Restaurant atmosphere

Most of my opinion of a great meal out, is the feel or vibe the place has. I think for most of us, we could stay in and cook a good meal, but what really brings you out? It's the atmosphere of the restaurant for me.

When you think about your favorite restaurant, how much is your opinion related to the food or the experience in the place?

[Robin Garr]

When you think about your favorite restaurant, how much is your opinion related to the food or the experience in the place?

Food and service count for a lot, but there's no question that a good atmosphere adds points. Corbett's, 610 Magnolia, Proof, 211 Clover, Majid's and Captain's Quarters come right to mind as places where the atmosphere enhances an already good experience.

I'm not sure whether atmosphere would do much to save a bad experience, but when all else is good, then an outstanding atmosphere definitely puts icing on the cake.

But, since I said something nice about Corbett's, let me turn it around on another of Deano's joints: When Equus merged with Jack's, they sadly spoiled the atmosphere for me by putting up so many big-screen televisions in the elegant surroundings that had been Equus. I'm sure the decision to create a unified atmosphere throughout the two former spaces was carefully thought out, but it just doesn't have the same feel for me any more, even though the food is just as good.

I believe good food is enough to keep me at a restaurant, but poor atmosphere is enough to keep me away from being there in the first place. If that makes sense.

I also mentioned this in another thread but while the atmosphere may have some influence on our decision where to eat I person don't believe it is a huge influence. If it was wire places like Jack Fry's, Mike Linning's, Ramsi's, etc. so popular? You certainly can't say that any of them have a fantastic atmosphere in any way. As a matter of fact they actually have many of the things most people don't look for in a nice restaurant, crowding and noisy yet they're all very popular!

I think as long as the food is good a restaurant can do very well but if the food isn't good or below par they're not going to survive no matter how nice the atmosphere is.

732 Social is my favorite dining atmosphere in Louisville. Others include Volare and Proof. Heading to Majid's for the first time this weekend and can't wait to see how it feels.

But, since I said something nice about Corbett's, let me turn it around on another of Deano's joints: When Equus merged with Jack's, they sadly spoiled the atmosphere for me by putting up so many big-screen televisions in the elegant surroundings that had been Equus. I'm sure the decision to create a unified atmosphere throughout the two former spaces was carefully thought out, but it just doesn't have the same feel for me any more even though the food is just as good.

After reviewing the menu at Equus recently it seemed to me that a decision was made by Chef Deano to make Equus the medium price point destination for his fans (customers) and Corbett's would be the higher price point destination. Perhaps that led to the decision to make the whole space more casual. That being said it's my opinion there isn't a better place to enjoy a meal than Corbett's. The atmosphere, the service and the food is spot on.

But, since I said something nice about Corbett's, let me turn it around on another of Deano's joints: When Equus merged with Jack's, they sadly spoiled the atmosphere for me by putting up so many big-screen televisions in the elegant surroundings that had been Equus. I'm sure the decision to create a unified atmosphere throughout the two former spaces was carefully thought out, but it just doesn't have the same feel for me any more even though the food is just as good.

After reviewing the menu at Equus recently it seemed to me that a decision was made by Chef Deano to make Equus the medium price point destination for his fans (customers) and Corbett's would be the higher price point destination. Perhaps that led to the decision to make the whole space more casual. That being said it's my opinion there isn't a better place to enjoy a meal than Corbett's. The atmosphere, the service and the food is spot on.

1+

For me atmosphere and service are right up there with food. And when I say "service" I really mean friendliness, attitude. My favorite places make me feel like a guest in their home. All the stuffy pretentiousness , no matter how correct, cannot substitute for hospitality.

All the stuffy pretentiousness , no matter how correct, cannot substitute for hospitality.

I agree, good point. A friend of mine who lives in the Netherlands, and has visited here twice, sent me a snippet of an article he read that he doesn't agree with...

"This is the standard that Michelin demands of three-star restaurants in France, and if you've ever experienced it, it's amazing. A server is always there the instant you need something - often just before you realized that you needed it - yet they are completely non-intrusive. It's almost as if everything you need appears by magic.

