Tag: food

The difference between a good restaurant and a bad one

It is relatively easy to tell a good restaurant apart from an awful one. It really is. Those who find themselves consistently dining out need only use common sense to reach a final verdict on the quality of the particular restaurant. Ultimately, when reaching an actual consensus on the quality of a restaurant, it comes down to three main factors: quality of food, the service, and the appeal.


Likely to be the most distinguishing factor of a restaurant, the food is most prominently, what your judgment should be based upon. The meal should always be prepared hot and fresh. Of course, the taste of the meal is the most imperative part of a restaurant. Too much salt is not a good thing. Try to avoid restaurants that tend to put too much salt in their dishes. Can you taste the monosodium glutamate in the food? If so, it is likely to be a low tier restaurant. Any meat should be well cooked unless directed otherwise. Vegetables served should not be old; they should be young and tender, and if there is too much fat and oil content in the meal, it is likely to be considered a bad restaurant. In contrast, a good restaurant prepares meals that are cooked well, not dry, and the proportions are just enough to satisfy an individual’s hunger. Prices are another foretelling factor. A stellar restaurant charges prices that are well suited to the quality of the meal and the proportions. Of course, presentation of the meal plays a key factor. Perhaps, not as important as the taste of the meal itself, presentation is what makes the dish more appealing to the customer, and thus entices him or her to order the dish again on his or her next visit. More over, the menu of a good restaurant should be variable and should satisfy any type of craving. A good restaurant never misses out on adding vegetarian dishes to the menu for anyone unable to eat meat.

Service is also as equally important as the meal itself. People generally remember a restaurant for being good based on the attentiveness and friendliness of the waiters. Even if the quality of the meal is superb, if the servers are rude and/or forgetful, it is likely that one will not come back to that particular restaurant ever gain. If reservations are made, a good restaurant will document it down and no mistakes should be made. A really distasteful restaurant would skip the reservation and seat another group ahead of the group that made the reservation. It has happened before. Still, even if such a mistake is made, a good restaurant

Tips for being a good customer while dining out

You enter a restaurant over lunch hour. It is busy. You look around worried you may not get a seat, until you spot one at a corner. With a sigh of relief you begin a mad dash. In the process you almost knock over a waitress carrying a tray, overflowing with food and drink.

“Look where you are going,” you growl, as you elbow her aside.

A moment later she brings you the menu and before she can ask you what you would like, you interrupt her.

“Today’s special and a bottle of water,” you say without looking up; eyes fixed on the newspaper.

In a short while, she returns.

“Your order,” she says, serving the food and water. This time you are on the phone and you immediately note that the water is not your favorite brand.

“Don’t you have Highlands water?” you ask, putting the caller on hold. Without waiting for an answer, you hand back the water and immediately turn away and get back to your call,

“I do not understand why they can’t hire fffing waitresses with some brain matter between their ears. I mean…,” you begin to rant to the caller as the waitress walks away overhearing every word.

She returns back with the water and you immediately begin to whine that the portions of the meal are too tiny for the exorbitant’ price the restaurant is charging.

“Bring me the bill,” you say whilst digging for your wallet.When the bill arrives all hell breaks loose.

“What do you mean the VAT is not included in the initial cost? This service charge is a rip off for the bad service,” you moan.

“Well, it is clearly indicated in the menu,” the waitress informs you.

“I never even looked at the damn menu,” you say adding a couple of expletives.

You pay the bill and dash of to your more important job.

Professionals working in the service industry have loads of horror stories about customers behaving badly while dining out. Often servers are young people who are treated with little respect by customers perhaps due to the assumption that their job is not as important as those of other professionals in the job market.

However they too need your respect. A memorable and enjoyable meal out can only be a reality when the customer and the server work together. Follow these tips for a great experience dining out.

Dos while dining out

Do make way for the server carrying a tray of food to other customers.

Do say hello to your server, make eye contact, smile and refer to them by name.

Do take a moment to look at the menu and make a clear decision.

Do ask questions if unsure of your order.

Do give your full order. Avoid wasting your servers time by sending them back and forth.

