What do you expect from a restaurant

Mister Vain · 24-07-2017 09:52PM

Small portions and cold hard vegetables.

John_Rambo · 25-07-2017 09:14AM

Weird expectations from some fussy folk here!

What I expect in my regular noodle bar is not what I’d expect in a fine dining restaurant. What I’d expect in a sushi bar isn’t what I’d expect in a gastro pub. I wouldn’t be demanding “space” in a busy French Bistro or a family run convivial Italian diner.

The only things I’d expect from all the above is cleanliness, good, fresh food and good service.

ben.schlomo · 25-07-2017 11:43AM

Pelvis wrote: »

A stable chair at a reasonable height with some form of cushioning, and arm rests would be a nice addition. Nothing worse than a wobbly plank of wood that's barely 2" off the ground.

For the average burger joint I just want a normal soft drink. I'm not interested in your stupid over priced lemonade. If you don't have something as ubiquitous as a diet coke then you can fuck right off.

Space. Space between me and the person either side of me AND behind me!

Air conditioning is nice.

A table that can fit more than 2 plates and a bottle of ketchup.

No loud children.

I had my first experience in a michelin restuarant there a few months ago, as a gift to my girlfriend. The meal incl wine + tip came to over €200. Not something I'll be doing again anytime soon, but it was an experience. Some of the best food I've ever tasted, but as important, it was just a very comfortable, relaxing, therapeutic experience.

This. Have had three Michelin starred experiences in the last twelve months and they've all been superb. Experience is the keyword, excellent and knowledgeable service, ambience, food, wine, surroundings etc. I'm not there to be stuffed to the gills like some heathen down from the hills, its far more than just going for a steak or a burger which i'll do when i'm hungry and need to eat. There's a huge difference. People coming out of Michelin starred restaurants complaining about being hungry or about portion size just shouldn't try them, surely they know what they're getting into.

blue note · 25-07-2017 01:56PM

This is an interesting question, but the answer completely depends on what type of restaurant I'm going to. And also whether by "expect" you mean what I need from the restaurant to be happy or what I actually expect.

But I expect a few things. If I'm going to a restaurant that does a particular type of food, I don't expect them to do other foods well. If I go to a chinese and hear someone complain that they use frozen chips I don't hold that against the restaurant for a second. That's a mistake when ordering. However, when I go to a chinese I expect sickening, glouppy overly sweet food. What I hope for is interesting flavours that I'm not familiar with. There are occasional chinese restaurants that do this, but they're rare. Similarly if I'm going to a place known for it's ribs and wings or the like, I'm not going to order a salad. Although if I am going to a place like that I expect the ribs and wings to be damn tasty!

If I'm going to a casual dining restaurant (mains around the €15 mark) I expect the food to be fresh and properly cooked. So no overcooked chicken or fish, no dodgy reheating jobs. If I splash out and order a steak I expect it to be cooked beyond what I ask for so I always ask for it rare and usually get it medium (which is a shame, I'd much rather medium rare). And the stuff should be pleasant to eat - so well beyond "this is fine." I don't expect an inspired menu, but I do hope to see a couple of things I wouldn't have cooked myself before. I'm not interested in coming out so full I'm nervous someone is going to touch my belly and cause me to projectile vomit. But I would like to come out full.

If I go for a fine dining experience (not just michelin star) I expect an experience. I want to see a few things on the menu that I don't at least fully know what they are. I want to see a couple of types foods that I haven't tried before. The food being cooked properly goes without saying. And I want to be wondering about what I'm eating while eating it. If you go to a fine dining restaurant and don't spend a considerable amount of time talking about what you're eating they have not done their job properly.

As regards service across the board I want the staff to be polite, friendly, attentive, unobtrusive and to know about the menu. The restaurant should certainly be clean.

meeeeh · 25-07-2017 02:21PM

As many stated expectations are different for different types of restaurants. I like to eat simple food but I want ingredients to be fresh and we'll prepared. I think basics should be done well first and then fancier touches should be added. I prefer smaller portions than big chunk of a meet drowned in sauce from a jar.

In more high end places I want food that I couldn't recreate myself, paired with good wine and competent service.

What do you expect from a restaurant

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