Restaurant Goers!

[velvett]

What is important to you in your dining experience and in what order?

A - Quality of food
B - Selection of food dishes
C - Presentation of food
D - Overall restaurant ambience
E - Wait staff function
F - Wait staff appearance
G - Seating arrangement
H - Type of seating and comfort

Please give a rating 1-4 (4 being the highest) as to importance.

Assume that this is a high-end restaurant and money is no object to you.


Please feel free to add any of your own comments or personal experiences.

 

[Citruscide]

The Hotosity of the waitresses....

C-ditty

 

[velvett]

The Hotosity of the waitresses....

C-ditty

Fair enough.



SERIOUSLY people - I really want to know what you really think. I'm renovating a restaurant right now and it will be going through a complete image make-over so your opinions count.

 

[Optimus B]

A - 4++
B - 3
C - 1
D - 2.5
E - 3.5
F - 3
G - 2
H - 2

 

[ariolanine]

What is important to you in your dining experience and in what order?

A - Quality of food
B - Selection of food dishes
C - Presentation of food
D - Overall restaurant ambience
E - Wait staff function
F - Wait staff appearance
G - Seating arrangement
H - Type of seating and comfort

Please give a rating 1-4 (4 being the highest) as to importance.

Assume that this is a high-end restaurant and money is no object to you.


Please feel free to add any of your own comments or personal experiences.

A - 4
B - 2
C - 3
D - 4
E - 4
F - 4
G - 2
H - 2

Gotta have prompt service with great food. Treat me like a king and money will be no object when it comes time to tip.

 

[flexed1]

What sells a restaurant? Why do some fail and some make killings? Is it location? Is it food quality? Is it service? Is it decor? Yup each and everyone with location being the least important.

Bottom line find a restaurant that has beena round for ever. Facts are you will seed ay in and day out execution of food, service, and making you the guest feel important. Walk into a restaurant that is dirty, has plates on tables, and has no visible manager and you have a failure.

There are many places I have eaten theat where actually in "hoods" but the food, service and execution was great and the palce was packed. The furnishings where few but on every level they amde me feel important and made sure my visit was great. Thats how to make a restaurant make it pure and simple.

 

[Raina]

A, D, E, B, C, H, G, F

Our favorite place has a really fun atmosphere-- almost borders on being more like a bar/club. It's not a romantic lil nook or anything, but the food is always awesome and the prices are moderate too. Plus now they have a new section of the menu devoted to low carb food and it's SO nice to have a more broad selection of lean meat/veggie dishes instead of having to just request no bread/potato/crap I don't eat.

 

[Raina]

Oooh....and another one of my favorite places has amazing presentation. They make crunchy lobster rolls (with lobster, a little citrus, and macadamia nuts) and they serve them on a plate hovering in a little cauldron. Then they throw some dry ice in right before serving and the whole deal fogs out over the table for a few minutes.

Also, CONSISTENT service!! There are some places I avoid just because the service is so horrid. Half-ass serving is something I have little tolerance for. I like it when the servers have actually tasted all of the food and are attentive.

 

[CanadianCripple]

4
2-depends on where i'm going.
4
3
4
4
2
2

 

[rsnoble]

Your forgettin somethin. Fuck the food, how about cold beer? I will straight up walk out the damn place if the beer is warm. Food is secondary, but it has to be good. Plus the quality of the food is allowed to slip a little with multiple "cold" beers. The coldest beer I ever had served to me at a restaurant that actually had ice crystals in it was in Tombstone. Yeah, right in the middle of the fucking desert and here in the midwest in winter I gotta bitch about a warm fuckin beer. Bastards. My new fridge rocks though, will freeze a beer real fast.

I love eating out, but I cook a lot at home to. I can just about fuck anyone up with steaks off the grill. Including the famous kc steakhouses. Ive had people say theyd never eat steak again unless I cook it. Of course they had a lot of "cold" beers also so maybe that helped out the compliment. Thats ok though, I still liked hearing it.

 

[Fonz]

Depends on the food.

Lots of restaurants specialize in different types of food.

I generally try to go to a restaurant and eat a food that they specialize in.

I'm not really bothered by anything else.

In Spain......you can go eat seafood at the pier..not exactly the best of places..but the food is amazing.

