Now we’ve come to the most important topic in the world… FINE DINING. =D
Of course, even within the world of fine dining, there are levels to this. Michelin-starred restaurants take things to another tier. Since this was my first real experience in this realm, I chose to start on the lower end. And by “lower end,” I mean this: Gordon Ramsay has 17 Michelin-starred restaurants — we went to one that doesn’t have a star, something more accessible.
Now you might say, “Well, what’s stopping you? Just make a reservation at a starred place.” It doesn’t really work like that. To walk into that kind of environment with ease, you either need to have grown up in that world — or have a mentor who’s prepped you for it. Still, thankfully, this too is something you can learn through experience.
So how do you go through that process? In my opinion, gathering too much information beforehand ruins the experience. That’s why I don’t believe reading others’ reviews or following their recommendations is a great idea. And here’s the thing: when you read someone else’s experience, you’re most likely hearing from someone experienced. But for someone without that experience, it’s not always helpful. Because a real experience only happens when you don’t exactly know what’s coming. At that point, of course, you might wonder: “What if I embarrass myself or leave a bad impression?”
Now here’s the critical part… Believe me — in places like this, they can instantly tell whether you’re new or familiar with the scene the moment you walk in. That’s why you should never hesitate to ask for help. Asking questions and letting the waiter guide you is essential. When you learn directly from the person serving you, you’re much less likely to forget — and most of these places follow similar templates anyway. That’s what makes it a true experience. Otherwise, you’re just mimicking someone else’s moment and perspective.
It was a beautiful experience. The reason I’m writing this is because, years from now, I want this moment to bring a smile to my face when I look back on how far I’ve come.
To me, the meaning of life is experience. You have to live it, and you have to document it — so that memory stays alive in your mind. That’s why I think completely differently than the “I live in the moment, I don’t record anything” crowd. We should write. We should document. We should share.
PS: Stop worrying about what people think. Write, record, and share — for yourself.