It's hard to imagine achieving this level of service in the US, and a lot of excellent places fail because they master the art of Being There but miss the principle of Not Letting Their Presence Show. Without a professional restaurant service community or a national criteron that carries the weight that Michelin does in France, there really is no strong incentive to meet this service standard. Unless you have the rare restaurateur like Dean who can envision it and inspire staff to reach it."

My friend's reaction... "...Nice story teller...but there must be another France in Europe as where I've been....LOL..."

Atmosphere is one of those tangible intangibles, to me. It sets the mood and should always fall in-line with the food, beverage and service.

If you're gonna be a dive bar, be a dive bar. Fine dining should inspire that air. A barbeque joint should be just that.

I remember in Orlando, on International Drive (the birthplace of many-a-chain-concept) there were some restaurants that truly puzzled the diner. One that pops into mind is Dan Marino's. You never got a sense of identity out of the place. Casual? Sports Pub? Steakhouse? TGI Fridays? I still don't honestly know the answer. Don't think they ever did. I walked in once and walked right back out, confused by the framed pictures of the man alongside 50 TV's, and exhibition kitchen and servers clad in black-and whites. I was looking for a sports bar to watch a game and ended up with... well I don't exactly know.

I do know that I found a sports bar to watch the game with some like-minded souls!

If it was wire places like Jack Fry's, Mike Linning's, Ramsi's, etc. so popular? You certainly can't say that any of them have a fantastic atmosphere in any way. As a matter of fact they actually have many of the things most people don't look for in a nice restaurant, crowding and noisy yet they're all very popular!

Firstly, "wire places"? Are you serious?

Secondly, Jack Fry's has probably the most authentically "Louisville" atmosphere in, well, Louisville. Take a minute to, y'know, look at all of the incredible photographs lining the walls, full of historical Louisville personages and moments, and tell me again that the place doesn't have atmosphere. Because you'd be wrong. For me, part of the fun of dining at Jack Fry's, aside from the excellent food and service, is that I'm stepping back in time, in a familiar way, reaching back into a Louisville that is long gone, but part of me and my experiences from every time I've dined there. You don't have to be a veteran of the '37 flood to learn something from a simple picture of what Louisville went through to understand it.

Finally, if it's too loud, you're too old.

Finally, if it's too loud, you're too old.

Would have to disagree with this statement. For all the bashing of kids on this forum, nothing is worse than very large parties shouting over each other, especially if drunken.

Unfortunately, had this experience last night at Ramsi's where table of dozen women were so loud could barely have discussion from about 20 feet away. To make matters worse, the conversation was not remotely interesting as they thought, and while food was excellent, the lasting impression of the meal was the overall loudness.

It was a quip, a joke. I agree, an overly loud and obnoxious party can definitely ruin dining out, to be sure.

[Robin Garr]

Finally, if it's too loud, you're too old.

Would have to disagree with this statement. For all the bashing of kids on this forum, nothing is worse than very large parties shouting over each other, especially if drunken.

Unfortunately, had this experience last night at Ramsi's where table of dozen women were so loud could barely have discussion from about 20 feet away. To make matters worse, the conversation was not remotely interesting as they thought, and while food was excellent, the lasting impression of the meal was the overall loudness.

Couldn't agree with you more, Ron. We recently had an otherwise very pleasant dinner at 610 Magnolia - well, not spoiled, maybe, but certainly the fun diminished - by the presence of a party of about 12 celebrating someone's birthday. They were obviously having a great time, but they were VERY loud, and it just went on and on and on. I sort of wished someone in management could have gone over and found a kind, polite and inoffensive way to remind them that other people were trying to enjoy their dinners too, but I know that's a no-win situation for management.

This crowd was all ages, by the way, probably a three-generation group from barely legal to grandparents.

If it wasn't clear the first time I said it was a joke, I'll say it again: it was a joke. Sheesh.