Fonz

 

[big4life]

A - Quality of food---------4
B - Selection of food dishes-------4
C - Presentation of food--------3
D - Overall restaurant ambience-------4
E - Wait staff function---------4
F - Wait staff appearance--------2
G - Seating arrangement--------3
H - Type of seating and comfort-------4


When I go out to eat, it is based on the quality of the food. I have been to high priced places along the coast that everyone raved over and been very disappointed. Personally, I like the small, quite, out of the way places. Everything just seems better, the food, the service, atmosphere, etc..

 

[AustinTX]

4 A - Quality of food
4 B - Selection of food dishes
3 C - Presentation of food
3 D - Overall restaurant ambience
3 E - Wait staff function
2 F - Wait staff appearance
2 G - Seating arrangement
3 H - Type of seating and comfort

Since we're assuming high end restaurant for your question, I would expect staff appearance, seating comfort, etc. to all be 4's, although they're not as important as quality, selection, ...

 

[CanadianCripple]

I've eaten in places (especially Europe) which you wouldn't normally feed your dog in (appearance), but were incredible.

Food & service are of greatest importance to me.

 

[Fonz]

I've eaten in places (especially Europe) which you wouldn't normally feed your dog in (appearance), but were incredible.

LOL......thats so true.

Specially the mediterranean countries...Spain/France/Italy/Greece

Probably b/c they have a lot of seafood delicacies.

But in general terms.....US Restaurants are far cleanier/better appearance than their european counter-parts.

Fonz

 

[The Shadow]

A - Quality of food - 4
B - Selection of food dishes - 4
C - Presentation of food - 4
D - Overall restaurant ambience - 3(not a priority to me as the person you are with creats your personal ambience)
E - Wait staff function - 4
F - Wait staff appearance - 3(as long as they are professional)
G - Seating arrangement - 3(again not a priority, BUT I do not want to be seated next to a table full of rowdy kids - lol)
H - Type of seating and comfort - 4



...but...in my opinion, what separates "good food quality" from mediocre are the little things:

Presentation of the food - VERY important to me(as much as quality iteslf) - especially Chinese/Japanese/Sushi places - presentation can literally change my mental approcah to a meal

Dinnerware and utensils are a biggie with me - linen napkins, heavy, solid utensils etc.

Wine list is a biggie with me


Other things not really applicable to a Chinese type place:

Salad Dressings
Sour Cream
Coffee
INHOUSE prepared desserts

 

[CanadianCripple]

LOL......thats so true.

Specially the mediterranean countries...Spain/France/Italy/Greece

Probably b/c they have a lot of seafood delicacies.

But in general terms.....US Restaurants are far cleanier/better appearance than their european counter-parts.

Fonz

Yeah, but (as I'm sure you know) there's nothing like finding that little jewel which makes you go "aaaaaaaah, now that's food".

I live in Canada's smallest Province, but have a few of those spots too.

 

[naturally anabolic]

What is important to you in your dining experience and in what order?

A - Quality of food 4
B - Selection of food dishes 3
C - Presentation of food 2
D - Overall restaurant ambience 4
E - Wait staff function 4
F - Wait staff appearance 4
G - Seating arrangement 4!!!
H - Type of seating and comfort 4!

Please give a rating 1-4 (4 being the highest) as to importance.

Assume that this is a high-end restaurant and money is no object to you.


Please feel free to add any of your own comments or personal experiences.

 

[HANSEL]

A - Quality of food
B - Selection of food dishes
C - Presentation of food
D - Overall restaurant ambience
E - Wait staff function
F - Wait staff appearance
G - Seating arrangement
H - Type of seating and comfort

A. 4
B. 3
C. 2
D. 3
E. 3
F. 3
G. 4
H. 4

good food, good seating, and clean waitstaff/facility and I am happy.

 

[fistfullofsteel]

If I am going out to a restaurant with you, then I could care less. I just want to go straight to dessert.

 

[AustinTX]

... I'd say ambience (which includes lighting, I would think).

I have friends who won't go to some otherwise decent places because they have garish diner lighting...

 

[Nathan]

Surprisingly Vinylgroover has not yet chimed in on this, a Velvett thread. So, i will try and say something along the lines of vinylgroover's usual style in such situations:

I think that the most important thing a restaurant should have is lots of foxy ladies that look exactly like the one and only Velvett. Also, I have a humongous cock and I'm very skillful with it.

