What to do to choose a good restaurant to eat out at

There are many factors that people consider when choosing a restaurant to dine out at. The main thing has got to be the food:

· Is the menu interesting? · Is the food tasty? · Is it served at the right temperature? · Is it attractively presented? · Are the portions the size you expect? · Is the food cooked to the specifications of the customer? · Does the food smell good? · Could you easily have cooked it yourself?

You can ask for menus to be sent to you, view them on notice boards outside the venue or look them up online. For other factors you will need to ask people who have already been. A good way to find out is to read restaurant guides and reviews (which can be easily looked up online). It is also a good idea to check the wine list to see if there is a good selection that compliments the dishes on the menu. Good food on its own is not enough to attract and retain customers if the restaurant rates badly in other key areas.

The speed and quality of service is another very important factor when choosing a restaurant. Staff should be polite, friendly, helpful, not too intrusive and not too slow with taking orders. They should welcome guests immediately on arrival and also be checking with customers when the food has come out that everything is OK. The staff should be knowledgeable about the food and drinks they are serving.

Cleanliness also ranks highly as a deciding factor. That means everything from the kitchen, cutlery, crockery, glasses, floors, staff and toilets. Unclean restaurants not only put customers off but can also pose a genuine health risk.

The ambiance of a place will affect your dining experience. Venues range from cosy and intimate to trendy and brightly lit. Some have live music, others have recorded music and some have nothing at all. Also consider if the clientele are your scene and whether children are catered for. The setting will also affect the ambiance - whether the venue is in the town or in a rural location.

Facilities offered by the restaurant matter to varying degrees to different people. For some, a facility such as disabled access or catering for special allergies will be high on the list whereas for others it would not be. You should consider whether you can park easily at the venue or somewhere nearby. It is also best to check whether you can or should book in advance and whether service charge is added to your bill to avoid any nasty surprises later.

The price of your meal is obviously important, but only you can decide what your budget is and whether you think the restaurant gives you value for money.