How do you choose a restaurant? Will the occasion itself shape your choice? Or is food a major factor? Aren't service, ambience and location important, too? Or, do you go for Michelin stars? Somewhere you can take your kids? Whether we are conscious of it or not, we have our reasons for choosing a restaurant.
Do you feel like a buffet setting, a la carte dining, dinner and a show, or an exquisite degustation menu with matching wine?
When you take the time to choose, oftentimes, you are rewarded with a great gastronomic experience built around the ambience of the restaurant and the attitude of the staff serving you.
Sometimes, all we want to do is get a table and eat. But once in a while, eating out should be an experience that is beyond enjoyable. Some of us know exactly what to look for. But for those who have not much clue in making your restaurant visit a memory to cherish, here are some tips to a great restaurant experience.
Location of the Restaurant
Location, location, location….right?
Eating out is a completely different experience when the location is truly superb: a lake, seaside, riverside or a spectacular view of the mountain or an architectural gem. But if you have to travel a fair distance to get there, the food must be excellent to enjoy a $50 cab ride value.
A great idea is to choose a restaurant you can walk to. When you want to have a great time, driving afterwards can pose a real problem. So, get a restaurant that is close by where you can easily walk or where it is easy to get a cab or an uber.
Great service
It doesn't really matter if the food is amazing when the people serving it to you aren't well-practiced in the art of good service. Whether you’re in a family friendly restaurant or somewhere more high-end, you want to find a restaurant that places service right up there with the quality of what it's serving.
Appealing food
There's no question the food should taste good. But pinpointing what type of cuisine to choose is the big challenge. It's no good if you pick an amazing restaurant, complete with glamorous setting and excellent service if the people you are dining with absolutely detests the genre of food they're serving.
Ensure the menu suits everyone in your party, including those with allergies or certain cultural/ethical beliefs and whether they cater to children.
The options are endless but the quality of the food is important if the restaurant wants return business. A great restaurant will ensure they source the finest produce and have it prepared by a professional, experience chef.
Great atmosphere & ambience
Sometimes, the restaurant may be beautiful but the décor is not to your taste. It jars your senses. Go to a place where you enjoy the general atmosphere.
Do they play music? How loudly? Check out the people who go to the restaurant. If you find it pleasant to be around these people as you eat your dinner, then go book a table. Maybe a specific table away from the kitchen doors and not under the air conditioner.
Price matters when you choose
You should expect to get what you pay for but sometimes that’s not always the case. Of course, asking to see the menu before you choose the restaurant goes without saying, but oftentimes people find that the price doesn’t end up matching the portion size or quality of the meal. In this case it is extremely important to check customer reviews before trying for yourself.
Summary
When you take the time to choose, oftentimes, you are rewarded with a great gastronomic experience built around the ambience of the restaurant and the attitude of the staff serving you. Somewhere where you will return to again and again.
