Discover Restaurants With Cachet
When traveling to new places, enjoying exquisite culinary experiences is often a priority. Big cities obviously offer a variety of options for all budgets and dining preferences, but when visiting a small town, finding restaurants that offer a tantalizing dining experience requires a strategic approach.
Look for the history, but don’t forget the local love
Historic sites, usually in the city center, guarantee a great atmosphere, but don’t be afraid to expand your research if the clientele seems to be strictly tourist. Walk around town, ask questions, read reviews, and see where the locals go. You can often be surprised when a restaurant’s outward appearance, or even its name, belies an excellent culinary choice.
Be open to suggestions and do some research, especially if your visit will last a few days. There may be some restaurants to try. When considering a restaurant located in a hotel, also find out what the locals think about the hotel. If they support the hotel, it is usually a positive sign of the quality of food and service.
The signs of an elegant dining experience
Do you offer business happy hours as well as lunch and dinner, or are they only open at certain times? Check out the website for directions to a great experience. Obviously, the photos would give a good idea of the decoration, the setting, the lighting and the atmosphere in general. Look out for crisp white tablecloths, stainless steel utensils, linens, and crystal glasses. That would also lead to self attraction. Some websites will specify a dress code; please pay attention to this and if you are concerned ask if it applies when booking.
The website may also display the wine list. The wine selection is a good indicator of an excellent dining experience. The wine list should match the types of cuisine on offer, spell out the winemaker’s full name, and offer a wide selection, by the bottle and glass, that will satisfy all types of wine lovers.
Do not neglect what the menu can tell you
If the menu is available online, matching tastes and expectations will be a little easier. The various appetizers, entrees, specials, and side dishes on offer are certainly important when rating restaurants; those that offer a fusion of various cooking styles set the bar! There are dozens of cooking techniques, from amandine and searing to braising and sautéing. Read the menu carefully and ask questions. When no online resources are available, check with your hotel concierge for recommendations. Ask about the staff’s tableside manners, menu options and wine list.
Don’t forget to leave comments
Good restaurants want to know how they can improve, so they are curious to know what their customers like best about them and if they would recommend their business. Look for comment cards and fill them out, even if the experience was exactly as expected, better, or even poor.
One of the best things about traveling without a strict budget is the pleasure of the culinary experience. Enjoy each region and city and share the best with others!
