Fine Dining Restaurants: The Importance of a Proper Table Setting

Imagine yourself going out to a fine dining restaurant. When you reach the location of the restaurant, what are some of the things you notice about the restaurant? What are some of the things you might be observing that in the long run builds your decision to return to the restaurant or to never come again?

I'm positive that these are some things that you are thinking of. You take a good hard look at the inside and the outside of the restaurant; you are observing the theme, style and perhaps the service. After you have gotten a feel for the place and have decided if you feel comfortable or not; you start observing things on a more personal level. You have made an opinion on the service, based on the host/hostess, your server, and perhaps even from the busser. Then comes the food, which you base your final decision off of, lets face it, the service can be great but if the food quality is the deal breaker.

Now, let me tell you something you probably weren't paying attention too. Did you take a close look at the table setting? You're probably thinking, 'of course I paid attention, its not very hard, I'm going to notice if I don't have silverware, or if I'm missing a water glass....' Blah, Blah, Blah. You could go on forever with that list, and of course everyone is going to notice simple details like that. But did you notice the things that are a little harder to spot? If you are used to going to fine dining restaurants, I wouldn't be surprised if you did notice, but if you are new to the fine dining experience you probably did not.

Wondering what I'm talking about, or have you guessed it...if not think a little harder about what else I could be talking about that has to do with the detail of a table setting......got it yet......I'll give you a few more seconds.....oh, what was that....Did the table have the proper setting?....Exactly what I was looking for!

Now, rewind a little bit and think of when you first sat down at your table. How was the silverware placed? Was the table settings all match up or where they different? Was the correct silverware and glasses on the table? ... You get the point. You might not think this is such an important thing, but it is.

Most people who go to a fine dining restaurant not only expect a proper table setting, they almost demand it. This is one of the ways the restaurant makes its profit. The guests of the restaurant are paying good money to be shown how organized the restaurant is and how much the restaurant and its employees care about their guest by invaluable service and from a beautiful table setting presentation, which is in uniform with all the other tables in the restaurant.

A simple thing such as the forks being on the wrong side can show a guest that the employee's may not be very organized. If they can't get a small thing like the placing of the silverware right, think of some of the not so small things that they are not doing correctly. A small thing such as the table setting is actually a much larger thing in which can give a guest an overall view of the restaurant, its employee's, and their final decision to return to the restaurant or not.