Restaurants Aren’t Really Charging People For Skipping Reservations Anymore | Eater NY

"The Bastianich-owned Spanish wine bar on Irving Place had a customer, Carrie, who said, “They would have filled my table easily, so it felt like a money grab,” and added, “It’s a shame because the food is innovative and I want to support that, but I also don’t want to be taken advantage of. I want to be met with some understanding.” The anecdote — she had a reservation for four, felt too sick to go, and went anyway to avoid a $25 per person cancellation fee only to be turned away at the door — illustrates diner frustration with perceived unfair enforcement of cancellation policies." - Andrea Strong