 

[Puddles]

4 A - Quality of food
4 B - Selection of food dishes
3 C - Presentation of food
4 D - Overall restaurant ambience
4 E - Wait staff function
2 F - Wait staff appearance
3 G - Seating arrangement
4 H - Type of seating and comfort

My g/f and I started going to a new restaurant every other week together...our husbands like to eat at the same old places which is fine, but we like to venture out so it works out well that we do it together. It's our girls night out, it usually starts out with a stop at Starbucks, then off for some shopping, and finally dinner.

You left off one very important part here...the bar area and martini menu! We usually spend a good 3 hrs. having our dinner so comfortable seating is really important. She's nearly vegetarian so above average quality and selection of foods are a must. My food doesn't normally have to be fussed over presentation wise, but if it's a higher end place, then it should really be better than average. We like different atmospheres...sometimes we'll pick a quiet dark place where we can just hide out and other times we want a lively atmosphere and will spend time at the bar. I don't like inattentive staff, but I don't want someone to be watching my every bite either. Their appearance doesn't matter much as long as they're clean!

 

[KnoXville]

C - Presentation of food

A word on righteous food presentation methods, I once read about a very avant-guade styling authentic sushi house in Japan, whom would serve there entire platter of sushi and sashimi on top of a beautiful naked woman. Probably the only real time a woman can wreak of tuna and still be delicious. In my opinion you should seriously try and run with that idea.

 

[bwood]

no fuckin children...
no fuckin children...
no fuckin children...
no fuckin children...
no fuckin children...
no fuckin children...
no fuckin children...
no fuckin children...
and...
no feces in food and keep the drink full...
and, oh yeah...
no fuckin children...

 

[Bikini Mod]

QUALITY OF FOOD IS PARAMOUNT.

Chances are if the restaraunt has gone to the trouble of making DAMNED SURE that their food is top notch (doesn't have to be visually stunning, though that is a VERY NICE "to have") then I highly doubt that they will negate any of the other details ie, friendliness and competence of staff, cleanliness and overall ambience of the place, etc.

Think about it... You could eat meat loaf and mashed potatoes in a "hole in the wall" but if the food leaves you with a VERY PLEASANT experience than somehow everything else will seem better. If the food is crap - regardless of how much the waiter kissed your ass or how pretty the wall paper was, YOU WILL LEAVE LITERALLY WITH A BAD TASTE IN YOUR MOUTH AND A FEELING AS THOUGH YOU HAD BEEN TAKEN.

I may not be able to eat much or even enjoy the food that I can consume anymore (because it will always bring me some degree of discomfort) but DAMMIT I LOOOOOOOVE THE TASTE OF GOOD FOOD IN MY MOUTH!!! So if it's gonna hurt me AFTER I eat it, then motherfucker it had better be good going down!

 

[WODIN]

IMO quality of food and ambience go hand in hand if either are lacking to any degree then the experience is degraded somewhat.

 

[vixenbabe]

A - Quality of food (4) The CHEF makes OR breaks ANY restaurant!
B - Selection of food dishes(4) I love a vast list of choices-once again, a GREAT CHEF makes ANY restaurant.
C - Presentation of food (4) I think I have some Greek blood in me. I MUST have a visual feast as well!
D - Overall restaurant ambience(3) I could care less as long as it's clean!
E - Wait staff function(4) I like to be catered too.
F - Wait staff appearance(3) MUST be clean and tidy.
G - Seating arrangement(3) Give me room to move.
H - Type of seating and comfort(4) I LOVE those OVERSTUFFED chairs that HUG you!

Please feel free to add any of your own comments or personal experiences.

 

[Ffactor]

A - 4
B - 4
C - 4
D - 4
E - 3
F - 3
G - 2
H - 3

 

[the nature boy]

I'm surprised notoriousQQ hasn't chimed in on how good the food at Sizzler is.

 

[Zebo]

Not on your list.....but for me, cleanliness.

Which is why I really don't go to restaraunts at all.
Many of them are disgusting places with dirty kitchens and staff.


Sorry....its how feel.

 

[TheProject]

What is important to you in your dining experience and in what order?

A - Quality of food
B - Selection of food dishes
C - Presentation of food
D - Overall restaurant ambience
E - Wait staff function
F - Wait staff appearance
G - Seating arrangement
H - Type of seating and comfort

Please give a rating 1-4 (4 being the highest) as to importance.

Assume that this is a high-end restaurant and money is no object to you.


