’t appear to be true. I’m not saying that it isn’t tough or that it doesn’t require hard work - it does. But there is no lack of money out there or a dearth of people who want to spend it on a great night out. You can feel however you want about that and we can discuss the depredations of capitalism, but it’s true. Off the top of my head I can think easily of a dozen chef/restaurateurs who lead restaurants that are packed every night and making money, even with entrees at $30+ and lots of bottles over $100. Maybe because of that?But these places also have bottles in the $60 range and less pricey entrees. They are making money and opening new restaurants. The food has to be good and you need to serve what people want to eat and drink. And also give them opportunities to spend big money if they want to. Sorry, but they have $$$, you know. If you want them to spend it, then you have to be good, fresh, and in fashion. Very hard business. But there are thousands and thousands of restaurants doing just fine, servers taking home $800 on Saturday nights, people building stuff. It can work. And if you build it, we’ll be there. NYC isn’t going to cook at home every night, ever.

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