Menu-less restaurants?
Jan 22, 2013 | 7:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
Menu-less restaurants?
As I was eating and drinking my way through Italy last week it occurred to me that the best restaurants we went to were menu-less - they just bring you plate after plate after plate of whatever they're serving that night, and usually all of it outstanding. I was pondering whether such a concept would ever be popular in the states, outside of a few niche locations. What do you think - would this ever catch on, presuming the food was of the same quality you get in Italy, or is that last constraint laughable?
Jan 22, 2013 | 8:34 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Posts: 2,731
I can think of a couple (one in my town, even, which isn't that large) that change menus daily, but require booking in advance. They have maybe two or three choices for each course, and you just better hope you like what they have the day you go. That seems pretty close.
I've been to a Chinese place in San Francisco that just brought food when they were very busy (which was most of the time). The waiter would ask initially about some basic things you did/didn't want--chicken? Yes! Beef? No! Spicy? Yes!--and bring food accordingly. Their food was very, very good, so it tended to work out!
I've been to a Chinese place in San Francisco that just brought food when they were very busy (which was most of the time). The waiter would ask initially about some basic things you did/didn't want--chicken? Yes! Beef? No! Spicy? Yes!--and bring food accordingly. Their food was very, very good, so it tended to work out!
Jan 22, 2013 | 11:45 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
in france, menu degustation(also called surprise, and leftovers) was/is quite common. in usa, we have the 5or8or12 course tasting menu. in italy, it was pretty easy to find a restaurant that would "find out what we have in the kitchen"
Jan 22, 2013 | 11:54 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
Not exactly the same. While the tasting or degustation menu is usually 5 or 8 courses of small dishes, carefully chosen, I'm talking more about what Slawecki mentioned where they just bring to the table platter after platter of whatever they're cooking that day. I've lost track of how many incredible meals I've had in Italy like that
Jan 23, 2013 | 9:31 am
#6
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
We do it at several restaurants where we are regulars. We go in, the hostess sits us down, brings the menus, the manager comes over and asks if we want him to take care of us and he takes away the menus and starts bringing us food.
We have done it for three or four years now in this case, and even though he always offers it to people, he has said very very few take him up on it.
I think it's sad and they are really missing out, but for whatever reason, many (most?) people in the United States are not comfortable if they order off the menu.
Personally, I love it.
We have done it for three or four years now in this case, and even though he always offers it to people, he has said very very few take him up on it.
I think it's sad and they are really missing out, but for whatever reason, many (most?) people in the United States are not comfortable if they order off the menu.
Personally, I love it.
Jan 23, 2013 | 10:06 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
We do it at several restaurants where we are regulars. We go in, the hostess sits us down, brings the menus, the manager comes over and asks if we want him to take care of us and he takes away the menus and starts bringing us food.
We have done it for three or four years now in this case, and even though he always offers it to people, he has said very very few take him up on it.
I think it's sad and they are really missing out, but for whatever reason, many (most?) people in the United States are not comfortable if they order off the menu.
We have done it for three or four years now in this case, and even though he always offers it to people, he has said very very few take him up on it.
I think it's sad and they are really missing out, but for whatever reason, many (most?) people in the United States are not comfortable if they order off the menu.
Jan 23, 2013 | 12:41 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA, Mucci!
Posts: 16,581
We do it at several restaurants where we are regulars. We go in, the hostess sits us down, brings the menus, the manager comes over and asks if we want him to take care of us and he takes away the menus and starts bringing us food.
We have done it for three or four years now in this case, and even though he always offers it to people, he has said very very few take him up on it.
I think it's sad and they are really missing out, but for whatever reason, many (most?) people in the United States are not comfortable if they order off the menu.
Personally, I love it.
We have done it for three or four years now in this case, and even though he always offers it to people, he has said very very few take him up on it.
I think it's sad and they are really missing out, but for whatever reason, many (most?) people in the United States are not comfortable if they order off the menu.
Personally, I love it.
Jan 23, 2013 | 1:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: KIX, ITM, UKB, YVR
Programs: Star Alliance - AC
Posts: 2,356
In Japan, they are called Kappo type restaurants.
My favorite place, chef already knows my preferences, likes and dislikes, he just requests that I call him a day before so he can be sure that he has the supplies needed to make us a meal that is tailored for us.
We get there,we have no idea what he is making but 20 plus times we have done this, only once was the meal not to die for. There is a sense of anticipation each and every time we go.
My favorite place, chef already knows my preferences, likes and dislikes, he just requests that I call him a day before so he can be sure that he has the supplies needed to make us a meal that is tailored for us.
We get there,we have no idea what he is making but 20 plus times we have done this, only once was the meal not to die for. There is a sense of anticipation each and every time we go.
Jan 23, 2013 | 7:58 pm
#11
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,926
State Bird Provisions in SF, Bon Appetite's best new restaurant in the country, is basically menu-less.
Jan 26, 2013 | 11:04 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Roaming the earth
Posts: 53
The only true menu-less restaurants I've been to were in Italy also. Though when I go to Japanese restos I usually just do Omakase style and let the chef take care of us. It adds that element of anticipation and surprise to your meal which for me, adds to the whole experience.
Jan 26, 2013 | 11:50 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
If anybody has any recommendations for great restaurants within about 50 miles of Boston that might provide an outstanding dining experience (maybe even off the menu?), please PM me. Will be back in Portsmouth, NH in March...We mainly look for off the beaten track, non-chain, places, for example, Joe's Boathouse in Portland, although it looks to be taking a beating in the online ratings of late...we liked it the last time there
Jan 26, 2013 | 12:40 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
We do it at several restaurants where we are regulars. We go in, the hostess sits us down, brings the menus, the manager comes over and asks if we want him to take care of us and he takes away the menus and starts bringing us food.
We have done it for three or four years now in this case, and even though he always offers it to people, he has said very very few take him up on it.
I think it's sad and they are really missing out, but for whatever reason, many (most?) people in the United States are not comfortable if they order off the menu.
Personally, I love it.
We have done it for three or four years now in this case, and even though he always offers it to people, he has said very very few take him up on it.
I think it's sad and they are really missing out, but for whatever reason, many (most?) people in the United States are not comfortable if they order off the menu.
Personally, I love it.
But then dim sum is sort of like that, isn't it?
Jan 27, 2013 | 1:42 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Roaming the earth
Posts: 53