LePetitLaurent.com

Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category

When people think of the most expensive restaurant in the world, they most likely think of a grandiose building with many elegant decorations, live music, and delicious options for the meal.

What you would not expect, however, is for there to be no menu, no requests on cuts or doneness of meat, and no dessert.

However, as noted in Forbes Magazine, the most expensive restaurant in the world, Aragawa, does not have the usual characteristics of a fine dining restaurant.

Environment

The original location of this restaurant, which was the first steakhouse in Japan, was in the basement of an office building. There was no music, valet parking, or even windows.

However, since the original restaurant opened, it has since moved to Onarimon. The restaurant has moved to street level and now has distinguishable decorations, but still has no music or valet parking.

There are only six tables in the restaurant, making reservations extremely hard to come by. Despite the $300-$500 tab per meal, per person, the restaurant is usually full.

Menu

There is no paper or written menu at Aragawa. The waiters will verbally tell you your options. However, there certainly are not many.

You have the option of an appetizer or salad. You will then be served lightly toasted white bread with butter.

The restaurant only serves Kobe beef for the main dish. The options you do have include the grade (premium and super premium) or weight (12, 16, or 20 ounces). They do not ask you what cut of beef you want or how you would like it cooked.

The steak is seasoned with pepper, grilled, then served with only a side of mustard. The restaurant is known for having the juiciest, fattiest, and most tender Kobe beef. Despite the large price tag, many people find this to be worth it. Others argue that they will never return because it is far too expensive.

No dessert is served at Aragawa.

Kobe Beef

True Kobe beef can only be found in Japan. Kobe beef cows are raised in a very specific way. The average Kobe beef cow in Japan is treated better than most people. These cattle are massaged by hand daily, fed a bottle of beer, listen to classical music, go for regular walks, and are brushed. The idea behind this is that happy cows make tastier beef.

Aragawa has a relationship with a specific farm that they get all of their beef from, so customers know they truly are getting the best.

Kobe beef can be sold for up to $800 per pound, so many believe that the profit margin for the restaurant is very small.

Conclusion

If people are planning on dining at Arawga, they must make reservations well in advance and be willing to pay a pretty penny for their meal. Although this restaurant is popular among many people, others think it is ridiculous.
It is worth researching fine dining restaurants before you decide to attend so you know what you are getting yourself into.

Some of you may frequent fine dining restaurants and know what to expect and wear. However, there are many people who have never experienced fine dining and wonder what they should anticipate when attending. This article is meant for people who are new to the fine dining experience.

In general, fine dining restaurants are small businesses. Most fine dining restaurants are not chain restaurants; they may only have one or two locations.

Fine Dining Menu

Menus at fine dining restaurants will almost always be very different from menus at traditional or casual restaurants. Because fine dining restaurants are usually attended on special occasions, most restaurant owners strive not to disappoint in selection or quality.

Fine dining restaurants will not feature a huge menu. They will most likely offer items that customers would not normally see at a restaurant. In fact, many fine dining restaurants offer prix fixe menus. This means the restaurant offers limited menus that change on a daily or weekly basis. The advantages to these types of menus are that owners can buy seasonal items at their peak of freshness and the chef can use his creativity to design dishes.

Fine dining restaurants are full service restaurants. The food portions will most likely be smaller than at other restaurants, but it will also be much more visually appealing.

Fine dining restaurants will only offer top shelf liquors. Most will also have an array of cognacs, brandies, and other after dinner drinks. Many times, actually, a wine will be paired with a specific dish.

Fine Dining Customer Service

When you attend a fine dining restaurant, you will quickly realize that customer service is much more attentive. The staff at fine dining restaurants will be heavily trained and most likely wear formal attire.

While all fine dining restaurants are a little different, it would not be out of the ordinary for servers to escort you to the table or restroom, crumb the table between courses, replace napkins if you get up from the table, explain menu items, and serve food directly to the plate already on the table.

You will find that no detail is too small at a fine dining restaurant.

Fine Dining Atmosphere

Decorations at fine dining establishments will have higher quality materials than you would find at casual restaurants. The restaurant will most likely use fine china, glassware, and flatware. The music of the restaurant will reflect the theme and the lighting will most likely be dim.

