I assume you are using that word loosely in this context!

i cannot believe we cant discuss restaurant dining without a few skirmishes breaking out.

unbelievable.

I bet if you do some cruising around the countryside you can find some hidden gems. I still occasionally encounter a little dive in the country that has amazing food. Amazing decor, typically not so much. But I’m sure you’ll definitely miss the diversity of dining in LA, probably not a lot of killer ethnic food in rural WI. Or KS for that matter....

Hispanic food choices have gotten much better in my little slice of Maryland - much, much better, including grocery stores. For this I am happy.

There is also a very vibrant Filipino Community here, with two really solid restaurants and grocery stores. I know one of the owners very well - she is unfortunately, for me, headed back to the PI.

Seafood is big here, more crabs than a Kardashian sock drawer, really cool little places with fish just off the boat.

Not my thing but they are packed in the summer.

We have a great little place 15 miles from here. The owner is from Guatemala. It is my wife's favorite place to eat out. They have a grocery store attached to the restaurant and she gets items there as well.

Across the river there is a place I used to go to more often when I lived over that way. They grow all the veggies in their own garden. I believe Alton Brown had it on his ride across America on a motorcycle show.

I’m in Stillwater right now.
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Great little town. Like so many towns, it used to be better in the 70s and 80s, more honest, less touristy. Brine's Meat Market was absolutely like stepping into a butcher shop in 1920. Bratwurst simmering in beer were always on the flat top. Nickel glued to the ancient wooden floor. Try as we might, could never get it off.

I buy 1/2 lb. of Filet Mignon for $10 at the grocery store.
Takes me a few minutes to cook it.
Would cost me $45 and 2 hours if I ate out.
I never eat out. Huge waste of time and money.

I find getting food delivered to be a huge convenience.
I always tip $10+ since the guy took 15 minutes to drive to my front door.
Now that is service.

To
Insure
Prompt
Service

If I knew I was going to get a $10 tip, You would have your food even faster!

Restaurants are a big part of what Portland is, so I was interested in reading this article with word from some of this city’s top restauranteurs. It is interesting that many of them seem to be planning to take it very slowly, when they are allowed to reopen - which may be as soon as mid May.

https://pdx.eater.com/platform/amp/2020/5/7/21249836/portland-chefs-restaurant-owner-reopening-dates

What I think is going on:
- Some places have converted to takeout and aren’t in a big or desperate rush to reopen to sit-down dining
- Other places have very small dining rooms with tables crowded together, and aren’t sure how to be profitable with much lower density seating and/or much lower demand
- Some places seem to have the financial ability to stay closed longer, thus have the option of waiting until both staff and customers feel more comfortable returning to sit down dining

I personally don’t eat out much, as I cook a lot. I usually go to ethnic places, where I don’t know how to cook those cuisines or maybe I do know but it is too much work (dim sum) or the ingredients are too much of a pain to get (Indian, sushi). Or, I’ll go get a plain old meal if it is reasonably priced ($) and super convenient. In general, I’m not too interested in paying higher prices ($$) for a meal that I can do as well at home. The really good places ($$$) do have food better and more inventive than I do at home, but I practically never feel like spending $100/person for something that is going to be **** (literally) in a couple hours. I’m too cheap.

There are a few local places near my house that I go to, and they haven’t been doing even take-out service: I am not particularly affected by another month or two of not going there - if they reopen I’ll patronize them just to help out, but I’d frankly feel more comfortable doing that later rather than sooner. I actually wouldn’t mind them opening for takeout, as I’d be able to support them without spending an hour breathing the exhale of dozens of people I don’t know.

There are some Chinese places I go to for dim sum, I’ve been getting takeout from them throughout the shutdown so I’ll continue to do that. I’m not in a hurry to go back into a crowded dim sum hubbub . . .

The restaurant in my building is important to me, as a place to bring clients. I’ll definitely resume going there, to help support them. They have a large space and have the ability to space tables well apart. They were in there this week resetting and cleaning and getting ready.

