What Is It About Fine Dining?

May 12
18:09

2014

Carl Petrucci

Carl Petrucci

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Fine Dining is an exquisite expirience, and this article explains why. An upscale establishment takes great pains in ensuring that every experience makes you feel like you were the only customer.

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Why is it that when you ask a woman out for dinner she always asks if it is a fine dining restaurant? Is it because she wants to know what to wear? Is she afraid she'll use the wrong fork or her manners are not up to par? I asked some friends about fine dining and they each had their own answer.

The answer I liked best was that when you go to a fine dining restaurant they go out of their way to make you feel special. Everyone likes to feel important and enjoys being pampered. An upscale establishment takes great pains in ensuring that every experience makes you feel like you were the only customer.

This begins at the front door with the Maitre'd. Sometimes you have a reservation so you announce yourself: Jones,What Is It About Fine Dining? Articles part of two for 7 o'clock. He now knows who you are and so does all your wait staff. They will call you by name when they address you. It makes you feel special. If you didn't have a reservation they still find ways to get your name. My friend said that if it is a difficult or foreign name, you will be addressed as 'sir.'

When you go to your local seafood restaurant they will just show you to a table and tell you that your waiter will be with you shortly. There is nothing special about it - but at least everyone is treated equally.

At the fine dining restaurant the table will be a work of art with a crisp white cloth, linen napkins, shiny silverware and maybe fresh flowers on the table. But it may be a single flower so it is not intrusive. For upscale dining a different person will take your drink order than the person taking your food order. The food server may tell you about evening specials if there are any, but he or she will be able to answer any question you have about what is on the menu.

If you are having difficulties making up your mind, your server may make a suggestion of one of the upscale restaurant's signature appetizers while you make your final decision. He may suggest something to share like Stuffed Artichoke Hearts that have been prepared with pickled shaved fennel slaw with a champagne vinegar mustard dipping sauce. The appetizer looked as good as it tasted!

You may opt for an 8-ounce filet mignon. It is a half-pound of succulent tenderloin so how can you go wrong? When you order it at a prime steakhouse your platter is placed in front of you with your steak and baked potato just like you requested. At the fine dining restaurant the meal is presented to you. The plate is a work of art that you hate to disturb - but you do anyway. This fine meal is accompanied by balsamic grilled vegetables and a special potato dish. There is nothing plain about this meal.

Your date may have ordered something simple like baked snapper, but when her meal was presented her work of art included a baked fresh red snapper filet layered with shaved tomato and sweet onion topped with lemonette and crumpled feta cheese. Plus she had fresh, tender asparagus and roasted garlic, horseradish potatoes.

This is what upscale dining is all about. Here is a restaurant that makes you feel special and serves food that is in the stratosphere. No dining experience will ever be the same. You can have your seafood restaurant and I will take the fine dining restaurant.