Do leave your table as clean as you possibly can.

Do leave a tip

Don’ts while dining out

Do not curse or use expletives at your server if unhappy with the order. Be polite.

Do not use rude words with your dinner companions while referring to the server. They just might overhear.

Don’t whine about not getting what you did not order for. Ask, cut out the whining.

South Street Seaport Restaurant Assures Perfect Dinning Experience

Are you willing to eat out at a restaurant that not only offers best food, but its surroundings should also be mesmerizing? If it is so then South Street Seaport restaurant is the perfect place for you to be. This place is situated in the city of lights, New York. You can have a real good time in dinning in the restaurants situated at this place. Well, a dinning experience can be the most memorable one only when the restaurant, its ambience, its menu and service quality are excellent. If either of them is not up to the mark, then customers would shrink them off from visiting that restaurant again.

As restaurant is situated in South Street Seaport, there is a lot of variety in sea food and beef products that adorn the menus of these restaurants. A wide variety of sea food includes numerous types of fishes, tasty lobsters, crabs and much more. This is not just the end of the menu list. If you are a beef lover, then you have come to the right place. Many of these restaurants have beef delicacies that are simply mouth watering. Grilled buffalo meat, mozzarella di bufala and lots more are a part of the beef menu. Beef lovers can take this chance to dine at some of their favorite restaurants at South Street Seaport.

Every restaurant at South Street Seaport has a mesmerizing view that adds to the attractiveness of the place. Just imagine that a perfect combination of location, food, ambience of restaurant, drinks and service quality can leave an ever cherishing moment in your life. So why not visit that place for a change and why to stay in the home every time. After all, you got to have a change from the hectic schedule as you keep on working for the whole week. Dinning at restaurants of your choice not only gives you a tastier experience, you also get to spend some quality time with friends and family.

Each restaurant owner, be it at South Street Seaport or any other place, has to take care about each and every inch of his restaurant. There are various customers who are very fussy and particular about the place they visit. The restaurant owner has to cater to every slot, so he has to be quite a perfectionist in every thing. If the food of his is not tasty and does not raise the customer’s taste buds, then nobody will visit that restaurant. A restaurant owner has to be selective and have a creative bent of mind, so that his restaurant can have appealing touch to every aspect.

Restaurants at South Street Seaport are quite famous as party places and for enjoying quite dinners. If you are arranging for party and looking for a venue, then South Street Seaport restaurant is the most suitable place. After all, you are spending a lot of money and would like to have everything best. As far as this place is concerned, you don’t have to worry about anything. Your party would be a hit, if you select the right type of restaurant. So, just go about looking for a restaurant here and you can enjoy the fun.

Alternative Treatment for Eating Disorders

Generally, eating disorders involve self-critical, negative thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, and eating habits that disrupts normal body function, and daily life activities. A person with anorexia nervosa typically starves him or herself to be thin and experiences excessive weight loss, typically 15% below the weight that doctors consider ideal for his or her height and age. In some cases of anorexia, in addition to restricting their food intake kids use purging – by vomiting or taking laxatives – to control their weight.

Causes of Eating Disorders

What causes eating disorders is not entirely clear, though a combination of psychological, genetic, social and family factors are thought to contribute to the disorder.

Certain sports, such as ballet, gymnastics and wrestling are thought to potentially contribute to developing eating disorders because of the emphasis on leanness. There is also a role for genetics. Individuals who have a close relative with an eating disorder have an increased risk for also developing an eating disorder..

Sometimes, problems at home, such as drug or alcohol abuse, can put a child at higher risk to develop disordered eating behaviors.
And this concern can begin at an alarmingly young age. Research shows that 42% of first to third-grade girls wants to be thinner, and 81% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat.