So I guess I don’t miss dining out, would not feel unhappy if I didn’t resume doing so for a couple more months, and while I will go and spend money at my favorite places as soon as they reopen, it’ll be to support them rather than because I’m really “dying” to do so.

What I really do miss is my local pub and bar. They have plenty of outdoor seating and adequately spacious indoor areas, so I’ll head there enthusiastically, as soon as they are open. I might wear a mask, since it’s easy to pull it down to take a swig.

I was looking at some data that shows in China restaurant traffic is around 40% of pre-virus levels, and seems fairly stuck at that level, improving only slowly. I suspect that is partly still a fear of virus but also partly economic. People are being a lot more careful with their spending, even those who remained employed, and it will take some time for that to change.

In the US, I think when restaurants in more urban areas reopen, they’ll see the same thing. Some business will come partially back quickly and then it’ll sit at a level much lower than pre-virus, for who knows how long. Probably longer for an expensive splurge place, longer for a business expense account place, shorter for a family or neighborhood eatery, is my guess. You urbanites agree or disagree with that?

In more rural or exurban areas, I dunno - some of you guys know better - I’d guess business comes back faster at first and then it’ll depend on the local economy. Resort town, oil town - good luck. Regular old smaller town - might be better. You non-urban dwellers agree or disagree with that?

The restaurant people I’ve talked to here say they are still doing a lot of carry out. Dine in traffic is slowly improving. It will be interesting to see what impact Mother’s Day has, typically that’s one of the busiest restaurant days of the year. Also the first weekend around here that dine in will be allowed.

More crabs than a Kardashain sock drawer, lol at Paul. Love fresh seafood when I’m near the coast!

Watching the 60 some restaurants near us, it's interesting to see some of them really hustling takeout- both chains and independents. My guess is the hustlers will be greatly rewarded when things really open up but I wouldn't be too surprised if a lot of them aren't anxious to go back to table service.
Think about it. Maybe the same or better volume than before, they don't have to clean the crappers, tables, dishes etc. etc. and they are out of there by nine or ten. Minimal staff, lower utilities- the list goes on.
A lot of them have brought back staff to deliver so they can avoid having to pay the delivery apps.
Speaking of that, remember that those delivery apps take a huge hunk out of the restaurant's hide.
Order direct and pick up or use the in house delivery if possible

OK, I understand now. I used to do that also, 20 years ago. Try it with a bordeaux style or blended wine like Isoceles from Justin Winery or Cyrus from Alexander Valley. A decent wine is a good purchase any time.

You might try a Porterhouse if you can find a good one. Or if you find yourself in a Costco, they have USDA Prime in a separate case. They don't sell the untrimmed tenderloin anymore. That used to be the absolute best way to get a Chateaubriand at home, and believe it or not, it was USDA Prime!!

Still, the better restaurants and steak houses get prime cuts of meat that are simply not available to us in a grocery store. But USDA Prime is close enough I guess. I would not want to try to cook a $60 steak at home.

Yesterday they talked about maybe going to level two of covid lockdown, which means pubs open. I immediately phoned my favorite pub and booked a table for four for next week a couple of hours after the decission. Girl was a little surprised and said "I hope to see you, and of course if the decission goes the other way I'll see you some other time."

^ very nice !!

You should try, it's not difficult.

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^ recipe please !!!

Cast iron pan really hot. Steak at cool temp. Pat dry both sides. Moisture is the enemy of the maillard effect. heavy salt and pepper both sides. Steak in the pan, let it sit there 3 minutes. Flip, 1 minute, in oven at 400F for 3 minutes. Take steak out and let it rest. Add butter, chopped shallots, fresh thyme & rosemary, soften shallots, steak back in pan, baste for a few seconds, steak on plate, pour butter sauce on top. Eat.

Thickness of steak and desired doneness changes times in oven, you will have to experiment.

Good luck! Spring Mountain Cabernet works best.

https://www.springmountainvineyard.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=view

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Different lifestyles illustrated here. Personally, I really don't go out to eat much except when travelling (in the "big city") and the shutdown has had almost no effect other than I now avoid mass transportation and work more at home (which I would/could have done all along if they would have let me). So, all day in front of a computer just like always...but I don't have to catch the last train home...so add a few hours. I have to go out for groceries about once a week vice every two weeks before...because some of the limits do not allow me to get enough eggs, etc. to go two weeks . I didn't travel recreationally every month before...so no big deal there either.

