#5: Buddakan: Even for a party of 2, Buddakan usually doesn't have any space in their restaurant big enough to seat 200+ people before 6:45 PM, or after 11:00 PM. Call at least 2-3 weeks in advance for a reservation.
#4: Balthazar: At least Buddakan has space for 2 at 6:45 PM, If you call Balthazar on a Monday for that Saturday (and sometimes Pastis, but Pastis isn't nearly as problematic to get a reservation to) even for a party of 2, they only have space no earlier than 11 PM. Anyone up for a late dinner? But the great part, Balthazar's restaurant number and their reservation line are two different numbers! Balthazar's reservation line is 1-212-965-1414 (be ready to wait at least 5 minutes to speak to a reservationist). Call a minimum of 2 weeks in advance.#2: Bagatelle: I called Bagatelle for a reservation for 2 on a Monday for that Saturday and they were completely booked! Opentable.com never has any open reservations for any time slots, no matter the party size. And their brunch parties don't accept reservations! Honestly, walking in is your best bet. Call a minimum of a month in advance.
#1: Merkato 55: Merkato 55 wins hands down. Number one, their dinner hours are awful. The kitchen opens at 9 PM only on Wednsdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If you call Merkato, pray the lines aren't busy, or hope they're working. But the worst is yet to come. In order to make a reservation for the famous Merkato 55 Day & Night Brunch, you can't make it through the phone. You need to email the reservationist (reservations@merkato55nyc.com) and hope they email you back. Here's the kicker, they only look at their emails from 12:30 PM-3:00 PM and their brunches get filled up at least 2 weeks before they occur so you need to make your reservation at least 3 weeks to a month in advance. Oh, in order to walk-in to the brunch, you need to get past the doorman at the front of Merkato. But from what I've seen, the hastle is completley worth it, for brunch at least. On the other hand, these restaurants are actually pretty simple to get a reservation to:#3. STK: To get a table for 9 at 7:15 or 8:00 on a Saturday by calling just 5 days before, something's got to be up...maybe its the recession...but Tenjune is doing just fine next door.
#2: Tao: Party of 6 on a Saturday at 7:30, isn't too difficult to get...even by calling the week before.
#1: Buddha Bar: No matter the party size or the time, Buddha Bar will have the reservation...I almost guarantee that.