On Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:26:16 -0700, ImStillMags wrote:

> I have a question for this group.
>
<snippage>

> Really think about why you like a particular place and consider it your
> go-to place when you want to go out to eat.
>
> Any thoughts you have are most appreciated.

Good food - a varied menu, with different menu items using different
ingredients, and not *one single* ingredient that appears in virtually
everything (I'm looking at you cheese, and I still don't like you).
Quality over quantity, flavor counts most.

Professional wait staff who know when they are needed, when not, and that
they work in a service industry. Average staff will do at a pinch, but one
major staff blunder (rudeness, waiting staff chatting when 3 tables are
waving for attention) puts a restaurant on the 'do not visit for at least
2 years' list. Duty manager's blunder 5 years.

A decent wine list is never a bad thing. 'Ambiance' doesn't matter much as
long as the 'music' doesn't get in the way of normal conversation;
comfortable seating and minimum distance between tables does matter. Don't
try to turn a 100-seater into a 130-seater by doing a 'cosy' decor with
low lighting and tables packed closely together. Rather charge a bit more
(within reasonable limits - I will gladly pay for quality food and
service, but not to be 'seen in one of the most trendy and overpriced
places in town')

And obviously a decent smoking section. If not, a restaurant won't ever
make it further than my 'let's find out what that place is like' list.

-j