Some fine dining establishments may require a dress code. If the restaurant specifies to wear a jacket, men should do so. Women should then choose attire that is equal in dress as the man’s jacket. Other restaurants may be more casual elegant, so women may dress in fancy, but not formal, dresses and men in suits.

General Table Manners

Now that you know what to expect at a fine dining restaurant, you may review the following list of general table manners according to All Food Business:

-Sit up fairly straight
-Keep your elbows in
-Spread your napkin on your lap when you are seated
-Large dinner napkins are half folded
-Small napkins opened full size
-At the end of the meal, leave the napkin semi-folded at the left side of the plate
-Wait until all are served before beginning to eat
-Use the silverware farthest from your plate first
-Only cut one or two small pieces of meat at a time
-Always pass to the right
-Eat in small, slow bites
-Place used silverware on the dish to which it belongs
-Replace your chair after a meal

No, you probably won’t use these tips and tricks at your niece’s 3rd birthday party or at the spaghetti house, but whether you’re a high-paid city slicker who is a frequenter on the gourmet scene or simply trying to prepare for a work awards banquet or high-class date, these rules are going to apply to you.

1. Soup and Pudding- While eating soup, your bowl should always stay on the table, never pick it up and slurp like you would your fruity pebbles on a Saturday morning. Soup spoons come in two shapes, one shaped like a bowl, the other like an egg. Do not slurp, and never put the entire spoon in your mouth–simply drink from the edge.

2. Knives and Forks- If setting a table, always remember that forks go on the left side of the plate while knives and spoons go on the right. If a table has been set with several of each utensil, it’s generally safe to move from the outside in. Begin with the sliverware furthest from your plate for the first course, and work your way in.

3. Body and Seating- If your table has no seating chart or place cards, wait to be seated by your hostess. The host always sits at the end of the table and his wife will sit to his right. Never sit in either of these two seats. When seated, always leave your feet firmly panted on the floor, sit up straight, and never put your elbows on the table.

4. Bread- Use your bread plate that should be displayed on the left hand side of your main plate. If there is no bread plate (and this may sound surprising), it’s acceptable to place your bread on the table next to your dinner plate. You should never put bread directly onto your dinner plate.

5. Conversation- Topics to never discuss at the table unless with a group you know very well: religion, politics, or sex. These subjects often spark controversy and are better shared over drinks at the bar or over coffee in your own home. Fine dining should always be a pleasant experience, do not ruin the dining experience of others by imposing your opinions on them while you eat. Also, it’s important to carry on coversations that everyone at the table can participate in. Save inside jokes, private conversations, gossip, and secrets for the playground please.

6. Fine Dining Dont’s:
-Don’t complain if you don’t like a certain dish
-Don’t blow on a dish to cool it down, wait for it to cool
-Don’t photograph the table (it’s isn’t classy)
-Don’t treat servers poorly
-Don’t overstay your welcome

With these simple etiquette rules and tips, no one will be able to tell if you frequent fine restaurants or if you usually go through the drive-through. Test yourself at a casual dinner sometime, etiquette rules can become quite the game.

1. The French Laundry in Yountville, CA has an average check size of $957. The owner of this restaurant also owns the second most expensive restaurant in America. Their website states that “a great meal is not about the food and the wine. A great meal is an emotional experience… a great meal is not one that fills you up. A great meal is a kind of journey that returns you to sources of pleasure you may have forgotten and takes you to places you haven’t been before.”
2. Per Se located in New York City. Main chef and owner, Thomas Keller also is the owner of French Laundry. The average check size at Per Se will run you about $883. Per Se is the “urban interpretatoin of The French Laundry.”
3. Michael Mina in San Francisco will cost you about $844 on average. It is described as”Japanese ingredients and a French influence.”
4. Alinea in Chicago. The average ticket here is $736. In May of 2010 this restaurant was listed as number seven in a list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. It was also in Chicago Magazine as the best restaurant in Chicago in a list of 40.
5. Charlie Trotters is the fifth most expensive restaurant in America at an average check amount of $666. This restaurant is in Chicago as well. It was in third place on the list done by the Chicago Magazine in May of 2010. The owner recently said: “I do not want guests walking out of the restaurant feeling as if they over-indulged because of excessive cream, butter, and alcohol. I want them to feel stimulated and alert, knowing that they will be able to look forward to breakfast the following morning. Food doesn’t have to be rich to taste good.”