Please feel free to add any of your own comments or personal experiences.

A - 3
B - 3
C - 2
D - 3
E - 4
F - 2
G - 1
H - 2

At the moment, I work in the restaurant industry, and have for several years, which makes me really conscious of what restaurants do well or not so well.

This biggest thing that will affect whether or not I go back is the quality of the service. Nothing pisses me off more than not having my drink refilled.

Outside of that, I'll echo spatts' sentiments. Warm lighting, comfy seats, oak or other light woods.

 

[OKIE]

What is important to you in your dining experience and in what order?

A - Quality of food
B - Selection of food dishes
C - Presentation of food
D - Overall restaurant ambience
E - Wait staff function
F - Wait staff appearance
G - Seating arrangement
H - Type of seating and comfort

Please give a rating 1-4 (4 being the highest) as to importance.

Assume that this is a high-end restaurant and money is no object to you.


Please feel free to add any of your own comments or personal experiences.

A - 4
B - 4
C - 2
D - 3
E - 3
F - 2
G - 1
H - 1

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Velvett

Typically, the price range of the food determines the target audience. (Long Island is a little different because it's so wealthy, true but still)

If it costs $150 for two people for dinner, your target is generally a little bit of an older crowd, and the ambience should reflect that. You're not getting 25 year olds in there at those prices, typically. (You might if this is the Hamptons).

Ambience is a distant third to food quality and quality/attentiveness of staff in my opinion.

 

[Millie]

oh, i thought that this would be another one of velvett's infamous food threads and i was expecting something along the lines of "ordering this specific dish and eating it in that specific way will result in you re-enacting Meg Ryan's restaurant scene in 'when harry met sally'"


A - Quality of food - 4
B - Selection of food dishes - 4
C - Presentation of food - 3
D - Overall restaurant ambience - 3
E - Wait staff function - 4
F - Wait staff appearance - 3
G - Seating arrangement - 2
H - Type of seating and comfort - 3

 

[Millie]

oh, i thought that this would be another one of velvett's infamous food threads and i was expecting something along the lines of "ordering this specific dish and eating it in that specific way will result in you re-enacting Meg Ryan's restaurant scene in 'when harry met sally'"


A - Quality of food - 4
B - Selection of food dishes - 4
C - Presentation of food - 3
D - Overall restaurant ambience - 3
E - Wait staff function - 4
F - Wait staff appearance - 3
G - Seating arrangement - 2
H - Type of seating and comfort - 3

 

[musclebrains]

Hard to beat the Red Lobster for luscious seafood and beautiful views of beautiful people.

 

[velvett]

Velvett

Typically, the price range of the food determines the target audience. (Long Island is a little different because it's so wealthy, true but still)

If it costs $150 for two people for dinner, your target is generally a little bit of an older crowd, and the ambience should reflect that. You're not getting 25 year olds in there at those prices, typically. (You might if this is the Hamptons).

Ambience is a distant third to food quality and quality/attentiveness of staff in my opinion.

This one is in Manhasset.

Yessery bob - you're totally correct.
You could get dinner for two here for around $60-200 ( w/apps and drinks) - the menu is that large in food variety and price.




FOR EVERYONE


The food quality is top notch - the decor is currently dated (80's mica) and worn looking. The host-owner treats each and every customer like her grandchildren - so your meal is served with every desire met, you will have some of your requests filled before you ask (the regulars) and you may need help walking you and your stomach out the door.

 

[velvett]

THANK YOU EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karma for everyone!

If you did not receive any - it's either because I ran out - or I must spread it around.




A lot of great comments here and I will be sharing these in our meetings.


We'll call it interactive hospitality design.

 

[Code]

What is important to you in your dining experience and in what order?

A - Quality of food
B - Selection of food dishes
C - Presentation of food
D - Overall restaurant ambience
E - Wait staff function
F - Wait staff appearance
G - Seating arrangement
H - Type of seating and comfort

Please give a rating 1-4 (4 being the highest) as to importance.

Assume that this is a high-end restaurant and money is no object to you.


Please feel free to add any of your own comments or personal experiences.

3
2
1
1
1
4
4
4

 

[Bikini Mod]

FOR EVERYONE


The food quality is top notch - the decor is currently dated (80's mica) and worn looking. The host-owner treats each and every customer like her grandchildren - so your meal is served with every desire met, you will have some of your requests filled before you ask (the regulars) and you may need help walking you and your stomach out the door.

