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I rarely go to restaurants. After dining out I am always thinking of what I could have done at home for the same cost, or how something could have been done much better. I recognize that dining out is a social experience and there is no cleaning up required. Running a successful restaurant is incredibly difficult. On top of the cost of ingredients, you are paying salaries, insurance, utilities etc. It would be interesting if the check came out with all of the costs of the meal printed out. The reality of running a food business smacks the inspired chef in the face. Many things that would be great to do simply can't be done. However you can do it at home. For example, the classic Caprese salad. I never order it. Typically it consists of some rubbery mozzarella, under-ripe tomatoes, basil and some cheap gallon-jug olive oil. At home I can make fresh mozzarella, and serve it, still warm, with heirloom tomatoes and great olive oil. What restaurants can do is access difficult to source product, like toro (fatty tuna), aged steak, fresh fish and they can things that are really time consuming or need to be made ahead of time, like stocks or pickled items. They can also bring interesting ideas and presentations.

What I am looking for is a restaurant that serves things that I don't or can't do at home. I also want wait staff that is committed to what they are doing and has a knowledge of what the restaurant is serving. So many restaurants go to great lengths to create an atmosphere and interesting food only to have the server drop a gigantic stink bomb on the whole thing.

If you have a favorite restaurant that is worth trying post it.