Ooh this was a tantalising read!! My rule since my teens has been, if everything looks good, order the fish/seafood main course and the fruit-based dessert. The margin between a restaurant steak and a lovely steak at home isn't as large as the difference between seafood at a nice restaurant and what I can easily obtain/have the expertise to cook well at home. Similarly for pudding - chocolate desserts are unlikely to be a paradigm shift from a pot au creme or brownie at home, but I've had some incredible idiosyncratic fruit based puddings! And yes to anything seasonal/local vegetable dish.
I love this and need to know: how much do you let reviews inform your order vs. flying blind and getting whatever sounds good? I sometimes like to know what the skips/must-gets are, especially if it's a spendier spot, but also... surprise and delight, baby!
Yeah, same. If it's a new place or a new menu, I'll ask the waiter for one or two must orders, and I'll text friends the same question before arriving.
If it's a place I'm particularly excited about with a huge menu — like my first visit to RVR — I'll do some iG stalking on the restaurant page and the tags to see if something catches my eye.
Re: the waiter’s recs, I don’t think it’s a red flag if they suggest two things for opposing tastes. If they say something like “if you’re looking for something light, I like this, if you’re looking for a full entree, I like this” or “this is my favorite vegetarian dish, this is my favorite meat dish” kind of thing.
I sincerely am curious to know if thoughts of historically high rates of food insecurity cross the minds of writers about dining experiences that maybe 5% of people in the U.S. can afford.
Great post! I agree with the importance of knowing how to order but restaurants with small menus and high prices shouldn’t all dishes be worth a try?
I live in Vancouver and most of the higher end restaurants I have been to have not been up to par with the price. Maybe its al differents between cities.
Ooh this was a tantalising read!! My rule since my teens has been, if everything looks good, order the fish/seafood main course and the fruit-based dessert. The margin between a restaurant steak and a lovely steak at home isn't as large as the difference between seafood at a nice restaurant and what I can easily obtain/have the expertise to cook well at home. Similarly for pudding - chocolate desserts are unlikely to be a paradigm shift from a pot au creme or brownie at home, but I've had some incredible idiosyncratic fruit based puddings! And yes to anything seasonal/local vegetable dish.
This is a very good take
I love this and need to know: how much do you let reviews inform your order vs. flying blind and getting whatever sounds good? I sometimes like to know what the skips/must-gets are, especially if it's a spendier spot, but also... surprise and delight, baby!
I personally rarely use reviews to order, but I will ask friends who I know have been if there are must-gets! Sometimes I listen :)
Yeah, same. If it's a new place or a new menu, I'll ask the waiter for one or two must orders, and I'll text friends the same question before arriving.
If it's a place I'm particularly excited about with a huge menu — like my first visit to RVR — I'll do some iG stalking on the restaurant page and the tags to see if something catches my eye.
What tax bracket is this
LOVE THIS A LOT!
Re: the waiter’s recs, I don’t think it’s a red flag if they suggest two things for opposing tastes. If they say something like “if you’re looking for something light, I like this, if you’re looking for a full entree, I like this” or “this is my favorite vegetarian dish, this is my favorite meat dish” kind of thing.
I sincerely am curious to know if thoughts of historically high rates of food insecurity cross the minds of writers about dining experiences that maybe 5% of people in the U.S. can afford.
Me at the thought of skipping Mac and cheese at kestrel….🤯🤯🤯
Great post! I agree with the importance of knowing how to order but restaurants with small menus and high prices shouldn’t all dishes be worth a try?
I live in Vancouver and most of the higher end restaurants I have been to have not been up to par with the price. Maybe its al differents between cities.