A good restaurant should make you feel welcome. When you arrive, how are you greeted?

At the table
Once you are seated, be aware of your surroundings. The room, tableware and linen should be clean, and your chair comfortable. Is the music appropriate and not too loud? The lighting can be atmospheric, but should allow you to see your dining companions and read the menu.

The menu
When it comes to ordering, the menu is your passport to any dining experience. Are the dishes reflective of the restaurant’s theme (i.e. Italian, steak house or bistro fare)? Is the font legible and the layout easy to navigate?

If foreign vocabulary is used, or the dishes need some explaining, are the accompanying descriptions clear? A good menu is easy to understand and reading it should be exciting rather than confusing.

Service
A good waitron should guide you through your dining experience, and s/he should know his menu, specials and wine choices by heart. Service should be friendly without being familiar. Don’t be afraid to ask for small changes to dishes; a good restaurant serves to please.

The actual dish
When your food arrives (within a reasonable amount of time!), be aware of what you are eating – how it is presented, the portion size and whether it is true to its menu description.

Look for a balance of textures, flavours and colours, but above all, ask yourself: is this delicious? Am I enjoying myself? If your dish is disappointing, tell your waiter or the manager. A good restaurant will know how to take criticism with good grace, and will try to rectify any problems immediately.

Tip!
Finally, if the food and service are good – tip. It’s a way of showing appreciation. And of course, the best way to keep a good restaurant in business is to return – again and again.

– Abigail