Foodies. They’re everywhere. Sometimes we love them, but sometimes they’re darn obnoxious. They shop around, eating at this restaurant and that, comparing notes, looking for the finest and ultimate experience.
There’s a different way to enjoy restaurants, and you don’t have to be a food snob to do it. Personalize your restaurant experience and you’ll find that eating out will become more than just a sensory experience in delightful food, but a communal and social experience as well, one that will make you feel more a part of your environment. Sounds great, doesn’t it?
Do you have a neighborhood bistro? Maybe where you live there aren’t a lot of choices and you have to go further afield. Although local is better, the core of the experience can be achieved by driving a bit out of your way.
Start out like a foodie—visit a variety of restaurants and try a variety of foods. Once you’ve found a place you like, though, become a regular. A “”regular”" sounds so old-fashioned, but it will never really go out of style. Once you’re a repeat customer, start getting to know the staff—from the head chef to the busboy. When people know you and connect to you, they’ll treat you differently!
Start by asking a question that everyone in food service enjoys: What do they recommend? Those recommendations will get better and more honest as the staff gets to know you. If something is exceptionally good, compliment the chef in person or via your waiter or waitress. Communicate your preferences.
It won’t take long for people to be happy to see you when you arrive, to call you by name, and to do things the way you like (bringing you ice water or extra bread or remembering your allergies). This kind of human connection is worth a hundred gourmet meals!