I totally understand, John!
It’s why my initial idea was the hope that restaurants offering amuse bouche would elevate the entire dining experience, making it fun so customers would return to the dining room.
Haha. Where are you from John? I’m from California, US. Most of our restaurants are open for dine-in, but at a very limited capacity.
Northwest England, Andrew. Nearish to Manchester. I’m one of the few “not North American” folk on here.
Tomorrow our bars, pubs and restaurants can reopen for outdoor service only, which means there won’t be that many). The plan is for normal indoor service to resume from 17 May in England. Not sure what the situation is in the other three nations of the UK. Of course, this is all depending on infection rates continuing to decline but, just this morning, a number of scientists are warning that the relaxation of social mixing in areas that have still relatively high case numbers could prompt another wave. We keep our fingers crossed (not least as I’m getting my second vaccine jab on Friday).
That remains to be seen, doesn’t it? I think it’s clear that some people (my wife and I included) don’t plan to return to eating out, vaccine or not. Others are bridling to eat out. In the end I think the question is not if there will be a long-term impact on the restaurant industry but how big that impact may be.
well, as someone mentioned, a solution in search of a problem.
amuse bouche (likely) ‘change’ somewhere between daily and hourly.
it’s touted to be an exquisite tasty morsel of the chef’s ala minute creation.
in my experience methinks it is a way where by the chef can often “uses up” scraps / excess ‘expensive’ ingredients in a customer pleasing manner…
not at all convinced it could be ‘experimenting’ with a proposed menu dish - there’s never enough there to sample a second bite/taste… and since the patron didn’t order the specifics, there’s a distinct lack of feedback: “Yes Madam, did you enjoy the haggis?” is nothing I’ve encountered at the amuse bouche timeframe.
the absent/presence of such does not affect our decision to dine or not dine at any specific establishment.
Wow, I would love to visit there one day! =)
Oh geez…same thing here:
“It’s spring break!!! Vacation, party, let’s gooooo.” (Infection rate surges)
Let’s hope the new variants wouldn’t spark a new wave of the pandemic!
All the best, John.
And stay safe! =)
Right on, Dave!
It’s much better to be safe than sorry! =)
You’re completely correct about amuse bouche, Tom!
They are sometimes “scraps” made into culinary art.
Good point about there never having enough to get a second taste.
I guess, instead of “amuse bouche” (which is too small to be bothered) I am thinking more of a small sampler.
For example, a small piece of chocolate cake. And if the customer really enjoyed it, it could probably make him to crave for more. And it just happens to also be on the menu! And tada~, you just sold a slide of chocolate cake that he might otherwise never considered to order! =)
Would that influence your decision now, Tom? Haha.
What you’re describing sounds more like a tasting menu than amuse bouche (at least to me).
Similarly, I’d like to visit the west coast sometime. During our periodic holidays in America since 1980, we’ve visited every state on the east coast (and some adjacent ones). I was thinking of the trip a year or so back - I even bought a guide book to driving the Pacific Highway - but we never got round to making it happen.
@Harters - I’m certainly hoping you can make that happen! I think you’d find a lot of good food, scenery and music to make it a wonderful trip. So many fun places and must-see spots! You could get lots of advice from here too. And you’ve got a standing invitation at our casa for dinner, should you make the trek. I would love that! Heck, we could even turn it into a bed & breakfast, and offer you a full English breakfast - a rasher of bacon, some sausages & etc. and COFFEE for brekkie, but tea for the Mrs., if she prefers. Oh, and I can get some HP sauce to add to the growing collection of condiments lol. H makes a great scone…
Yes, Evelyn! That’s what I have in mind as well!
(Since many agreed amuse bouche is too tiny to be bothered.)
So like these free samples can be used to promote one’s menu and upselling with desserts/appetizers/drinks.
For example: A shot of cold Budweiser.
And the ensuing reaction from the customer would be:
“Oh boi, I gotta have me some of dat beer!”
And proceeds to order a whole 12 oz of Budweiser.
So do you think this idea would work?
Haha. Life is too short for us to not travel, John! xD
Wow, I would bet you’ve visited more states than I have!
I’ve only been to:
Oh my gosh…what’s your address? I’m booking a ticket to your place right now! xD
Lol, you might want to come during baklava season! I live in the Puget Sound area - come on up @Tigero123!
Hehe, I will take you up on that dear friend when this pandemic is over! =)
(Wooo~ Baklava sounds delicious!)
That’s a date.
Absolutely. As a present to myself last year, for my 70th birthday, we’d planned a trip to Western Canada with Alaska cruise. We had just paid the balance on the whole trip and then, a few days later, the world collapsed. We may still do a shorter/cheaper version at some point. The other big American trip we’d considered was driving Route 66. But I think we’ve concluded there’s possibly not enough to interest us to make that trip worthwhile.
This travel conversation makes me think about how much I miss travel. I haven’t been outwith Edinburgh in over a year now. It also makes me think of a lovely gift I received from a friend in Portland, OR: She put together a box of local treats based on flavours/textures/items I enjoy (so many hazelnuts…)
Are there business that offer a global care package which give you your choice of region along with a section in which you note things you enjoy (and flavours you do not) in order to have someone ‘curate’ a care package? With names of places (shops, bakeries, etc) this could lead to visits once travel is possible.
I mean, I know certain shops offer these options, and there are those who specialise in their own brand, but are there care package companies for when we can’t travel? And when we don’t want to do this complicated overseas shopping or indulge Amazon in their mishegoss?
Not exactly what you’re after, Hunterwali, but Google will obviously throw up specialist food suppliers in the UK. During lockdown, we’ve enjoyed Lebanese, Iranian, French, Spanish and Italian products.
Yep. I’m familiar. But not what I’m after in the description after having something put together on my behalf. 
