খাবারের জন্য লাইনে অপেক্ষা করা নিউইয়র্ক সিটির সর্বশেষ প্রবণতা, যা ক্ষুধার্ত থেকে কয়েক ঘন্টা দীর্ঘ লাইনে অপেক্ষা করতে আগ্রহী ডিনাররা।
In a city that prides itself on moving fast, nothing seems slower — or suddenly more fashionable — than waiting in line. These days, it seems New Yorkers will stand and wait for almost anything — a bagel, a tightly wound bowl of pasta or the vague promise of “vibes.” From hours-long dinner lines to pancake-loving crowds waking up too early for brunch across the city, one of the world’s fastest-paced destinations still loves to stand still. Anya Kerr (from left) and twins Audrey and Evelyn Gray (all 16) made a special trip into the city from Bergen County, New Jersey, to wait in line for breakfast at the West Village’s Salt’s Cure restaurant. Stefano Giovannini But why? Has the New York minute suddenly gotten longer? Experts say the slow trend isn’t just about the food. “Restaurants these days aren’t places to eat — they’re places to show how high up you are on the status totem pole,” Strong, an insider of New York’s food scene with a burgeoning newsletter, The Strong Buzz, told The Post. “Lines in the restaurant industry have to do with status — the status the restaurant has in the diner’s mind, and the status the restaurant gives the diner when they post it on social media,” explained a longtime local critic. Like it or not, says Queens culinary consultant Joe DiStefano, “big, dumb lines” have become a fixture of urban dining. Like the classic “Seinfeld” episode “The Chinese Restaurant” — in which Jerry, George and Elaine spend a night waiting for a table that never appears — New Yorkers have inextricably turned the agony of waiting into a badge of honor. “Lines were a fact of life at old school restaurants like Katz’s and Emilio’s Ballato in New York restaurants, but they exploded after the pandemic — at bakeries, restaurants, and pretty much every neighborhood,” DiStefano said. Tabitha Remo and Luis Fong waited in line at HA’s Snack Bar on the Lower East Side in New York City before the restaurant opened, hoping for a chance at a seat. Stefano Giovannini Fueling the blaze, he told The Post, is social media. “Social media and influencer buzz have a huge effect in applying peer pressure on people — look at what happened to Cervo’s Pizza after Dave Portnoy gave it a rave review,” he explained, recalling one of the biggest viral hits downtown in recent months. Waiting, Strong says, is part of the thrill. “For Generation Z, the line is part of the vibe,” he explained. “It’s another opportunity to take a video or post something online to show what it looks like and feels like.” The theory met reality on a Friday evening at 5 p.m. in the Lower East Side, where a line of 15 diners lined up a full 30 minutes before doors opened in anticipation of a seat at the acclaimed HA’s Snack Bar (297 Broome St.). Some clutched shopping bags, others sipped iced coffees, and all had one goal in mind: snagging a spot at the trendiest French-Vietnamese spot serving sweetbread vol au vent, pho-inspired onion soup and pâté chaud. “It’s worth the wait for the line,” Gen Z’er Tavitha Remo cheered, proudly aligning at 4:35 with her friend Luis Fong as the first in line. “They’re always changing the menu — it’s always a surprise.” New York City is known for moving fast — but now it’s slowing down to wait in line at interesting but established restaurants — like Kiki’s, on Division Street in Lower Manhattan. Stefano Giovannini Fong was less sure — adopting a typically Roman attitude about the matter. “Normally I wouldn’t wait longer than 10 minutes,” he said. “But I feel like I’m in New York. Around the corner, people are just waiting to go to the hair salon.” Further down the line, Natalia MacAdams had a more philosophical approach. “I usually don’t like standing in line, but I wanted to come here. After waiting in line, Anna Realmuto and Anna Gal enjoy a meal at an outdoor table at HA’s Snack Bar. Stefano Giovannini “There’s something romantic about being elbow-to-elbow crammed into a little place in New York. We spend so much time in isolation, so being among people — especially after the pandemic — is great.” Though none of these intrepid waiters had reservations, HA’s Snack Bar opens its reservations almost 20 days out, and they sell out faster than special noodles at close. Your best shot? Line up early and pray for entry. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and if you arrive by 4:45 p.m. or earlier, you might just score your preferred seat. Tavitha Remo and Luis Fong get their turn at a coveted table at HA’s Snack Bar. Stefano Giovannini The thrill of chasing chairs is part of the experience, said Dr. Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT, and Director of Psychology at mental health practice, Talkiatry. “Long lines in front of unique spaces give the perception of exclusivity and specialness,” Vinall said. “Many people connect their sense of self-worth with having access to more privileged experiences. If something is more difficult to attain, either through a higher price or a long wait, for many, it signals that it’s valuable, therefore, receiving it is a positive reflection on one’s self-worth.” She continued: “Social media heightens our FOMO (fear of missing out) and our desire to show we are exciting or interesting people who get to experience unique things. For many people, a long wait is a worthy compromise to having a selfie with an upscale meal or at a trendy restaurant.” That same Friday evening, just a few blocks away, another long line had formed by 6:45 p.m. — this time at beloved Greek restaurant Kiki’s (130 Division St.), where the wait for a table can be as long as a ferry to Santorini. “Kiki’s was 100% worth the wait,” said Upper West Sider Andrea Engemann, who was fourth in line out of roughly 25 people. Upper West Side resident Andrea Engemann is a big fan of the Lower East Side restaurant Kiki’s and says it’s “100% worth the wait” — she brought her partner Filippo Massobrio out for dinner. Stefano Giovannini “The prices are great, the cheesecake is amazing — you can only buy it locally, so waiting to be served is just what you do.” She added: “Personally, I would wait over an hour to get the full experience. It can be overwhelming but it’s exciting at the same time. Here in New York you can try some nice food and I think it’s worth standing in a long line.” Her partner Filippo Massobrio agreed — to a point. “If it takes longer than one hour, I usually don’t wait,” he said. “But if there’s a line outside, it usually means the place is a crush and worth trying when you can.” Experts say it’s not just about the food — New Yorkers take the time to wait in line due to the heightened sense of status that comes from visiting the restaurant. Stefano Giovannini Engemann and Massobrio even invited family to join them in line on the chilly fall evening. Massobrio’s parents, Monica and Max Massobrio, were visiting from Italy and didn’t mind waiting in the “exciting” New York line. Andrea’s mother, Amanda Engemann, who had come in to dine at Kiki’s from Fairfield, Conn., was also pleased. “If my daughter tells me it’s worth playing, I’m in,” she said with a laugh. “I think patience is part of the food.” Kiki’s skips reservations — come or forget it. For this group of five, waiting in line was part of the evening plan. Andrea said she knew the wait could be “up to two hours,” so she virtually “ran to the restaurant to put her name down.” Engemann and Massobrio kept an eye on the time, telling The Post that, for them, the long wait was part of the evening experience. Stefano Giovannini The Lower East Side favorite serves up classic Greek takeout — like succulent lamb, fresh seafood and wine — in such a rustic spot it feels like you’re direct from Mykonos. However, there’s always enough chaos outside to remind you that you’re still in New York. The next morning, a soggy line of 20 people stretched down Morton Street for breakfast at Salt’s Cure — even in the rain. At the West Village neighborhood home of the burgeoning bicoastal mini-chain, it’s pure chaos: no reservations, walk-ins only, place your order at the counter, then snag a seat. It’s first come, first served — and yes, fans say these pancakes are worth serving for. Waiting for a table at your favorite Greek restaurant, Kiki’s, can be as long as a summer ferry to Santorini. Stefano Giovannini Sisters Evelyn and Audrey Gray and their friend Anya Kerr hitchhiked from Bergen County, New Jersey, to try the Internet-famous pancakes at Hichikok. The three 16-year-olds said standing in line was no deterrent—it was sidewalk social time. “I mean, waiting in line for food in New York is more enjoyable than waiting in line at the post office,” Kerr joked. “It’s always worth it in the end.” Her friend Audrey agreed. “When the line is long, you’re bound to find value inside,” she said. “We’ll wait no matter what — it’s part of the fun.” Hottest items at New York restaurants right now. Golden Diner The global diner menu has gone viral—complete with two-hour lines for its honey butter pancakes. 123 Madison St., Lower East Side Kisa A no-frills menu of sizzling nostalgic Korean food that feels like Seoul in summer. 205 Allen St., Lower East Side Cocina Consuelo The soulful, no-reservations Mexican eatery draws crowds from far uptown. 130 Hamilton Pl. L’Industrie Pizza A modern twist on the industry’s most in-demand pies—one of New York’s most sought-after pies. 254 S. Second St., Williamsburg; 104 Christopher St., West Village (t) Food & Drink (t) Lifestyle (t) Metro (t) Upscale (t) Food Trends (t) Lower East Side (t) New York (t) Restaurant (t) West Village
প্রকাশিত: 2025-10-14 22:29:00
উৎস: nypost.com