When I see commercial after commercial on TV of people crying about staying home...as if the world is ending, I just don't get it. I could understand anyone that was losing their livelihood or couldn't afford to eat with being upset...but most that I talk to on social media seem to have as much or more than before...and are only grousing about their neighbors and not getting to eat out vice carryout. All of my family has continued to work (some teleworking and some still going to their respective trade)...and no one's lives have changed much other than my daughter (doctor) who has gone for 10 hrs a day, 5 days a week to 12 hrs, 7 days a week. Me, I just wish I could get some time off. The longer hours are killing me...as everyone wants much more to be accomplished than usual (some of it useless)...to show how great we are doing during this silliness.

Like others here, I would not hesitate to go out if a local restaurant opened (and I felt like having whatever they served).

ooh damn that steak looks good

Very nicely done...but I would "ruin" it by making it medium well. No red for me.

I almost never order a steak at a restaurant. I can cook one on our grill on the back porch at home for 1/4 of the cost, and usually have a much better steak than the high end steak places. Prime rib is the one thing I order at restaurants that is almost impossible to cook just right when there is just my wife and myself.

We enjoy eating out, and it rotates from family owned Italian to Mexican, South American, Chinese, and Cajun. We have a zillion restaurants in the area. I just plan to stick to the family owned, or at least locally owned places.

I love a good chop house experience. Steak houses, the stuffy ones. So much fun.

It’s an every once in awhile things with my wife or friends. It isn’t just about the food. I wouldnt hit up a steakhouse solo. But with a couple of good friends, hell yes.

When I moved into this current house we were starved. We didn’t know the area and searched out dive joints to match our clothing and overall moving “funk”. A local steak house was open. A waiter was smoking outside and we asked about dive joints. He knew exactly what to read between our lines. He offered us a table in a closed off section. Haha. I had martini s and a great meal. My wife and I joked and laughed. We tipped him well and ducked out. Off to unpack the shower towels.

Eating out isn’t all about the food. It’s the people I’m eating with.

Solo, I could slug a protein shake or a food bar and move along in life.

Yea, eating with friends is more fun. One of our clients lives in Manhattan in an apartment below a book store. He came to OKC and he wanted some food than was different than he had in his neighborhood. So we took him to a local Cajun place. The have alligator on the menu. So we ordered some appetizers of gator. He thought gator was something endangered and we told hm is is a commercial product. He decided alligator was the "Filet mignon" of chicken.

He said he was going to find a Cajun restaurant in NYC. I have no doubt they have more than one. He loved the style of cooking.

Excellent sentiment, one I'll steal and claim as my own:D

Depends on how good the food is. I'd put up with a lot of douchebaggery for some Ruth's Chris.

^^^ come on over, only minimal douchebaggery and better than Ruth's Chris.

You're not alone.
Rare bloody raw steak like pictured above is disgusting.
GAG.

Most everything is better than RC. Especially for the price.

I will order steak when out of town, because I like steak. Prime rib isn't too bad to make at home with the sous vide and smoker.

Most of the stuff we go for is stuff we normally can't or don't make at home. Pizza too. We sometimes make it from scratch, sometimes take-n-bake and sometimes delivered hot.

I can't imagine spending money on a filet and then overcooking it when there are so many better cuts out there. To each their own.

What you posted looked better than anything I’ve ever had at Ruth’s Chris. And I wasn’t even paying the bill.

I have almost never been happy with a steakhouse steak, even very high end places. My gf loves this place Mooo in Boston. Steaks are $50 to $180. I've had 2 $60 steaks there and will never order beef there again. Supposed to be Creekstone Prime. it's mediocre at best. Whole Foods at $12 to $18/lb is consistently far better.

