Ensuring a Great Dining Experience

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When you think about what constitutes a good restaurant ask yourself, "Good for what?"

Think about whether you are looking for a great wine list, a kid friendly atmosphere or a place to close a business deal. Do you want to experience the creations of a great chef, or simply refuel and collect your thoughts?

Unless the restaurant is a real dog, and those don't stay around long these days, chances are expectations will be a key determinant in your overall satisfaction with your dining experience.

That said, there are few additional factors to consider.

1. Location: If you are meeting people at a restaurant, try to select one that is easy to find and has adequate parking. When entertaining out-of-towners you may want to opt for outdoor seating, allowing your guests to soak up Minnesota's beautiful summer sunshine, or select a place with a great view. If your companion just got off a plane in January with no coat, however, she probably won't appreciate icy sidewalks or a brisk invigorating walk.
2. Ambience: Either for business or personal reasons, sometimes it's important that a dining experience go particularly well. For those times, be sure to visit the restaurant in advance. Go in for a drink or coffee and a dessert. Check out the noise level, the seating arrangements, the décor, even the restrooms. Then decide whether to book a table.
3. Service: Service does not have to be a one-way relationship. Help the wait staff give you great service by being friendly and moving things on the table aside to allow them to serve you more easily. Most staff will reciprocate by being more attentive to your needs, and your dining companions will notice as well.
4. Menu: Food is often secondary to the overall dining experience, but some food is so exquisite and memorable that it's worth waiting for in long lines or putting up with a few inconveniences. Consider the reputation of the chef and know what his specialties are. Check out the wine list before you go. It may consist of a small collection of extremely good-and pricy-bottles, matched to specific dishes on the menu, or it may be broad. In any case, it's a good idea to know the wines and the dishes and be able to make a recommendation.
5. The Deal Breaker: Most cities have several good restaurants competing for your dining dollars. If a place isn't clean and doesn't treat you well, move on.

Karen Y Larkin lives in Bloomington, Minnesota, with her husband, daughter and menagerie of pets. Her professional background includes banking, marketing, retail and non-profit management, with such heavyweights at U.S. Bank, Target Corp and the American Heart Association. Visit her website, Restaurants Edina. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Larkin

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