Location, Location, Location

You read about how location is everything in the restaurant world; it's why some restaurants make it and others close anonymously... We're all pretty savvy about the "good" restaurants in town and are usually on the look out for the next "hot" one! A good location is important because it gets us there, right? Convenient, central or at least in an area that's accessible. But what brings us there, the reason for going, is the food, right?

Usually it's with anticipation that my friends and I will check out a great restaurant. The service, ambiance and (some type of available parking) all contribute to the experience, but at the end of the meal, it's the food right? That is what it's all about. We know that's true because my closest friend Angela and I will still swear by a Gordo's burrito in San Francisco and believe me, there's nothing to speak of in the way of location or ambiance when you're there- you stand in line and place your order for a fantastic burrito. You watch them place the paper thin tortilla in a steam press and then chop up the crispy and delicious carnitas, grilled beef or chicken and put it all together. No fake guacamole, no weird pretend sour cream. Only authentic ingredients with true pico de gallo and pinto or black beans that are firm and hot. We love Gordos. But again, it's all about the food, not the location.

I bring this whole thing up because I just read the most amazing article in a magazine today about a dining experience in the clouds- I know... HUH?? Okay, well, here's what it is. It is a very high end experience in Europe and South Africa 160 feet off the ground offered by a Belgian entrepreneur. You dine suspended at a large table for 22, seat belts on, with a canopy overhead. The article says for $38,000., you and 21 of your closest friends can have this dining experience....there was no mention of what the food is like. I suspect most people that sign up are doing it for the novelty of this unique experience in the sky and of course the view. Is the food incidental? I would hope not, but how hungry are you when you are swaying in the breeze on a platform, seatbelted in place with exposure to the elements? Just my opinion, but I wonder about that! No mention was made about the food actually, just a reference to "ordering in advance".. gee, what a surprise; it's not like a waiter is going to circulate menus and taking your order and then taking it back to the kitchen..or am I missing something? You're already in the sky suspended- it's not like they're going to take the platform up and down a million times to get everyone's different courses and orders.

I think this is a funny concept because this seems like something people would love to do for the novelty of dining in the sky. But what about motion sickness? And birds?? And what happens if you drop a fork?? Who on earth is going to get a little surprise on the ground when that fork lands? What happens when you shake the crumbs off your napkin or spill some water or drop your wine glass? It's seems a little humerous in a cartoon kind of way. And will you're food be hot? That's something most of us expect when we dine out unless I'm just being picky...

But here's an idea. Why not take your portion of the cost ($38K divided by 22= $1,727.) and create an alternative, amazing dining experience. Say you live in Monterey. Why not take a fabulous helecoptor ride to San Francisco, see beautiful landscape and views and maybe you'll even see a whale in the ocean if you're lucky. From there, take a limo to Gary Denko or the French Laundry in Napa and have an incredible and truly unforgettable meal. You should even have enough left over to stay at a great hotel. Sorry to rain on the parade(no pun intended since for those diners in the sky, inclement weather could "dampen" their spirits a little!) I think there are so many contributing factors to great dining, but I say, if you want to go on a ride, go to Euro Disney! Or take a balloon ride!

When comes to finding a great place to dine, my feet are planted firmly on the ground. I'm more interested in the dining experience than the ride that got me there. Location is of course important and how you got there is a contributing element, but in the end, it will always be incidental to the dining experience itself...