4 Best tips for choosing family restaurants

When we choose a restaurant for dinner, we take in some simple considerations: Location - how close is it to the house? Service – are severs attentive to your needs? Food quality – are the portions adequate and is the food good? Ambiance – was the room clean and visually appealing? Each of these factors will determine the quality of dining experience and if we, will return. Therefore, it is imperative that a first-time customer have the best dinning experience to assure their return. We need to understand that customers come in with an open mind; that they have never experienced this restaurant’s environment, service or food.

Good restaurants will take advantage of this every time. If you go to a four-star restaurant, the Matre De or host will ask if you have dined with them before? If you say no, they will politely explain house specialties, traditions, and special events that are going on that evening. This insures the customer will understand the dinning environment and be able to experience the ambiance.

As an entertainer, we can help a restaurant achieve this experience by providing an enjoyable atmosphere so customers will remember the fun they had and overlook the poor service or lukewarm meal. A comical magician rooming the lobby of a crowded restaurant can make customers forget that they have been waiting over an hour for a seat. Moms and dads can enjoy a nice peaceful dinner as the kids play with their new balloon animals. A family gathering will turn in to one big party as the clown interacts with aunts, uncles and cousins.

If your first experience at a restaurant is bad, the likelihood of you returning is slim. Most individuals are very critical of a restaurant on the first visit. So as an entertainer, we need to provide the customer with an exceptionally good time. If the parents enjoy the meal and the kids have fun, you can be positive the family will return. Kids can dictate which restaurant a parent visits. McDonald’s has learned that giving a toy in a kid’s meal the child will want to return to the restaurant. My neighbor’s child likes going to the Sunday pancake house because he receives a helium balloon every weekend. The parents like it because the food is good. Smart restaurant owners understand kids control the family dinning experience and provide special kids meals, coloring material or games at a table.

At family restaurant you first preferred the atmosphere, All you are seeking for the place where you can have your meal with a great deal.

A Guide to Fine Dining – Tips for Elegant Eating

Dining out with that special someone? Taking co-workers or prospective clients out to a fine dining restaurant? Make sure you mind your manners and make a good impression with these tips.

Keep your Reservations: Fine dining restaurants usually require reservations. To be sure they can accommodate you and your party makes a reservation well in advance. If the amount of people change or the your unable to attend dinner during your reservation time, make sure you call and let them know. It’s common curiosity to tell the restaurant that you no longer are going to be dining there and it’s a a must if you frequent the restaurant or want to make future reservations. Dress appropriately: call ahead to find out what dress requirements the restaurant has. Some finer dining establishments have very strict dress codes and may require you to wear certain attire to eat in the restaurant. Don’t cause embarrassment by showing up unprepared; this will only cause you, your guests, and the restaurant great inconvenience. Understanding the Menu: Often times at fine dining establishments, entrees can be in languages you’re unable to read let alone say. While it may seem embarrassing to have to ask what a menu item is, don’t assume you’re the only one who has done it. Asking your server will help you choose something you will enjoy and something that will be worth the money you put towards it. If you’ve asked a few questions and still aren’t sure what you want off the menu, ask your sever about the feature entr?e or the chef’s signature dish. Chances are the chef’s signature dish is going to be great, so as long as it’s something you think you can eat then try going with that. Mind Your Manners: Manners a must at a fine dining restaurant. Be sure to practice chivalry when women are present, this means getting up when they excuse themselves, or pulling out their chairs when they return to the table. It’s also important to practice when receiving your food. Place your napkin across your lap before you eat and when you do get your meal be polite and don’t just dig in. Even if you’re starving and haven’t had anything to eat in days, don’t dive into your meal the minute the server places it in front of you. It’s customary and polite to wait for everyone in your party to receive your food before their meal. Wine: Unless you’re a very experienced wine connoisseur, chances are the wine list at a fine dining restaurant can be a little daunting. If you’re not sure what wine to choose, ask your server for suggestions. Your server or another member of the restaurant staff should have a decent understanding of wine and should be able to guide you in the right direction. If the staff seems less than helpful, choose something that you are familiar with. It may be a good idea to read up on your wines before going dining out. This way you can have a few backup wines in mind. Tipping: A tip is an essential part of your dining experience and should act as a reflection of the service you have had. The average amount for a tip is between 15 and 20 percent of your total bill. If you had superb service and want to show your server you appreciate them give him or her little extra. If your service was less than subpar it’s okay to tip less, but unless your service was absolutely awful it’s generally not a good idea to not tip at all. Make sure you tip the server based on his or her service.

