Another sign we are in a recession

As if we didn’t need yet another bit of evidence that we are in a recession. Aside from the shrinking economy and rounds of layoffs all around, the sheer ease at getting a reservation during this year’s Restaurant Week is astounding. I was able to get a reservation at August in the West Village just four days in advance for 7:45 on a weeknight which is prime-time weeknight dining for me. I was also able to walk into Bocca, which is also participating in the Winter 2009 Restaurant Week this year, at 9pm on a Thursday night without having to wait at all for a table. This is Thursday, right? The supposed start of the weekend. Shouldn’t they be packed to the brim? Something seems amiss…

Also, I feel like the food that they are putting on the Restaurant Week menu is better than in previous years. Usually I feel like they have to create a special menu that doesn’t properly represent what they usually serve and then the quality of what you get goes down in par with the reduced prix fixe price you pay. This year I have seen pretty much the same dishes that appear on the special menu on the regular menu as well, which is a good sign.

So far I have been to both August and Bocca for dinner. I am going to Artisanal next Monday and planning a lunch in the Upper East Side somewhere on Thursday. I’ll be posting up reviews & photos (hopefully) soon.