Types of eating disorders

The most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
· Anorexia – People with anorexia starve themselves out of an intense fear of becoming fat. Despite being underweight or even emaciated, they never believe they’re thin enough. In addition to restricting calories, people with anorexia may also control their weight with exercise, diet pills, or purging.
· Bulimia – Bulimia involves a destructive cycle of bingeing and purging. Following an episode of out-of-control binge eating, people with bulimia take drastic steps to purge themselves of the extra calories. In order to avoid weight gain they vomit, exercise, fast, or take laxatives.
· Binges Eating Disorder – People with binge eating disorder compulsively overeat, rapidly consuming thousands of calories in a short period of time. Despite feelings of guilt and shame over these secret binges, they feel unable to control their behavior or stop eating even when uncomfortably full.

Alternative Treatment for Eating Disorders

There are many treatment options for eating disorders. The right approach for each individual depends on his or her specific symptoms, issues, and strengths, as well as the severity of the disorder. To be most effective, treatment for an eating disorder must address both the physical and psychological aspects of the problem. The goal is to treat any medical or nutritional needs, promote a healthy relationship with food, and teach constructive ways to cope with life and its challenges Psychotherapy – Individual and group therapy can help your loved one explore the issues underlying the eating disorder, improve self-esteem, and learn healthy ways of responding to stress and emotional pain. Family therapy is also effective for dealing with the impact the eating disorder has on the entire family unit.

· Nutritional counseling – Dieticians or nutritionists are often involved in the treatment of eating disorders. They can help your loved one design meal plans, set dietary goals, and achieve a healthy weight. Nutritional counseling may also involve education about basic nutrition and the health consequences of eating disorders.
· Support groups – Attending an eating disorder support group can help your loved one feel less alone and ashamed. Run by peers rather than professionals, support groups provide a safe environment to share experiences, advice, encouragement, and coping strategies.
· Residential treatment –- Residential or hospital-based care may be required when there are severe physical or behavioral problems, such as a resistance to treatment, medical issues that require a doctor’s supervision, or continuing weight loss.

Dining etiquette: Why you should be polite to your waitress

Enjoying a nice, relaxing and delicious dinner is a favorite pastime of many. A couple’s first date often involves a nice dinner at a restaurant. Celebrations, such as birthdays and anniversaries oftentimes take place at a nice restaurant. Allowing a day off for the cook, whether that be Mom, wife, or Dad, is another reason people choose to dine out. Regardless of the occasion, when we dine out, we expect that we will receive good service and a delicious meal. Many restaurant employees are involved in providing us this dining experience. However, the backbone of this dining experience is the person who waits on your table. This is why you should be polite to your waitress. After working as a “Server” (I prefer the title “waitress”), I realized that this occupation must be the most under-appreciated, underpaid job available. Though I try to approach every new guest with a positive attitude and a gleaming smile, it isn’t difficult to determine those certain guests that you know are going to be trouble from the start. You can see it in their eyes. The way they hold their posture. The way they look at you, as if you are merely someone they can bark orders at and run ragged without any gesture of appreciation. It didn’t take long to understand why the title “server” replaced waiters and waitresses. That is what we do. We serve the hungry public. I learned that when people are hungry, they aren’t exactly the most friendly and courteous. This shouldn’t give them a free ticket to treat servers badly though. It seems that servers get the blame for most anything and everything that might happen in the restaurant. It doesn’t matter if they are upset because they had a forty-minute wait, when promised it would only be twenty. The guest may be upset because they were sat at a table next to a crying baby. Or, if the guests idea of a steak cooked “medium” is a little less pink than the restaurant’s idea of “medium.” Whatever the reason, the server is the one who suffers the consequences. And by consequences, I mean “gratuity.” First of all, the server is not a host or hostess. We didn’t have control over how long our guest waited, nor where their table was situated in the restaurant. And, we are not to blame for the steak not being properly cooked, considering we ordered it as the guest requested. My job as a server is to provide my guests with a comfortable, relaxed, and delicious dining experience. I believe I do an excellent job as a server. Unfortunately, at the end of the evening, my tips don’t always add up to what they should. A tip, or gratuity, can be defined as a gift of money given to someone for performing a service or menial task, over and above the payment due for the service. Tips are not required, but they are expected by many people in the service industry. I have to wonder if the public realizes that servers rely on tips as their income; that we only make around $3.00 an hour. When a guest leaves me a $2.00 tip on a fifty dollar check, especially when I have been waiting on them for over an hour, refilling drinks several times, fetching all of the “extras” they have to have immediately, clearing plates, bringing more bread, and fulfilling all of the many other requests they have, I become pretty disappointed. I don’t know how many people can survive on $5.00 an hour, but I know I can’t. I have no intentions of continuing as a server for a long period of time, but for the sake of those who have chosen to make this a career, please be polite and tip your servers.

