Attention to Detail

It's the little things that matter. Those little details that make ok things fantastic. That was what made tonight's dinner a little bit special. The courteous, attentive but not overbearing staff; the napkins unfolded and placed on our laps; the extra bread at no cost; the coffee served with steamed hot milk on the side and the happy birthday written in chocolate sauce on the birthday girls plate.

Just little things, but those are the attentions to detail that make the difference.

I think it was Ben Elton in his late 80's, early 90's TV show who coined the phrase style over substance. If I recall correctly he was making comment about a supermarket which had just brought out a new advertising campaign that seemed to be marketing their food as a more upmarket cuisine. His point was that it was the same old food, the same substance but the marketing gave it a new style.

Sometimes I think that there is a place for this. If something is dressed up to look nice then often it will get noticed and be treated more favourable than something that is actually much better quality. This can, on occasion , be useful. However if you spend any time with it you will soon see the cracks and the facade falls away. Style on its own can only get you so far.

Tonight's restaurant had the style, the attention to detail but it also had the substance and that's what made it a good night out.

And they had cheesecake!

 

 

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