Small Is the New Big: Hot New Restaurants Go for Intimacy First
Giant Zen palaces of food are no longer the thing: Lately, the world’s top chefs want a cozy experience for their diners.
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Does it feel like your new favorite restaurant is shrinking? It’s not your imagination. Smaller spaces mean lower rents, a motivation for chefs to innovate, and fewer waitstaff and cooks at a time when both are hard to find. Best of all, smaller restaurants blend in better with their neighborhoods. Many offer takeout and smart line-management systems in case you can’t get—or don’t want—a table. Here are some small spaces to try.