Dimmi - Instant Restaurant Reservations

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Your Restaurant Guide

If the walls of restaurants could talk, the tales they would tell. For it's in restaurants that many of life's special moments are played out. Restaurants are where we go to celebrate, commiserate, socialise and commemorate. To romance that special someone, talk business, laugh and gossip with family, and share fun times with friends. With the pleasure of sating our desire for the sight, aroma and taste of beautiful food making our restaurant experiences all the more memorable.

People the world over just love eating out. And we've been doing it for a very long time, starting with the ancient Romans who enjoyed socialising at thermopolia - small bars in public spaces that sold prepared food. But it was a bunch of French food fiends who, in the late 1700s, cunningly cooked up the concept of menus offering a choice of dishes made to order.

Of course, it's not just what's on the restaurant's menu that counts. A restaurant's décor, service, ambience, wine list and setting all play a part in delivery a dining experience that leaves you drooling for more.

Choosing Restaurants

These days we're spoilt for choice, particularly in major cities where every second person fancies themselves an expert reviewer of restaurants, and restaurants of all styles tempt us at every corner.

It can be stressful and time-consuming choosing the perfect place to eat out. Especially if it's to be the scene of something huge like a marriage proposal or the signoff on a mega-million-dollar business deal.

Getting it wrong could leave more than just a bad taste in your mouth: a dining-out disaster could leave you with egg on your face forever.

Luckily, getting it right is easy if you do a few minutes of homework. Below are some tips for helping you to make the right decisions when eating out.

Reasons To Dine Out At Restaurants

A first date: look for somewhere quiet, romantic & intimate so you can talk, hold hands and play footsy. Not cheap but not too grand. Aim to delight rather than impress your date. Ask your cute new friend if they're vegetarian or dislike certain cuisines. Your thoughtfulness will earn you points before the date even begins.

A birthday bash: choose space, a lively atmosphere & a menu with variety so there's something to please everyone. Ensure the restaurant is easy to find & get to for all guests. If guests are picking up the tab, pick a restaurant that won't bust the bank. If you're paying it's wise to go for a BYO & a set-price menu. If kids are invited check that they're welcome & there's a kids' menu.

A Business lunch: go discreet & sophisticated with a select wine list so you can toast success with a fine champagne. A convenient location makes sense - either walking distance or a short cab ride away from the office. (But if lunch turns into an all-afternoon party, be a good host and make sure the others go home and not back to work with a bellyful.)  And always check out your guests' food foibles before booking!

Dining out Do's and Don'ts

Which cuisine? Experiencing new flavours & innovative dishes is one of life's great pleasures. Conversely, it can be embarrassing to invite a guest along for an experience they can't stomach. Have a chat to your fellow diners - are they eager for adventure? Or would they prefer the tried, true and proven-to-please?

Restaurant setting. A moonlit terrace on the waterfront? A window seat overlooking a busy boulevard where you can 'people watch'? A back-of-the-room booth in a basement with Barry White crooning in the background? Choosing a restaurant with an inspirational location & great ambience can go a long way towards making a meal truly magical.

Book online! It's a real bummer to front up to a restaurant, famished and looking forward to eating out, only to find the place is packed to the rafters. Or closed. Booking takes just a couple of minutes on Dimmi and guarantees you won't miss out on a table.