"Michael Nielsen" > wrote in message
...
>
> you are currently located) trying to stir up a hornet's nest, claiming
>
> "it's not done this way in Denmark" and
I actually said it happens in DK but there I can sense the vibe of the place
if it is that type. While the whole issue I posted with was how to convert
that sense to american ground, where I dont know the names and attributions
of the places, and the vibe of it as being a slowfood restaurant or being
highly overpriced is not a reliable indicator, as the practice seem to be
growing and pushing family owned "homemade" restaurants out of existence.
---
If you're talking about the US, there is a vast array of variations as to
what you'll find, depending on what part of the country you are in. And
even whether you are in the city, a suburb or a rural area.
You are more likely to find a reasonably priced family type place in a rural
area. They may or may not make homemade foods but they likely would still
serve frozen fries. And pre-made ice cream.
Some of these places may still exsist in the suburbs but by and large, the
chain places are taking over. And if you are traveling along a highway or
freeway, then you'll mainly see chain places and fast food. Go to any area
where there is a shopping mall and you'll pretty much only see chain places.
I can't speak for the South as I haven't been there since I was a kid.
But on Cape Cod, the predominate food is pub fare. These places often are
not open year round. They close for the winter. You'll get things like
burgers, nachos (not properly made), chicken wings, fish and chips. Lots of
fried food. Maybe some sandwiches and pizza. You'll also find some raw
bars that sell raw oysters. Lots of seafood places. You will find some
Italian, Mexican and other ethnic places. You will find some taverns that
might serve from scratch food. One that I know of used to be good but I
hear that it isn't now. You'll also find some tea rooms and fine dining
places.
On Staten Island, you'll find mostly Italian food and diners. New Jersey
also has a lot of diners. They're usually owned by Greeks so you will see
some Greek food on the menu and the menu will read like a book. The food
may or may not be good and it may or may not be from scratch.
Here in Washington the trend at some places is seasonal, organic and smaller
portions. But only at some places. I am in the suburbs and more and more
we are being flooded with mediocore chain places and Indian and Thai food.
We also have some Chinese places that mostly sell Americanized stuff and a
lot of Mexican places and taquerias which may or may not be authentic or
even good. Seems more and more at least in this area, people are more than
willing to happily accept mediocore food. There is a wonderful Greek place
that cooks from scratch. They are reasonable for lunch but IMO far too high
priced for dinner. Also a Tappas bar that is said to have good food but is
also too high priced for me to want to go there. Of course we have some
seafood and steak places which may or may not be chains. And lots of small
places that may have just one location or several. There is even a place in
Woodinville that serves only turkey. Reviews are wildly mixed on that one.
And places that serve only breakfast and lunch.
But in the bigger cities? That is where you'll find the fancy places. They
may be overpriced. They may have no choice on that because they are likely
paying high rent. They may or may not have good food. They may be a hole
in the wall. They may be in a hotel. But in general that is where the
fancy places will be.
Used to be a place in Mukeltio called the Waltine Diner. It was a very fancy
place. You had to dress up to go there and you had to make reservations.
There were two small dining rooms and they were set in a house of
mansion-like proportions. It was all very elegant. The woman who owned it
cooked a family style dinner for you. There may have been other options but
that is what my family got. I presume that my dad chose the food ahead of
time. I don't think there was a set in stone menu. I think she would make
whatever you wanted but in our case, we all ate the same things. Her son
played the piano while we ate and at the end of our meal, he made us an
Origami swan. It was an experience I will never forget. Although my cat
found my little hot pink swan and I no longer have it.
I would imagine there aren't many places like that around any more. We do
have the Herbfarm in Woodinville. This sounds like it would be right up
your alley although expensive.
http://www.theherbfarm.com/
I haven't eaten there because likely whatever they are serving is not what I
would/could eat and I can't drink wine. But otherwise I would certainly
like to go there because it sounds like a wonderful experience.