Extended lockdown measures mean most of us no longer dine out. But if social distancing is getting to you, staring at the fridge is too frustrating, and cooking dinner is the farthest thing from your mind, why not try to lift your spirits by reviving the restaurant vibe at home?
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Believe it or not, you can have a restaurant-like experience without going out of you way. A little effort goes a long way in terms of creating an elegant, exotic, and exciting meal in the comfort of your own kitchen, and a recent collaboration between Israeli company Natural Intelligence and the "Top 10" website, has come up with 10 easy ways that will transform your entire meal experience from drab to fab.
1: Clean up
This may seem obvious, but it's worth saying. You'll never walk into a messy restaurant, and while there's no need to spend three hours scrubbing down the house, taking a few minutes to tidy up the dining area can make a world of difference. Create an atmosphere where you'd want to sit down and spend a few enjoyable hours with someone you love.
2: Set the mood
Another aspect of restaurant dining is the ambiance. You don't have to have fine china and silver cutlery to feel like you're at an upscale restaurant – all it takes is a little attention to details: Use a pretty tablecloth or runner; put flowers on the table; set the table to amp up the elegance; perhaps choose a color scheme to be a conversation starter. It's amazing what a few small details can do for the experience.
3: Have menus
Part of the fun of going to a restaurant is perusing the menu and looking at all the scrumptious options. Other than the whimsical aspect of having a list of options to choose from while dining in, creating a menu will prove a time-saver when you shop for and prepare your meal as it will help you have everything you need beforehand. Moreover, the menu's design can play into your desired restaurant style.
4: Play music
Adding music really enhances the entire dining experience. Prepare an enjoyable playlist to play in the background. This can be fast and loud, slow and romantic – whatever you want to set the tone. If this is a special occasion, you can include songs that have sentimental meaning to you and your dining partner.
5: Let there be light
Ever notice how different restaurants have different types of lighting to set the mood? Why not do the same? Light some candles, use a fireplace of you have one – or look up a fireplace video on YouTube to create a more romantic, rustic atmosphere or, if you prefer, light up the night with some bright lights for a more vibrant, upbeat feel to the meal.
6: Break bread
One of the quiet little pleasures of eating out is having a breadbasket and dips to dip into throughout the meal. Make your own or buy a fresh loaf, slice it up, and serve warm bread for an easy and delicious meal enhancer.
7: Start with a drink
There's something luxurious about sitting back with a flavorful drink in your hand while you dine. Whether it's wine, a cocktail, beer or even a soft drink, kicking off the meal with a drink definitely adds more appeal to a meal and the entire evening.
8: Presentation is everything
If the era of cooking competitions and Instagram has taught us anything, is that you eat with your eyes first, and to be honest, when you go out to a restaurant, the way your food looks takes care of 90% of the experience. But you don't necessarily have to take a course to spice up your presentation skills: Choose attractive plates to serve on and don't be afraid to mix and match shapes; don't overcrowd the plate; think about colors and contrast and add some fresh greens or brightly-colored fruits to really give your plate a color punch.
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9: Get saucy!
Liquids actually play a major role in plate presentation, so learn from the experts: Place moist ingredients – sauce, coulis, or a puree – as the base of the dish then serve the drier food on top of it. It's also nice to use some sauce or other liquid for a color pop on the plate. Use a squeeze bottle to make pretty designs on, under, and around your food.
10: Just desserts
Lastly, everyone knows that the best way to end a restaurant experience is with a decadent dessert. Whether it's chocolate souffle, sorbet and fruit, or a light meringue, desserts are usually the dish by which you remember your experience, so don't skimp on this luxurious extra when dining in. Whether you buy something delectable from the bakery or whip something up yourself, there are plenty of options out there to round off the perfect at-home experience ending the evening with a sweet treat that will leave a sweet taste in your mouth and your heart.
So, don't be afraid to experiment with the food in the kitchen and the design of the dining area. You just might find that creating an indoors eating experience is just – if not more – fun than going out!
