With the launch of Del Posto, Morimoto and Buddahkan, I began to worry that the American perception of ‘bigger is better’ would begin to build momentum for new and future restaurants in the city. Thankfully, this trend seems to be short lived. I understand that space is luxury, but I favor intimacy and the personality that comes out in the smaller to medium sized restaurants we have. To me, a restaurant is a brand. It’s hard to establish a connection with your consumers if you feel like just another person in a sea of tables.