Ask George: What’s the best way to choose a special occasion restaurant? Jackie C., St. Louis
Since special occasion dining occurs but a few times per year, more thought and planning are in order. I therefore would recommend several parameters, giving the most weight to information gleaned from professional restaurant reviewers, especially those who do so anonymously. Why? Because they’re professionals. This is what they're paid to do. This is what they’re good at.
Next in importance is word of mouth from trusted individuals, people who think like you, people who know restaurants and food, people whose palates you respect.
Then I would consult the mass reviewers—Zagat, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Urban Spoon, Open Table, etc (I favor Zagat and Open Table, but wrote about them all here.) wrote about them here. The objective here is not to focus on any one review but take them in sum, taking the collective pulse. Doing so will most likely reinforce what you’ve read in the reviews.
One a choice or two or three has been established, visit the respective websites. Doing this accomplishes many things: the menu and prices are the main driver here, but there’s also visuals—for both food and atmosphere. Reading between the lines yields the level of professionalism and passion. Outdated information or a lack of detail indicates a lack thereof.
Then move to the restaurant’s Facebook page, a real-time indicator of exactly what’s occurring at that restaurant that week or night. Restaurants often post their nightly specials there—another barometer of the culinary skill and professionalism—as well as any upcoming entertainment. (Many restaurants use Twitter to echo its Facebook posts, but Twitter still may be of some value.)
At that point—depending on the importance of the occasion--I often take a few extra steps.
I may call the restaurant and request a “special occasion” table and even the best server working that night. I’ve also been known to visit the restaurant to survey the layout and request a specific table…all restaurant tables have numbers and you won’t be chided for asking for a specific one (in fact, the effect is usually the opposite).
At this point, I may ask for something specific—a special cocktail, beer, wine, even an appetizer-- to be delivered on arrival. Nothing’s more impressive than being escorted to a table and seeing a napkin-draped champagne bucket close at hand. The occasion just became a little more special.
