If you’re planning a night out with friends or going out on a romantic dinner date, you’re probably considering a night out at someplace different. If you’re selecting a unique restaurant with some of the top cuisine in the area, then you probably have an idea of what you want: food, drinks, and fun, of course. But do you know what you don’t want out of the experience? Many people know the kind of food they like, but they don’t always know what to avoid when they go out.
What should you never see at a so-called unique restaurant? Here are three things that can ruin anyone’s night out.
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1. Boring food. Imagine this: you’re excited to see a new restaurant open up in your neighborhood, so you go out on a date or with friends. The place looks interesting, the staff is friendly, but you open the menu and realize that you’ve seen all of these foods before. There is nothing on this menu you haven’t tasted, and you’re pretty sure you could get the same meals at your local diner for far less. Even worse, you order something, and it’s bland as bland can be.
2. Bad service. Nobody wants bad service at a restaurant, but it can happen just about anywhere. Because many people select unique restaurants for food and entertainment on a night out, they’re ultimately paying for an experience. If your server is rude, or if the meal comes out of the kitchen at a snail’s pace or isn’t what you ordered, then it can put a damper on the evening. A restaurant can have a great theme and even good food, but with poor service, it can turn into a firm 1-star review on Yelp.
3. Low Quality Entertainment. Restaurant entertainment options can vary depending on where you are. Some restaurants feature arcade games and pub quizzes; others have live entertainment like comedy or karaoke. Sports bars, meanwhile, should have plenty of TVs to let you and your friends watch the game. If your restaurant doesn’t have these options and you’re looking for them, then it could make for a boring night out even with some of the best conversationalists you know.
Need tips on finding a restaurant with entertainment? Have a not-so-fine dining nightmare to share? Tell us in the comments below.