Dining out and understanding your restaurant billing in Italy

One of the most appreciated aspects of Italian culture is Italian cuisine, which is, without exaggeration, succulently scrumptious. Dining out in Italy is truly the gastronomist’s and epicurean’s opportunity to gorge and indulge in the haute couture of fine cuisine and delicate tastes.

But Italian cuisine is not just a pastiche of pasta and pizza; it is a creative collection of regional dishes that are characterized by various European and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. The secret to the freshness of Italian food is the culinary tradition’s emphasis on fresh, locally grown, seasonal produce.

The unification of Italy diffused many popular dishes throughout Italy and abroad, however, regions remain fiercely loyal to their locally produced specialties. To truly taste Italian culture, you must venture off the beaten path and sample regional, local cooking, which is, in essence, authentic Italian cooking.

As someone of Italian heritage, here is some practical information about dining establishments in Italy, and some tips to help you pay your bill after you have polished off your pizza.

WHEN IN ITALY, EAT AS THE ITALIANS DO

A traditional and formal Italian meal can continue for hours and consists of an antipasto (appetizer), sometimes served with an aperitivo (aperitif drink), followed by a primo piatto, generally a pasta, risotto or soup course, followed by a secondo piatto, a heartier meat or fish course. The second course is generally served with a contorno (side dish) and/or a salad, which is eaten with the main course, or directly afterwards. The dolce (dessert) and fruit selection with cheeses follow the salad. The caffe (coffee), and digestivo (digestive drink) conclude the meal.

However, do not feel pressured to follow the traditional multi-course meal, which is becoming rarer nowadays. Although the food choices on the menu are presented in this order, simply order whatever you feel comfortable eating.

WHERE TO WINE AND DINE

Depending on the dining experience you crave (and how hungry you are!), there are many different dining establishments in Italy.

Ristoranti

Restaurants are found all over Italy, and vary in ambiance. They may be upscale and elegant or low-key and causal. Most offer popular selections and regional specialties, and tend to be slightly more expensive than family run establishments. Many offer a menu turistico(tourist menu), that combines a complete meal into one fixed price.

Which is more important when it comes to health food: Taste or nutrition?

Once a certain food is labeled as “healthy”, nutrition is the most important thing to consider. It is true that most people won’t want to eat anything (nutritious or not) if it tastes bad, but there are many “health foods” available that are more focused on taste than nutritional content. Any food that is overly processed isn’t really a health food, and you want to be sure to look at things such as fat, calories, salt and sugar content. These things are often slipped into foods without notice, and the consumer thinks they are being healthy…little do they know, they are filling their bodies with junk. Even foods such as canned vegetables and soup can be loaded with more than a healthy amount of sodium, despite the fact that they are “healthy” and taste good. Salads are the poster-child of health food, yet if they aren’t made carefully they can have as much fat and calories as a fast-food meal; nearly enough for an entire day!

Many fast-food restaurants advertise their food as being healthy, yet consumers should use common sense before buying into this story. Obviously a salad or grilled chicken sandwich at a fast-food joint would be more healthy than their other options, yet much less healthy than food you would eat at a better restaurant or at home. If you are in a pinch go ahead and order the best fast-food option available. Also, these options are ok as an occasional treat, if you really enjoy them. You just need to be careful about how often you eat these foods. On a daily basis, it is much better to think ahead, and be prepared by taking packed lunches with you to school or work.

