AI Tool Rates Attractiveness Of NYC Restaurant Goers

Forget the Michelin Guide. A new, controversial ranking is shaking up New York's dining scene, but it has nothing to do with food. This divisive new tool is more interested in the people eating the food, and its verdicts are raising more than a few eyebrows.

What is LooksMapping?

Created by Gen Z programmer Riley Walz, LooksMapping is an AI-driven tool that scores restaurant hotspots in NYC, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The system works by evaluating the profile photos of patrons who have left Google Reviews for a particular establishment. By scraping this data, the algorithm generates an average 'attractiveness' score for each restaurant's clientele, supposedly quantifying the physical appeal of its diners.

The website itself acknowledges the superficiality of the project, stating, "This website just puts reductive numbers on the superficial calculations we make every day. A mirror held up to our collective vanity.”

Iconic Hotspots Get Snubbed

The results have been a complete shock for some of the city's most celebrated venues. Take Balthazar, Keith McNally’s iconic Soho brasserie, long considered a prime spot to see and be seen. According to the AI, its patrons rank a pitiful 5.4 out of 10.

Other legendary spots fared even worse. The Odeon in Tribeca, once a hub for artists and celebrities, received a dreadful 3.1 rating. Even the ultra-exclusive Rao's in East Harlem couldn't escape, with its elite crowd handed a woeful 3.4 score. Perhaps the AI is just jealous it can't get a reservation.

The Surprising Winners

It wasn't all bad news for the fine-dining world. Jean-Georges earned a respectable 7.1, with its clientele described as "hot-leaning, middle-aged men and women." However, it was surprisingly out-ranked by a local institution. Katz’s Delicatessen managed an impressive 8.1, suggesting its patrons are as appealing as its famous pastrami sandwiches.

The absolute top ratings, however, were reserved for a handful of lesser-known spots, all scoring a perfect 10/10.

The NYC Restaurants with the Hottest Patrons, According to AI

1. Ubani Midtown: 10/10
2. Shinn West: 10/10
3. KYU NYC: 10/10
4. Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen: 10/10
5. Top Thai 55 Carmine: 10/10

A Flawed Mirror or a Sign of the Times?

The tool has, unsurprisingly, drawn a wave of criticism, with many pointing out its potential for bias. Walz himself has addressed this, telling the New York Times that the project "is making fun of AI" and admitting the ranking system is "a bit janky."

Despite its flaws, LooksMapping taps into a real trend. As a viral TikTok trend shows, young daters are increasingly calling bars and restaurants to ask if the patrons are attractive before they decide to go. For single New Yorkers with limited time and budgets, the 'vibe' of the crowd is a key factor.

Walz plans to expand the map to include all five NYC boroughs soon. For now, LooksMapping serves as a controversial, yet fascinating, reflection of how technology is intersecting with our most superficial social instincts.