Article Source: kashish restaurant

Cake Decorating Guide - How To Make The Perfect Birthday Cake

Want to create the best looking birthday cake for your child's next birthday party? There are a number of steps that you can follow to make sure that you create the perfect cake each and every time. Here is a simple cake decorating guide that you can use to create the best looking cake possible for your kid's upcoming party.

1. Baking the cake. This is probably the easiest step of them all because all you have to do is follow the baking instructions that are provided with the cake mix that you purchased. Sometimes cakes can end up being a little dry. If you want to avoid this, consider adding a tiny bit more of some of the wet ingredients that are used in preparing the cake. One great way that you can increase the moistness of your cake is by adding another egg to the recipe. When the cake has finished cooking, allow it to cool overnight. Consider placing the cake in the refrigerator in order to achieve maximum cooling results.

2. Ice the cake. Before you attempt to do any decorating, make sure you ice the cake completely and smooth out any lumps and bumps that might exist. This initial icing layer should be allowed to cool before you continue with the drawing process. Again, place the cake in the refrigerator in order to let the frosting set up firmly.

3. Prepare your drawing tools. Having a well organized work space with your drawing tools ready and waiting will help make the cake drawing process go much more smoothly. Place all of your drawing accessories and tools in one place, place the cake decorating bags in another, and place the excess colored icing in another. Consider placing your cake decorating bags in tall glass jars, tip end down, to keep them organized and prevent icing messes.

4. Create the easiest decorations first. Draw borders and other large items first since these will be the easiest items to draw. Large bottom borders, top borders, and other large items can be drawn on in order to provide a starting point for other more detailed decorations and drawings.

5. Practice on other surfaces. Before you draw directly on the cake, consider drawing on another surface in order to get the drawing or decoration just right. When you are confident that you have it down, then go ahead and draw on the cake. You can use a cookie sheet or another flat surface as a practice area for your drawings. After each practice attempt, simply scoop up the icing with a spatula and place it back into the cake decorating bag.

6. Use accessories. There are plenty of common kitchen utensils and tools that can be used to make great looking designs. You can use forks, spoons, knives, spatulas, measuring cups, and many other common kitchen items to make creative and original designs for your birthday cake masterpiece. You can also use other items such as candy, nuts, decorating sprinkles, and many other items to create a perfectly decorated cake for your child's birthday party.

Source: Ezine Articles

6 Rules for Business Meals: What Not to Do

Ordering properly, tackling the bread basket, manning utensils, staying sober, and surviving endless courses can be challenging. But becoming well-mannered isn’t as simple as reading Emily Post. It takes planning, some education, and plenty of self-awareness. Here are 10 things to avoid if you don’t want that crucial meal to be memorable for the wrong reasons.

1. Don’t go to a restaurant unprepared

Many restaurants today post their menus online, and for those that don’t, there’s always MenuPages. If you’re going to a restaurant with a boss or prospective boss, check out the menu and make some selections beforehand so you don’t get thrown by the choices or appear indecisive. And if you hate the cuisine, get over it and find something on the menu you can eat, says Peggy Newfield, founder of the Atlanta-based American School of Protocol. After all, the meeting isn’t about the food.

2. Don’t sit down hungry

If you’re ravenous, you’ll be lightheaded and unable to focus on the conversation, and you’ll want to wolf down everything on your plate. That draws the wrong sort of attention your way. So before heading out, munch on a protein bar, some cheese and crackers, or a small meal. (If you have a drink at dinner, the snack will also help absorb the alcohol and ensure you don’t get drunk or lightheaded.)

3. Don’t order the T-bone when your boss is having the Cobb salad

In these health-conscious times, you’ll often dine with bosses and managers who order lighter meals. So if the boss recommends the Cobb salad, don’t order the T-bone with five side dishes. It could signal that you lack discipline in other areas or that you wouldn’t fit in well at the company. By the same token, if the boss strongly recommends a certain dish or drink, don’t say no, even if you don’t really want it. “Maybe you don’t finish it,” says Sam Gordon, CIO practice director at executive search firm Harvey Nash. “But don’t spurn the hospitality.”

4. Don’t make the most common table mistakes

Some of these include blowing your nose into your napkin, chewing with your mouth open, and putting your fingers in your mouth.
Other no-nos:

•    Don’t put your napkin on the table when excusing yourself during the meal. Place it on your chair. It goes on the table when you are leaving the restaurant.


