| There are many factors that people consider when | | | | out that everything is OK. The staff should be |
| choosing a restaurant to dine out at. The main thing | | | | knowledgeable about the food and drinks they are |
| has got to be the food: | | | | serving. |
| · Is the menu interesting? | | | | Cleanliness also ranks highly as a deciding factor. That |
| · Is the food tasty? | | | | means everything from the kitchen, cutlery, |
| · Is it served at the right temperature? | | | | crockery, glasses, floors, staff and toilets. Unclean |
| · Is it attractively presented? | | | | restaurants not only put customers off but can also |
| · Are the portions the size you expect? | | | | pose a genuine health risk. |
| · Is the food cooked to the specifications of | | | | The ambiance of a place will affect your dining |
| the customer? | | | | experience. Venues range from cosy and intimate to |
| · Does the food smell good? | | | | trendy and brightly lit. Some have live music, others |
| · Could you easily have cooked it yourself? | | | | have recorded music and some have nothing at all. |
| You can ask for menus to be sent to you, view | | | | Also consider if the clientele are your scene and |
| them on notice boards outside the venue or look | | | | whether children are catered for. The setting will also |
| them up online. For other factors you will need to ask | | | | affect the ambiance - whether the venue is in the |
| people who have already been. A good way to find | | | | town or in a rural location. |
| out is to read restaurant guides and reviews (which | | | | Facilities offered by the restaurant matter to varying |
| can be easily looked up online). It is also a good idea | | | | degrees to different people. For some, a facility such |
| to check the wine list to see if there is a good | | | | as disabled access or catering for special allergies will |
| selection that compliments the dishes on the menu. | | | | be high on the list whereas for others it would not |
| Good food on its own is not enough to attract and | | | | be. You should consider whether you can park easily |
| retain customers if the restaurant rates badly in | | | | at the venue or somewhere nearby. It is also best to |
| other key areas. | | | | check whether you can or should book in advance |
| The speed and quality of service is another very | | | | and whether service charge is added to your bill to |
| important factor when choosing a restaurant. Staff | | | | avoid any nasty surprises later. |
| should be polite, friendly, helpful, not too intrusive and | | | | The price of your meal is obviously important, but |
| not too slow with taking orders. They should | | | | only you can decide what your budget is and |
| welcome guests immediately on arrival and also be | | | | whether you think the restaurant gives you value for |
| checking with customers when the food has come | | | | money. |