The best way to be sure you are eating nutritional food is to cook your own food, at home. By using lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins, you can cook nutritionally balanced meals. By learning to healthfully flavor your food, you can eat things that taste incredible while controlling fat and sodium. Many people have trouble learning to cook a variety of foods that are both healthy and balanced, while not eating the same foods all of the time. With all of the cooking shows on TV, and the websites and cookbooks available, any person can develop a passion for nutritious food that is far better than the “health foods” available to buy. Some great sources for food education and inspiration that you can use at your own pace are Rachel Ray (TV, magazine and cookbooks), Barefoot Contessa and Giada deLaurentiis on Food Network. allrecipes.com and vegetariantimes.com (and their magazine)are great readable sources. Health and exercise magazines include recipes, as well as most other magazines. Keep your eyes open for new and exciting ways to combine ingredients, and you will be eating the true health food!

Eating disorders explained

Eating Disorders Are a Serious Issue

Eating disorders can affect both males and females, with a higher instance occurring in females. An eating disorder is a potentially deadly syndrome, or illness, that has a biological base. The predisposition of developing an eating disorder is heavily influenced by emotional, societal, and cultural factors. Many eating disorder patients suffer without any help or treatment simply because of the stigmas attached to eating disorders, but with proper treatment, recovery is attainable.

Types of Eating Disorders

There are three main types of eating disorders, and it is possible that symptoms of all three occur in one person. The three types are known as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, which are also known as compulsive overeating. Patients suffering from any of these disorders experience extreme emotions, attitude changes, and strange behaviors, especially related to food and weight issues. People suffering from any eating disorder tend to have a negative body image.

Anorexia Nervosa

Men and women suffering from anorexia nervosa engage in self-starvation and extreme weight loss. Patients typically refuse to maintain a normal body weight and have an intense fear of becoming fat or gaining any weight. Additionally, anorexia patients feel fat despite their actual weight. Females often stop having menstrual periods due to the extreme weight loss.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is defined by binge eating and purging, which is usually done in a secretive cycle. Binge eating is characterized by eating a large amount of food in a very short period of time, normally more than what most people would eat in one meal, or even a day. Purging to get rid of the food and corresponding calories through over-exercising, excessive laxative use, or even self-induced vomiting immediately follows the binging. Most patients experience repeated episodes of binging and purging and feel out of control during these episodes.

Compulsive Overeating

Compulsive overeating, or binge eating disorder, is similar to bulimia but has no episodes of purging. Patients suffering from compulsive overeating will eat continuously and impulsively even after they feel completely full. In place of purging, there can be sporadic fasting periods, repetitive dieting, and most often feelings of shame and self-hate. Most patients susceptible to binge eating disorder also suffer from anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

The Causes of Eating Disorders

While the underlying causes of any eating disorder has yet to be determined, it has been found that a combination of factors will contribute to the onset of the disorder. Many patients begin with frequent thoughts about or obsess over food and weight. However, behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors also affect the onset and severity of eating disorders. Often, eating disorder sufferers use food and the control of food to compensate for emotions or feelings that overwhelm them otherwise.

Treatment

Because eating disorders can cause serious health problems and even death, it is important to get effective treatment and quickly. The earlier an eating disorder is detected and treated, the better chances a patient has of recovering. Usually, psychotherapy and counseling are the most effective treatments for any eating disorder. Accompanied with medical and nutritional monitoring, therapy is the most effective way to treat an eating disorder.

How food enhances our lives

Imagine for a moment that you are hundreds or perhaps thousands of years in the future. The Universe has run out of fertile soil to grow crops. Animals, other than humans, are only in history books. But man, in his brilliance, has found a way to keep himself alive by synthesizing proteins, minerals, vitamins, and fiber into one small nutrition biscuit that takes exactly 30 seconds to chew and swallow. The biscuit provides enough calories to keep a person alive for 24 hours so only one is needed. The wasted hours of mealtime and food preparation are no longer needed. Man can work continuously on other projects to “enhance” his life.

