To celebrate his wife’s birthday in 2022, Brian Azara, a mechanical engineer in New York City, booked a table for two at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Brooklyn.
But when their son was suddenly hospitalized with severe asthma, Mr. Azara had to cancel the reservation.
A few minutes later, he checked his credit card account and saw a $200 fee.
“It was probably 23½ hours before we were supposed to be there,” Mr. Azara said, yet the restaurant refused to reverse the charge, citing its 24-hour cancellation deadline.
Even a few missed reservations, they say, can upset all the careful planning restaurants do to manage operations and balance the books.
Persons:
Brian Azara, Azara, ” Mr, Azara’s
Organizations:
Michelin
Locations:
New York City, Brooklyn