Fine Dining Means the Best Meal You've Ever Had

When we think of “fine dining” our mind often drifts away to the most spectacular restaurant and truly awesome foods we have ever eaten, right? Ambiance and excellence in service along with a large expansive menu that has virtually every palate pleasing savory concoction imaginable from which to select. Well that sounds fantastic but there are several things that may not exactly work in that concept. How and where to find such a fine dining establishment and what constitutes a gourmet meal are questions that must be answered before settling down to dine. What one person considers “gourmet” doesn’t necessarily match other impressions.

Gourmet dining or how to read behind the menu lines

Here in the UK we understand gourmet or fine dining as eating in an establishment which has tablecloths and cloth napkins, formal and elegant décor, and a service staff that is courteous as well as extremely helpful. We expect the food to be of superior quality and whilst prices may not exactly be reasonable they should reflect the high quality we expect from our dining experience. In other words, if you must first check out the pricing on the menu, you may not want to eat there.

Setting the scene for a top quality dining experience

• Reservations are a must! Top quality restaurants have a waiting list that may be months in advance and you must first get on the list.
• Dressing for the occasion means wearing you best “bib and tuck” or at least giving the appearance you can afford to dine there.
• Arriving on time means they won’t give your table to the next in line.
• Reading the menu even though it may be entirely in French or Italian can be avoided if your server is warned that you simply cannot understand it yourself. They will suggest and translate for you so you don’t end up eating snails when you meant truffles and steak.
• Knowing which piece of silverware or flatware is appropriate is another puzzle that confuses some diners. Always think from the outside in and it will work for you. And when you have finished your salad, leave that fork on the plate.
• Eat with grace not like a starving sailor! Menu placed on lap and never talks with your mouth filled with that hunk of steak you just stuffed in there. Cut only 2-3 pieces at a time and never cut your partner’s meat for them! Leave that at home for the kiddies.
• Enjoy each course and linger over the dessert with coffee and time to digest. Who picks up the tab should be decided before hand and married couples should allow the husband to handle the bill paying.
• Tip generously if the server has done a spectacular job. Tip the slacker a bit less than generous at perhaps 15%. They may take the hint and step up their service with the next customer.
Dining should be enjoyed and treated as a special occasion. Sampling new and exotic foods is a learning experience we all should try yet who doesn’t enjoy the simple pleasure of a burger or pizza occasionally?