Drop in private parties hurts foodservice

Jan. 8, 2009, NEW YORK – By the first week of November, Joe Bastianich
and his partners at Del Posto in New York City's meatpacking district knew how
disappointing 2008 would be. On Nov. 4 and 5, more than $1 million in
private parties for the holiday season were canceled at the restaurant.

Jan. 8, 2009, NEW YORK – By the first week of November, Joe Bastianich
and his partners at Del Posto in New York City's meatpacking district knew how
disappointing 2008 would be. On Nov. 4 and 5, more than $1 million in
private parties for the holiday season were canceled at the restaurant.

“It started out as a very good year,” said Bastianich, who
estimated that private parties account for about 37 per cent of the
restaurant’s revenues. But it ended with little improvement over the
previous year.

Many diners around the city these days know that
empty tables signal a restaurant in distress. But many restaurateurs,
like Bastianich, worry about empty seats that few customers ever
see – the ones in private party rooms. | FULL STORY