I shouldn't post this but here's a TripAdvisor review of Ocean Prime I did a year ago. Everyone here knows I'm a dick at times, this review confirms it. Note that I'm one of the few people who writes glowing paragraphs directly to restaurant managers through their web sites when an evening is great (and they are read, interesting stories about managers coming over to the table knowing I'm there), but goes the other way too. When we're dropping $250+ for two, I'm expecting perfection. Pick of my "bone in ribeye" below, $70 steak. **** me.

A very average, if that, upscale restaurant

My friend who has frequented OP quite a lot suggested we go as she loves the clam chowder and thought I would appreciate the experience as someone who is passionate about food. We were seated quickly and courteously and almost immediate received salads which it turns out were for another table. This happened again during our dinner.

We ordered drinks, a glass of Caymus for her, a Blanton's Old Fashioned for me. My Blanton's arrived swimming in a glass full of crushed ice that could have come from a Taco Bell soda fountain. The entire glass was filled with crushed ice. We probably should have left then as that incompetence framed the entire dinner. They were happy to take it back and replace it with one very large cube, as it should be.

Bread and butter on the table. Bland, uninspired bread. Butter was from (I’m guessing here) Target. Everyone who has eaten at this level of restaurant has had great bread and butter, more so the butter. Both were subpar. At this level, details are important for the entire experience.

Our clam chowders arrived and they were every bit as good as my friend had said. Perhaps the best clam chowder in all of Boston. Sweet, creamy and the best part being the clams were tender and succulent. I would go back to Ocean Prime for a bowl of clam chowder.

For dinner, my friend ordered the double lamb chops and I ordered a special bone-in ribeye. My friend asked the server for direction on temperature for the lamb chops, she replied that the chef suggests medium. You read that correctly, the chef suggests double lamb chops done to medium. Forget the Blanton’s full of ice or the butter from Target, that should have been the tip-off to leave having enjoyed our bowls of clam chowder and gone off to explore somewhere else for dinner that night.

I ordered the special bone-in ribeye “rare with a very hot sear” because there is little better on this Earth than a caramelized crust encasing perfectly cooked prime beef with ribbons of fat running through it. I will be honest and say that for $70, I had very high expectations and was looking forward to them being met or even exceeded. I also ordered a glass of Brunello to enjoy with the steak.

My friend received her lamb chops and I was presented with something that I can only describe as an average choice grade ribeye that had been thrown on the flattop at the diner down the street. The warm hued pic is what I received; the other pics are what I was expecting, a ribeye I had made a few weeks earlier. It had no caramelization whatsoever. It was rare but whoever butchered the roast left the silverskin in between the cap and the eye. Yes, they did. I’ve had $25 ribeyes far superior to this steak in quality of grade, cut, and preparation. I don’t think I’ve ever been so disappointed with a piece of meat in my entire life.

The staff was courteous, I declined another steak and simply ordered a Caesar salad which was good. A little more anchovy and lemon would have been nice but it was a decent salad.

Based on mediocre butter (details are so important to experience at this level), lamb chops served medium and an absolute failure of a bone-in ribeye, my conclusion is that Ocean Prime is probably considered good food for people who aren’t passionate about food but rather appreciate the setting, the generally good service and what is probably good food for 90% of restaurant goers. But it is not a restaurant for anyone with a discriminating palate. Except for the clam chowder. The person making that should start their own restaurant because they are clearly passionate about food.



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^^^^ LOL...Yer just too damn picky :D!

Favorite steakhouse was Drais in Vegas. awesome old school service/ambiance and excellent food. Too bad its now Wild Bills I think, not nearly as good.

you sound like a barrel of laughs


retired boomer thing? nope. born in 72 here. with i guess, a lot of money and time to waste

Haha. I’m with you. I enjoy time away from my own kitchen. We all die alone. Living alone is just unacceptable to me.

Yep...a boomer thing. Not a restaurant (even McDonalds) within 30 miles of where I grew up. Even if there were, I could not have afforded a happy meal.

I'm assuming you don't have kids?
Gen X'ers your age have 2-3 kids and have not been to a restaurant in a decade or more.

Did you conduct a poll?