Sound like a nightmare? From our earliest moments when we recognize the smell of our mother’s milk, food is not only a physical necessity for life but a sensual one too. Food gives enjoyment; food sustains life; food or lack of it runs the world. Just as plentiful food enhances life, lack of food destroys life. Ask anyone who has been through a famine or hard time and they will tell you that abundance of food is a thing of joy. They will also tell you that it was an experience they’ll never forget and they are grateful for every meal.

Watch any courting couple and if they’re truly in love, sometime while eating together, one will feed the other. Perhaps it is a chocolate-dipped strawberry or just a spoonful of soup, but the act of feeding another is a gesture of love. We show our love and concern with food by cutting a child’s sandwich into triangles, by taking a hot casserole to an ailing neighbor, by celebrating a holiday with special foods. From the simple Communion wafer to the banquet spread, food is much more than itself. It’s a recognition that food comes from a higher power than our own hands. Whether it is God or Mother Nature that you thank before a meal, aloud or in silence, the acknowledgement is there that we are just the intermediaries. By preparing and giving food to others we are adding a greater than human element to our interactions.

For many of us, food enhances our lives not just by feeding us by supporting us financially. The farmer, the grocer, the chef, and the cooking show celebrity or writer all can thank food for their livelihood. Artists and photographers add food items to their still lifes, demonstrating once again that any work of art is enhanced by the presence of food. Entire industries are supported by preparing and marketing new foods. Dietitians, fitness trainers, and weight loss specialists enhance our lives by teaching us how to have a healthy relationship with food.

The beauty of growing and harvesting foods gives us a sense of belonging to the earth. From planting peas in spring soil to picking berries with friends, food deepens our understanding of life’s cycles and our connection with the Earth. There is something so deeply satisfying about bringing food from the garden to the table or better yet to the doorstep of a friend or neighbor. A gift of food speaks of caring rather than obligation. For the millions of us who “like to feed people,” we all understand the deep satisfaction that comes from sharing the vital substance of food.

Our lives are tremendously enhanced by food. Food gives us an opportunity to bond in the garden, in the kitchen, and at the table. It gives us a chance to be creative and to have fun. It gives us joy in celebration and comfort in sorrow.

Now, just how are they going to do that with nutrition wafers in the future? Don’t ask me to time travel. I’m staying right here

The importance of food safety

The importance of food safety can not be underestimated. The safety of food is vital to your health and safety. The consequences of unsafe food can make you extremely ill or worse in the most severe causes can lead to death. The list of things that can be done to ensure food is kept safe is a mile long but without understanding the value of food safety you won’t see any reason to practice them.

Food safety is important to the health and well being of the family. It is also vital to the overall health of the nation when the problem begins before food is ever released in the market. You go to the store and get what you need only to have it make you sick or you go out to eat and spend the next day revisiting the food you had the night before to put it nicely. These are just a couple of things that occur when the correct precautions are not taken to ensure that the food we eat is grown, stored or prepared properly.

Restaurants aren’t the only places that have to know the importance of food safety. While the health department will make periodic inspections of the retail food world they will not come into your kitchen and tell you what’s wrong.

Waste results from improper food safety. Yes, waste because food that isn’t stored properly will spoil and you don’t want to feed rotten food to your family at any point and time during the course of your meals. When you don’t store food correctly bacteria can set up in it causing sickness to develop.

Cooking food properly is a part of food safety as well. When the importance of cooking food properly is not known disasters can result. There are some foods that have to be fully cooked before they can be eaten and when they aren’t cooked correctly they can cause you to become rather ill.

Cleaning food correctly is an important part of food safety. Whether you realize it or not there are sometimes chemicals used in the fields that your food is produced in. When these chemicals are not washed off due to an improper cleaning they can cause a poisoning effect on the body. The purpose of these chemicals is to kill insects that would eat the crop and the last thing that you want to do is to ingest a pesticide.

The importance of food safety is that it is the one thing that can make multiple people sick when not done correctly. Those that you love have to be kept safe and when you are responsible for preparing the food you feel responsible for things that happen when those eating it get sick.

There are cases of improper food safety that lead to death after an extended illness. While the cases are not frequent as they could be they do still exist. The importance of food safety can not be underestimated if you want to ensure the safety of your family.