8 Tips To Follow When You Are Dining In Restaurants

Eating out at restaurants can be a daunting task when you are trying to have the best experience possible. From menu choices to ordering the right amount of food, it requires a certain amount of pre-existing knowledge of how the restaurant industry works. 

Here are a few tips that you can follow to make your dining experience the best you’ve ever had.

1. Right Place At The Right Time

Choosing the right time for dining in a restaurant is crucial in having a good experience. Many restauranteurs believe that the ideal time to have dinner at a restaurant is between 7:30pm to 8:30pm. The restaurants are less busy and the waiters are not flying around like a headless chicken. 

2. Be Wary Of “Bracketing”

Bracketing is a term used in the restaurant world to entice the customer into ordering the larger portion size of a dish. By putting options on the menu for a larger option, restaurants create a sense of doubt in your mind about the “small” portion size. The customers who don’t know the difference between the “small” and the “large” portion size, immediately opt for the larger size. The difference might be as small as 5-6 extra fries in your order of french fries but with an higher price point. 

3. Pack A Doggy Bag

Most food served at fancy restaurants contain more than twice the amount of daily caloric intake. A restaurant study conducted by University of Toronto found that restaurant dishes have more sodium and calorie content than what is recommended for an average person. The solution to the problem could be as simple as eating half of the food and packing the rest. 

4. Menu Items Could Be Misleading

Restaurants are in the business of making money and some tend to be overly descriptive of menu items to entice the customers into ordering them. According to a study conducted by Cornell University, dishes with detailed description tends to sell 28% more than a dish without one. When in doubt, ask the waiter for an explanation of the dish before ordering. 

5. Treat Your Waiter Right

Although waiters/servers are there to technically “serve” you, it doesn’t mean they deserve any less of your respect. The nicer you are to your waiter, the better service you get. According to Adrian Caravello, professor in food and beverage management program at George Brown College in Toronto, a customer’s demeanour and mannerisms is directly related to the level of service he or she gets. 

6. Ordering “House” Wine

House wines are your basic red and white wines which serves its purpose of complementing your dish and providing the necessary alcohol buzz. It is neither a high class version of wines or a cheaper option. If you are not a wine connoisseur and don’t know the difference between a shiraz and a cabernet sauvignon, house wines are your best option. 

7. Specials Menu Is A Scam

As anyone who has ever worked in the hospitality industry would tell you, the specials menu doesn’t really have anything special. It is basically a list of dishes which the restaurants want to get rid of or is comparatively more expensive than other items on the menu. Restaurants put up a specials menu to entice the customers into spending more money. Look over the menu thoroughly before ordering anything from the “specials” menu. 

8. Split The Dessert

Unless you are subscribed to the “who cares” diet plan, it is recommended to split your dessert at some of these fancy restaurants. According to a study conducted by University of Toronto, an average restaurant dessert contains upto half of your daily calorie intake. So, splitting your dessert could be a better way to eat healthier at a restaurant. 

Make sure to follow these tips for that special dining experience for you and your loved ones. After all, we do go to restaurants to be part of a special experience that comes without any potential setbacks. These tips will help in minimising those setbacks, so you can enjoy a pleasurable evening out.