Eating out: Food vs Ambience

[radhead]

When you eat out, do you prefer the food experience or the overall ambience/setting?

Sometimes I think there are two types of people in this world. For example, my dad is more into the food aspect of eating out. Nothing else impresses him other than food and service. (Service could apply to the other side as well.)

When I was a kid I'll admit that the food part was more important. But nowadays, I think that I care more about the atmosphere of the restaurant, the comfort and location of the seating, the interior designs, etc.

What about you?

 

[mina]

I don't eat out that much; but both appeal to me. I like atmosphere and good food holding hands and kissing in front of me.

 

[LoneSheep]

I like the food aspect. I don't care if I'm sitting on a pile of old newspapers in an abandoned gas station, as long as the food is awesome I'll go back

 

[radhead]

Some people might prefer the ambience of a converted old-time gasoline station. For example, a "hole in the wall" could have a very interesting interior, or just be very plain.

 

[Trashionista]

Dives for the atmosphere. Usually non-dives for the food.

 

[Obzocky]

For me it is all about the food, but that's because i'm iffy with eating out owing to the lack of control over how the food is made. who cares if the room is a paisley-lovers dream with wonky tables so long as the food is a dancing delight for the tastebuds.

 

[Miss Spaulding]

I don't eat out very often, but when I do, I certainly enjoy my food and all, however, I really look more towards the whole setting, music and atmosphere. The feeling of it all is what gets to me...*pictures herself in a joint similar to that of Rick's place in Casablanca*... :o

 

[h3sean]

Definitely food for me. Ambience is important, but the food is priority

 

[Allen1901]

I like both

 

[BarelyBreathing]

I like both

Ditto.

Of course, I'm sure we all have different ideas about what type of atmosphere we like.

I don't eat out very often, but another thing that is a biggie for me is cost. If I go someplace and they have food that is to die for, a nice atmosphere, but the cost is extravagant, then I will not go back. Some people might be willing to shell out the extra for that, but I'm not. I hate being wasteful with money.

 

[PassionFruit]

I would say I like both. Also I'm someone who's big on eating out. Though I don't it that often as I would like.

 

[Oddish]

The ambience is more important to me. I like to feel relaxed .

 

[ceh85]

If I liked the atmosphere but the food wasn't good, I wouldn't go back.

 

[Riddik7]

food seems almost a mute point here... i want good food no matter what... thats a natural thing....

but i love good ambience... places like rainforest cafe... and the pirates of the caribean resteraunt at disneyland are amongst my favorites, because they have such amazing ambience!

 

[deliciousBass]

I usually go for FOOD.

However, there are some places where the ambience is nice and the FOOD is good as well and I'm willing to pay a premium for that maybe once a month.

 

[LoneSheep]

Late thought: Sometimes it's not what you get to eat or what the atmosphere is like. The important or memorable experience is who you are eating with.

I remember eating at a restaurant with a woman and I have no idea how long we were there. It must have been like 30 min for eating food, but we started talking and must have just sat there talking for another hour. It was awesome!

 

[Tamara224]

Food is usually more important to me. In my experience, ambiance and food tend to go hand in hand, though. When the restaurant is a franchise and the food is so-so, the ambiance is not great because they rush you through your meal, you're sitting way too close to the people at the next table, it's loud, it's frenetic, etc. Whereas, a local place that serves really good food is going to be quieter, more relaxed, not rushed, you can take your time and enjoy the meal, have good conversation, etc.

Restaurants usually have an overall business management attitude: some places stress quantity and have lower prices, lower food quality and faster table turn-over. Some places stress quality and have higher prices, higher quality and slower table turn-over. I prefer the latter.

For the rare establishment that serves awesome food with not-so-great ambiance.... I generally order my food to go.

 

[trentlogain2]

who cares. take your favorite food condiment, table picture, and radio with you. no worries.

 

[trentlogain2]

Condiments will hardly compensate for bad food.

i beg to differ. you've obviously never had kim's homemade mustard. this stuff will make a turd taste good.

 

[trentlogain2]

uh oh. did i just say that? call the cops.