The Kitchen Novice

How to Find a True Fine Dining Restaurant

Posted on Oct 01, 2009 under restaurant review

Each time I explore a new city, I do a Google search for fine dining restaurants. It is amazing to me how many restaurants classify themselves as gourmet. Chain restaurants are advertising themselves in an area that anyone who has ever been to a five star restaurant knows that they fall far short of.

A true first class restaurant should have at the very least these qualities:

1) Extraordinary service.
2) Fine linens and silverware
3) The proper placement of forks, knives and spoons.
4) Consistency
5) Cleanliness
6) Food that you rave about for weeks.
7) Attention to detail

Here is what you should never experience:

1) A wait staff who greets you with,” How are you guys doing?”
2) Forks that are exactly the same size next to your plate. There should at the bare minimum be a salad fork and a fork for your entree.
3) Dust on lamps, furniture or plants.
4) Food that looks like it came out of the microwave or is just slopped on the plate.

A true fine dining restaurant is one where you walk in the door and there is instantly someone there to greet you. The atmosphere is conducive to dining. No screaming children. No loud music. No overheard shouts from the kitchen. There should be some type of classical music playing in the background and the restaurant itself should be immaculate and have an air of refinement.

When you are seated, the waiter should place the napkin in your lap and should pull out the chairs for the ladies. Women are always served first. If the waiter should have to reach for something on the table, he should always ask your pardon first. Water glasses should be filled without asking. If you request sparkling or bottled water that can be brought to you later.

The staff should be knowledgeable about the standard menu, as well as the daily specials. He should also have a basic knowledge of the wines and be able to refer you to the sommelier with any questions.

When the food arrives, it should be arranged on the plate like a piece of art. Your meal should be appealing to both the eye and the palate. And your waiter or sommelier should know which wines would pair well with your particular food selection.

The food itself should be above par and the chef should be open to creation. Expect to find old recipes brought together in new ways, in addition to meals that you would not have thought of before. Gourmet cuisine should entice every one of your senses. Your first bite should halt your need for conversation while you allow yourself to enjoy each tantalizing flavor.

How many “fine dining” restaurants have you been to that can deliver all of that? When seeking a gourmet restaurant start with Google then go to Frommers and compare notes. I have found that Frommers does a very nice job of giving accurate reviews. Finally look at the awards that the restaurant has won. Do they have the Ivy Award, the Dironna Award or the Best of the Best Five Star Diamond Award? If not keep looking. Finding a restaurant with all of these qualifications can be challenging but well worth the reward.