Savory food is one of life's pleasures, and delectable dining in an inviting ambiance and delightful setting is an art de vivre. Whether it is a four-course meal at a five-star restaurant, catered dishes at a V.I.P. dinner party, or takeout food for the Fourth of July picnic, Americans enthusiastically partake in culinary celebrations, finding them to be particularly inviting....to their five senses. As a testament to this, the U.S. food service industry generates nearly $400 billion in sales to restaurants and other establishments, almost the same amount as sales of food items to grocery outlets. It is not surprising, therefore, that it is one of the largest employers in the country.
The dining experience takes numerous forms, the most prevalent and palatable to the public being the following:
1. Catering
A catered event is one in which food and drinks or, in some cases, just hors d'oeuvres, are supplied to the guests in attendance. The meals are usually high quality or gourmet, with the catering company or restaurant chefs investing special effort to prepare the food and present it with an artistic flair. Catering is present at numerous functions and special occasions, ranging from weddings, parties, and bridal showers to fundraisers, book signings and gallery openings. Some of the most requested types of catering are barbeque catering, mobile catering, and event catering. Mobile catering involves the supplying of food from a cart or vehicle and is usually found at workplaces, downtown business districts and outdoor events such as festivals and sports events. With event catering, on the other hand, food preparation may take place on site or off-location in which case the catering company will simply put the finishing touches on the already-prepared food. Even though the food is the focal point, an increasing number of catering companies are shifting to the full event planning model, in which they not only prepare scrumptious meals but also ensure that the lighting, table settings, decorations and overall ambience are equally enticing. Catering is generally available even on holidays.
2. Takeout food
Ever increasing in popularity is food bought at a restaurant but consumed elsewhere. Restaurants that provide takeout may or may not offer table service. Establishments that do not have table service but provide take-out exclusively are known as take-out restaurants. Classic take-out items include Chinese food and pizza. Although take-out food is usually fast food, many take-away outlets serve high-quality traditional food. One example is the high-end deli sandwich sold by numerous take-out franchises. In some locales, consumers can place take-out orders via the internet.
3. Restaurant
What distinguishes a good restaurant from a mediocre one is the caliber of cook or cooking team employed there. At top-of-the-line restaurants, the service crew and chefs usually hail from a prestigious cooking school. There is a garden of variety of restaurants for consumers to choose from, and they include the following:
a) Delivery restaurant
There are plenty of restaurant delivery services that will pick up a client's meal from his or her favorite local restaurant and deliver it directly to their door-at a home, hotel or office. The average breakfast, lunch or dinner is delivered within an hour, fresh and ready to be enjoyed. It is recommended that customers provide advance notice if they need a specific delivery time or wish to place a large order. A considerable number of delivery restaurants also offer affordable drop-off catering and party platters for any occasion. Menus and gift certificates are available online, and consumers may also request a menu guide from the company's website. Orders may be placed by fax, phone or via the internet.
b) Fast food restaurant
Also known as a quick service restaurant, this establishment is characterized by inexpensive, fast food prepared and served expeditiously, as well as by limited table service. The meals- fried chicken, tacos, hot dogs, cheeseburgers and sub sandwiches, to name a few- are cooked in bulk ahead of time and are often also available for take-out. The lack of cutlery is one common feature of these restaurants. Customers either 1) collect their order from the counter and sit down (self-service restaurants) or 2) pay at the counter and wait for their order to be brought to their table.
c) Coffee shop
A coffeehouse is a hybrid between a bar and a restaurant. This typically hip establishment supplies light snacks, tea and coffee, and offers quick service. The food at a coffee shop is pre-plated, the table covers are ordinary, and the atmosphere casual and cozy. A coffee shop is the ideal locale for chatting, writing, reading and passing the time.
d) Cafe
This is an informal restaurant that supplies a variety of hot meals and is sometimes licensed to serve alcohol.
e) Specialty restaurant
These are restaurants that specialize in a specific cuisine or that feature a particular theme, and they include the following: (1) a sea food restaurant (sometimes adjoining a fish market), (2) a vegetarian restaurant, (3) a steak restaurant, (4) a barbeque restaurant, (5) a breakfast restaurant (offering a Continental or English breakfast) and (6) a pizza restaurant/pizzeria. A specialty restaurant may also be geared towards a particular ethnic cuisine, of which a garden variety abounds:
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Italian food
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French food
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Greek food
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Irish food
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German food
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Spanish food
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American food
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Mexican food
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Chinese food
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Thai food
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Japanese food
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Korean food
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Vietnamese food
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Indian food
f) Diner
Boasting an architectural style characteristic of the northeastern United States, diners are as American as apple pie- offering a classic American menu (burgers, fries, club sandwiches, etc.). Most of the food is grilled, and there tends to be a strong emphasis on breakfast meals. A diner is typically defined by a counter, late operating hours (some staying open 24 hours a day) and a casual ambiance.