Well that being the case, honestly I would be happy to sit on a wooden crate with a large wooden spool (the kind that holds coils of wire) with cutup brown paper bag over the top!

I don't see how anything in the "design" end could HURT a restaurant such as you described.

 

[p0ink]

A - Quality of food
B - Selection of food dishes
C - Presentation of food
D - Overall restaurant ambience
E - Wait staff function
F - Wait staff appearance
G - Seating arrangement
H - Type of seating and comfort

A. 4. if the food isnt top notch, why should i spend my money there?

B. 3.5. i hate when i go to a restaurant and have to oder what i think would be the least nauseating.

C. 1. i dont care. as long as it is piled high, i'm good to go.

D. 4. i refuse to go to any place that is frequented by screaming bratty kids. the wait staff should be allowed to take them out back and execute the whole family in the parking lot for disturbing other peoples' meals.

E. 2. all they need to do is take my order when i'm ready, keep an eye on my drink to make sure it is getting too low, and give me the bill when i ask. i hate when they stop by every 5 minutes and try to suck your cock and ask you over anad over agin how your food is.

F. 1. as long as they look presentable, and i dont find any hair/spit/urine/semen in my food, im good to go.

G. 3. HATE tables. i sit in booths only. i dont give a fuck if im eating with just one other person and all that that is left is a booth for 8 people.

H. 3. as long as the seats are cushioned, i'm good to go.

I. 4. QUANTITY! i hate when i order something, and the meal is small as shit. some steak houses will charge you 12 bucks for chicken strips, and all you get is 4 measly strips and some fries. fuck that. if they pull that shit, i will never come back again.

 

[SUST-MAN]

A - Quality of food-----------------------3
B - Selection of food dishes-----------1
C - Presentation of food---------------2
D - Overall restaurant ambience-----4
E - Wait staff function------------------2
F - Wait staff appearance-------------2
G - Seating arrangement--------------2
H - Type of seating and comfort------2

 

[gmanlax7]

good appetizers

good salad, too many places with week ass salads that are basically a bowl of lettuce

youll laugh at this but olive garden always has great salad

 

[flexed1]

good luck and i know of what I speak (wink and no karma sent to me)

 

[SofaGeorge]

What is important to you in your dining experience and in what order?

A - Quality of food 4
B - Selection of food dishes 3
C - Presentation of food 2
D - Overall restaurant ambience 4
E - Wait staff function 2
F - Wait staff appearance 2
G - Seating arrangement 2
H - Type of seating and comfort 1

Please give a rating 1-4 (4 being the highest) as to importance.

Assume that this is a high-end restaurant and money is no object to you.


Please feel free to add any of your own comments or personal experiences.

 

[Frackal]

All I's care about is da mothafucking FOOD

 

[Ceebs]

I rarely go out to eat - we're talking two or three times a year tops - so when I do, I expect to have an experience better than if I'd stayed in and cooked the same meal for myself and guests. What makes a restaurant experience worthy? Awesome food, and an inviting environment to enjoy it in.

Portions should be ample (no teeny entrees that cost $25), dishes based on taste and not what the flavor de rigeur is (like goat cheese on everything for the sake of goat cheese), quality consistent with the same dish (ever ordered your favorite menu item, and then found out they changed the recipe for the worse?), the space should be lit flatteringly (I like soft sepia light), the wait staff should keep my needs met without hovering or fawning (doing so will ensure at least a 25% gratuity), and the noise level should be minimal (no shouting just to be heard over the din of music, other diners, or their kids). Put it all together and you've got a customer for life in me.

Additionally, this is a thread on another board that I post on about restaurant pet peeves - lots of good insights: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36685

 

[Ceebs]

Oh, and for a shining example of all of the above: http://www.jakesdelmar.com/

 

[Ffactor]

25% tip??? Have you lost your mind woman? They'll be lucky if they get 15% unless the waitress is hot and gives me a blow job to go along with my meal!

 

[TheProject]

25% tip??? Have you lost your mind woman? They'll be lucky if they get 15% unless the waitress is hot and gives me a blow job to go along with my meal!

Cheapskate.

I know you're from Maryland, but damn.

 

[Ceebs]

25% tip??? Have you lost your mind woman?

No, I believe that good service should be rewarded. Note that I said good - mediocre or unimpressive service would warrant a smaller tip.