How Do You Choose A Fine Dining Restaurant?

You are on the search for a fine dining restaurant that serves great selections of beef, seafood and fowl. While you prefer a prime steakhouse, your guest or date may prefer a seafood dish or maybe something more exotic like quail. Your mouth is watering for a big, bone-in rib eye so being the one in charge of deciding where to go, your decision to select a place that will accommodate everyone’s palates is crucial.

A good place to begin if you do not know your way around your local culinary scene, is to check the Internet for the local Diner’s Choice Awards for the past few years. You will probably receive some delicious inspiration and perhaps you might end up at the prime steakhouse you so crave.

First, make a check list of all your needs and expectations. Because this is really a special occasion, can you make a reservation? If the surprise is on the spur of the moment, can you still get seated without a reservation? Although you want a fine dining restaurant, you do not particularly want to wear a suit and tie. Does the prime steakhouse you want have a dress code? Can you wear slacks and sport shirt and fit in with the other guests?

Although during the week you are strictly a beer person, since this is a special occasion, you want to ensure that the restaurant has a fine wine list – and someone who can recommend the best wine to go with your meal. You have already chosen your cut of beef, but what if she decides to order fish or fowl? Surely you’ll want to impress, but how will you know whether to select a red or white wine? Since an experienced sommelier or wine expert will be making the suggestion, you will not have to feel embarrassed at all. A good choice that meets all your expectations in a fine dining restaurant will be able to answer all of these questions for sure.

Perhaps this is not going to be an intimate dinner but an occasion for a group of friends, relatives or co-workers. Do you need a private room for 6, 12 or 30 individuals? Even though it is a group, will they feel it is still a fine dining restaurant? Will the group receive the same impeccable service that diners in the common dining room are receiving?