•    Memorize the BMW rule: Bread plate to the left, Meat in the middle, and Water to the right.

•    Don’t put your utensils on the table. They belong on the plate.

•    Never, ever eat off another person’s plate.

5. Don’t eat like a kid

Slicing your meat into bite-size pieces before you start eating might inspire a recruiter to offer you a juice box instead of a job. Always cut food as you go. And how you eat your bread speaks volumes, says Neels. “Slicing a big roll, slapping on a slab of butter, and cramming it shut like a hoagie is the biggest sign that you just walked off the turnip truck,” she says. Instead, pull off a piece of bread and use your knife to spread a little butter on it.

6. Don’t order foods that stain, are hard to eat, or get stuck in teeth

Melted cheese sticks to facial hair. Greasy food smears lipstick and speckles ties. Avoid spaghetti, which might fly off your fork; cherry tomatoes, which risk popping; sloppy sandwiches; and anything with sauces. Broccoli and spinach can ruin your smile. The best bet is to order the blandest, easiest-to-eat dish on the menu, like a salad or a piece of meat or fish without sauce.



Source: Yahoo Shine

5 Tips for Handling a Bad Waiter

The number one complaint of restaurant diners is not the internal temperature of porterhouse, the crispness of fried calamari, or the martini's strength. Nor is it the soundtrack or banquettes color. It has nothing to do with food or decor. The top gripe among those who eat out is service.

As customers, how should we deal with poor service? (Hint: it has more to do with you than you think). Here are tips to dealing with that odd and mercurial species of restaurant employee known as The Server.


1. They're servers not servants. Smile. Be nice to them and they'll be nice to you. That's my number one tip for good service. You'd be amazed how terribly some customers treat servers. Anyone who has ever been a waiter or waitress (a job everyone should be forced to try at least once) knows how much a customers' attitude can dictate their overall dining experience. And if you've ever snapped your fingers, whistled, or yelled to get the attention of a waiter, shame on you.

2. Not everything that goes wrong in a restaurant is the servers' fault. Remember, they're just one cog in the wheel. The long wait for the food is most likely the kitchen's responsibility. Perhaps the host sat too many tables at once, which would explain why drinks are taking so long. So before you start mouthing off, remembers someone else may be to blame. Having said that, a good waiter will always apologize for delays and give you regular updates on the whereabouts of your food.

3. One way to avoid bad service is to eat at the bar, a favorite tactic of restaurant insiders. The server/bartender never leaves your sight, which makes it really hard for them to ignore you.

4. If you do get a waiter-from-heck there are a few courses to take. You can grin and bear it, take the abuse, and eventually show your displeasure where it hurts the server the most--the tip. (Some restaurants pool tips so just know your financial penalty might not have the effect you intend.) Another option is to pull the manager (or whoever looks like they are in charge) aside and let them know what's going on. Politely ask for another server. Management at any restaurant worth returning to will oblige. If they don't, leave and tell every person you know about the experience. No need to make a scene.

5. If all else fails, write the restaurant (or, more specifically, the owner) a letter explaining the situation. During a busy service even the best restaurants have a difficult time addressing specific problems and issues. If you really want to be heard and, with any luck, improve the future dining experiences of others, it's best to put pen to paper a few days after the incident when you've had a few days to reflect on the experience. If it's a restaurant that cares about its reputation, its employees, and its customers, you'll most definitely hear back from them.


Source: Yahoo Shine

10 Easy ways to Eat Smart When Dining Out

Eat at your favorite restaurants without losing your health goal.

Suddenly it seems that chain restaurants like Applebee's, T.G.I. Friday's, Olive Garden, and Bennigan's are almost as ubiquitous as the Golden Arches. No surprise. There are nearly 200,000 "table side" restaurants in the United States today, a number that continues to grow.

The good news is that's changing. Nearly all the chains have added healthier options to their menus -- if you know how to look for them. But whether you're dining out at a major national chain or a locally owned family restaurant, following a few of these tips can guarantee you a pleasant dinner (or lunch) out without busting your health goals.

1. Above all else, be assertive. Dining out is no time to be a meek consumer, notes Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and coauthor of the book Restaurant Confidential. "You need to be an assertive consumer by asking for changes on the menu," he says. For instance, if an item is fried, ask for it grilled. If it comes with french fries, ask for a side of veggies instead. Ask for a smaller portion of the meat and a larger portion of the salad; for salad instead of coleslaw; baked potato instead of fried. "Just assume you can have the food prepared the way you want it," says Dr. Jacobson. "Very often, the restaurant will cooperate." Below, you'll find more specific requests.

2. Ask your waiter to "triple the vegetables, please." Often a side of vegetables in a restaurant is really like garnish -- a carrot and a forkful of squash. When ordering, ask for three or four times the normal serving of veggies, and offer to pay extra. "I've never been charged," says dietitian Jeff Novick, R.D., director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Aventura, Florida. "And I've never been disappointed. I get full, not fat."

3. Ask how the food was prepared; don't go by the menu. For instance, cholesterol-free does not mean fat-free; the dish could still be filled with calorie-dense oil. Neither does "lite" necessarily mean light in calories or fat.

4. Order from the "healthy, light, low fat" entrées on the menu. Most chains will even list the calories and nutritional content of such foods. Applebee's, for instance, offers approved Weight Watchers options, Bennigan's has its Health Club entrées (which it will serve in half portions), and Ruby Tuesday lists the nutritional information for its entire menu.

5. Beware of the low-carb options. Restaurant chains have jumped on the low-carb bandwagon, offering numerous low-carb options on their menu. But low-carb doesn't mean low-cal.

6. Order a salad before ordering anything else on the menu. Scientists at Pennsylvania State University found that volunteers who ate a big veggie salad before the main course ate fewer calories overall than those who didn't have a first-course salad, notes Novick.

7. Check the menu before you leave home. Most chains post their menus on their Web sites. For instance, Ruby Tuesday's Smart Eating menu tells you the restaurant only uses canola oil and even provides nutritional information on its salad bar. You can decide before you ever hit the hostess stand what you're going to order. Conversely, if you don't see anything that's healthy, pick another restaurant.

8. Skip the fancy drinks. If you must order an alcoholic drink, forget the margaritas, piña coladas, and other exotic mixed drinks. They include sugary additions that only add calories. Opt instead for a glass of wine, a light beer, a vodka and tonic or a simple martini (without the chocolate liquor, sour green apple schnapps, or triple sec).

9. Order fish. Just make sure it's not fried. When the CSPI evaluated food served at seafood chains and independent restaurants, researchers found low-fat and low-sodium options abounded. Plus, you can order seafood so many different ways -- steamed, baked, broiled, sautéed, blackened, or grilled. Nix any sauces, or ask for them on the side.

10. Skip the dessert. You can always have some sorbet or even a small piece of chocolate at home. That is much better health wise than the Triple Chocolate Meltdown or a mountain of ice cream topped by a second mountain of whipped cream.

Source: Yahoo Shine

10 ways to save big at restaurants

If you're like me, you love dining out and would sooner sacrifice cable and cell phones before you're willing to throw in the restaurant towel. Thankfully, there are cheap ways to do it, without having to make major sacrifices. Now is the time to learn how to love eating out for less and here are some tips to get you started.

1. Learn to share
Unless you're at a super fancy , where pasta portions are the size of a fist, there's no reason (and no excuse) not to split. The typical American portion size feeds two people. It's time we got a little more portion conscious, anyway.

2. Ditch the bottled water
Many restaurants filter their tap water so bottled water is a wasted expense.

3. Become an early bird
 Restaurants often extend deals to early diners. Call ahead to find out about early-bird or happy hour specials.

4. Belly-up to the bar
Bar menus are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and delicious. 9 times out of 10, they're also cheaper.

5. Doggy-bag it
There is no shame in taking home leftovers and with a little creativity, you can whip up a few new meals out of last nights dinner.

6. Brush up on your comedy act
Chat it up with the staff and extra points if you can make them laugh with you. While you're at it, ask if there's a mailing list with specials and discounts for loyal customers.

7. Make Sunday the new Friday
Many restaurants are jumping on the discounted "Sunday supper" bandwagon. Call ahead and inquire.

8. Make sides the new appetizer
Sides can be just as big and just as good as appetizers. Don't be shy and ask for your side to come first.


9. Do group dinners
Call ahead to find out if there are special menus for big parties. Most restaurant want the business and will work with you to find a comfortable price. So, sharpen those negotiation skills.

10. BYOB
We all know restaurants charge an arm and a leg for drinks. Find out the best BYOB establishments near you and bring your favorite inexpensive bottle of wine.

Source: Yahoo Shine