Over the last decade, dining has changed. As consumers,
we've traded in haughty waiters and stuffy venues for a
more approachable (and casual) experience, one where the
sophistication of taste and top-tier ingredients trumps all other
matters of refinement. We're more educated about where our
food comes from, more mindful of our dietary restrictions, and
the restaurant industry has picked up on this trend.
But in the words of Brooks Hatlen, it "went and got itself
into a big damn hurry." is especially goes for the fine dining
segment. ink back 20, even 10 years ago to your favorite high-
end restaurants: starched tablecloths, wall-to-wall carpeting,
certain flavor profiles were considered taboo and so on. While
we're happy for some of these departures, the shi towards the
likes of street-inspired food and loud, laidback atmospheres
don't lend themselves particularly well to special occasions.
What I mean is dining used to mean something. Today,
even a quiet night out seems near impossible at the top-tier
eateries. While these are places we know and love, we have to
admit that between those Instagramable dishes, otherworldly
embellishments and big crowds, anniversary toasts and hymns
of "Happy Birthday" oen get swallowed by the evening's
action. ere are some restaurants, however, that still capture
the importance of dining as an experience while keeping the
modern consumer in mind.
REFINED
DINING
At Restaurant Nicholas
B Y M I C H A E L S C I V O L I
V U E N J . C O M
108
DINING
