The restaurant that won't let you make a booking without references.

It feels like only five years ago that the fancy restaurant in your life was Sizzler.

You’d turn up. Walk in. Order yourself some cheese bread. And you’d be on your way.

Today, restaurants have entered a whole new level of fancy.

Not only are there lines outside the doors. There are waiting lists. Tickets. No reservations. Only reservations. Waiting lists for waiting lists. And most recently, applications.

Yep. Restaurant’s now want you to apply to eat there.

A friend of a friend, who has decided to remain anonymous, was trying to make a reservation at a New York restaurant, when she was asked to fill out this form in an RSVP email:

“Please first send us a full introduction of yourself. Could you please tell us more about you? Where are you originally from? What do you do for a living? What are you passionate about? Alternatively, you may obtain our phone number from a friend who has dined with us before who is willing to refer you. And be sure to mention the friend’s full name when calling so we may cross reference. Thank you for your cooperation… we look forward to hearing from you soon.”

Listen to the conversation we had about it on the latest episode of Mamamia OutLoud:

When world-famous NOMA restaurant hit Sydney, 40,000 people applied to eat there. The waiting list was 27,000 people long. Tickets cost $485 each. And it sold out in four minutes.

INTENSE.

At Fat Duck in Melbourne, there is also a wait list. And diner profiles. The meal you order is then tailored to individual experiences. So if a diner is from, say, Japan, a Japanese reference may be incorporated. It’s about a journey. A very expensive journey.

EVEN MORE INTENSE.

But we have to say, we think the restaurant in New York takes the cake.

We just want to know – what is wrong with some fish and chips from your local pub?

You’re guaranteed a table.

And they won’t ask you to apply to sit there.

That’s a win.

Would you want to eat at this restaurant? 

Listen to the full episode of Mamamia OutLoud on iTunes or here: