How to Pick a RestaurantWhether you are on a road trip, a day’s outing or just making sales calls in various cities you usually ask yourself the simple question, "Where should I eat?" by Marge Bittetti
Whether you are on a road trip, a day’s outing or just making sales calls in various cities you usually ask yourself the simple question, "Where should I eat?" If you are staying somewhere overnight you can ask the desk clerk but if you do, keep in mind that you have no idea what this individual considers a good meal. It might be a can of spaghetti and a couple of candy bars, or a six-pack and a bag of chips.
When you look are a place to eat; use your senses to help you decide where to eat.
Eyes Some cities enforce strict health codes and have regular restaurants inspections. The highest rating is usually an "A." Los Angeles County and San Diego County have this type of rating system. The restaurants are required to post their health rating in the front window. If you are visiting a city with a similar rating system; be sure to always select a restaurant with an "A" quality health rating. Read restaurant reviews in tour books. These guide publications have staff and resources available to check and report on a wide variety of dining establishments. If the city that you are visiting does not have a rating system and is not in a tour guide, drive or walk around; especially if it is near peak lunch or dinner hours and find a place that looks popular. Look for people waiting outside to get into a restaurant. It must be good if people are willing to wait. If the restaurant features ethnic cuisine, look for people of that same nationality dining there. Look at the servers; do they appear happy and friendly? Do diners look as if they are enjoying their food? Make sure there is no visible signs of trash or anything that looks out of the ordinary. You can walk into to any restaurant and request to look at the menu; use this time to also look around the restaurant.
Ears What does the restaurant sound like? Is it noisy? Does it have a calming effect? Is there background music playing? Does the restaurant suit your mood and occasion? A noisy café might be fine for a quick sandwich but it might be too hectic for a business meeting or a romantic dinner.
Nose How does the restaurant smell? Is it filled with the aroma of herbs and spices or does it just seem to have an odor? A seafood restaurant should not smell fishy; the older fish gets the stronger the odors. Does your nose send the message to your brain that something good must be cooking or do you just keep whiffing the air repeating the words, "I smelled that odor before, what is it?"
Taste Last but not least; after you have selected a restaurant and been served your food; your taste buds will instantly tell you if you have made the right restaurant selection. If the first bite is heaven and the second bite is even better; you can smile and relax. You have become your own culinary expert and food critic and you can enjoy your taste-pleasing dining decision.
How to Pick a Restaurant
