36 replies to this topic

[LaurieA-B]

Tabla is one of the loveliest spaces I've dined in; both the Bread Bar and upstairs are pleasant, but the upstairs is more dramatic.  (And their bathroom is my favorite in any restaurant; that's a whole different thread.)

I agree with John Whiting on the perfection of the Tavern's front room.  The flowers are incredible, especially the enormous garden table next to the bathrooms.  I was thinking about rooms with no windows, and was about to type that the only such spaces are hole-in-the-wall-type restaurants.  But does the main room at the Tavern have windows?  I much prefer a bit of natural light.  I enjoyed afternoon tea at Alice's Tea Cup recently, but the room is rather claustrophobic (all the tables are in the back of a basement space).

It's true, of course, that a beautiful room can do little to redeem poor food.  Spring Street Natural Restaurant has an excellent room, windows on two sides, natural light, greenery, but the restaurant has nothing else to recommend it.

I've eaten once at Home on Cornelia, and thought the dining room seemed extremely narrow and cramped.  We had delicious brunch outdoors in the garden, under a heat lamp, and enjoyed that very much.

One favorite of mine is very tiny and cramped; you're elbow to elbow with the other diners, who are sometimes pressed into service passing your food.  But that's part of Pepe Rosso's appeal.  The more spacious Pepe Giallo isn't as charming.

[oraklet]

i don't often eat out, and then mostly when in france. there they seem to concentrate on the food, more than on making you feel at home (which you aren't, anyway) by use of all kinds of effects: dim light, too little space, music (hate it) etc. actually one of the three best meals i've had was in a village at the coast of normandy. the host did seem a bit surprised that anyone had noticed his place, and showed us into a room that was brightly lit up by one powerful lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. all thirteen of us sat around one long table, the only one in the room. no music, of course. it took them one hour to prepare our meal(s), mostly seafood, but then it was very good (though of course not artistic), and it was served in a quiet and straightforward manner. it was nice to be able to see one's food as well as see and hear one's companions. that is often not the case in danish restaurants, and neither is it with my in-laws...

but of course, being thirteen around the table brought trouble later in the night when we tried to share the bill.

oh, there was this place in lyon. thought i had entered a whorehouse - but food was fine, really.

[Ruby]

i don't often eat out, and then mostly when in france. there they seem to concentrate on the food, more than on making you feel at home (which you aren't, anyway) by use of all kinds of effects: dim light, too little space, music (hate it) etc. actually one of the three best meals i've had was in a village at the coast of normandy. the host did seem a bit surprised that anyone had noticed his place, and showed us into a room that was brightly lit up by one powerful lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. all thirteen of us sat around one long table, the only one in the room. no music, of course. it took them one hour to prepare our meal(s), mostly seafood, but then it was very good (though of course not artistic), and it was served in a quiet and straightforward manner. it was nice to be able to see one's food as well as see and hear one's companions. that is often not the case in danish restaurants, and neither is it with my in-laws...

Sounds like three of the things that bother you in restaurants are the same ones that annoy me: dim light, lack of space and intrusive background music. Sometimes I don't know what restaurants are thinking.

I like round tables for large parties as it feels more intimate to me and it's easier to hear what everybody is talking about.

What have your favorite dining experiences been in the U.S.?

[oraklet]

i'm really so boring: never been outside europe

[Ruby]

i'm really so boring: never been outside europe

That doesn't make you boring!  

Oraklet, if you and your spouse ever decide to visit New York City, send me a private message and I will buy both of you you a Dr. Brown's cream soda and a nice deli sandwich from Katz's!  

[oraklet]

thanks, ruby, and vice versa

(and now i will have to find out what copenhagen has to offer in the same vein. nice place, but really on the outskirts of europe)

[stellabella]

Considering the pains to which I've gone to create my own beautiful, warm, inviting kitchen, of course I always want the same in any restaurant.  But of course "attractive dining space" is so subjective.  

I love the "dining room" in my fav Irish B&B,  Netterville Manor north of Dublin, near Slane--an old Victorian Manor Home with tall ceilings, exposed dark beams & white-washed rough plaster walls.  A pot-belly stove in one corner.  Mismatched ironstone plates & platters on the hearth.  A long rough-hewn dining table with benches for all the guests [which included only the four in our party].  Our breakfast was probably very basic--eggs & toast--but memorable because of where it was eaten.