awkward? [Tasting Menu Question]

Is the flow of dinner awkward when not everyone at the dinner table orders either the tasting menu or a la carte? Our family of 5 has dinner reservations on Christmas eve at mk. Mother and I are thinking of the tasting menu, but brothers and father aren't interested and prefer choosing from the menu.

spiffytriphy wrote:Is the flow of dinner awkward when not everyone at the dinner table orders either the tasting menu or a la carte?

Spiffy,

On the rare occasion our table has differed on tasting menu I've found it ever so mildly awkward, not that the restaurant typically has trouble with that aspect of service, more from the fact some were eating/being served new courses at the table while others twiddled their thumbs. It also served, once again in a small way, to interrupt the flow of conversation.

I should point out I am talking in general, I've never had MK's tasting menu. I'd also suggest calling MK and ask if you can split tasting and non tasting meals at the same table, it's not uncommon for a restaurant to require everyone at the table to have the tasting menu

Enjoy,
Gary

Different, but not entirely different, when a group of my co-workers went to Zocalo for lunch, two people ordered sandwiches and the rest of us shared an array of small plates.

The flow was definitely awkward, mostly because the non-small-plates folks waited an extremely long time before they were served any food. We shared, but they were modest, since they had chosen a different route.

In retrospect, the timing was probably aggravated by some unknown factors in the kitchen -- it was a really long time, and the place was empty.

Maybe with family it would be different, but to G Wiv's point that many restaurants don't permit it, I think it's because its awkward for them too.

Here's a classy way a restaurant can handle it -- Barbara and I were at Oceanique in Evanston Tuesday night for our anniversary, and while she was in the mood for the 6-course tasting I only wanted a salad and entree. So with each of her four "extra" courses I was served a small amuse to my surprise and delight. (And satiety, as our original intent was that I would share some of her courses.) Applause for chef Mark Grosz!
>>Brent

spiffytriphy wrote:Is the flow of dinner awkward when not everyone at the dinner table orders either the tasting menu or a la carte? Our family of 5 has dinner reservations on Christmas eve at mk. Mother and I are thinking of the tasting menu, but brothers and father aren't interested and prefer choosing from the menu.

most any restaurant i've been to that has a tasting menu recommends everyone do the same thing... ... i would say it's awkward yes, unless the people who order a la carte are patient and will pace themselves.. if they just order 3 courses though and eat them normally, they'll probably finish much sooner and they'll sit and stare at you...

Yeah, my experience is that a lot of places request that tasting menus be everybody or nobody, and while I respect places that take the approach to mixed tables that Oceanique does, I don't think it's an unreasonable request on the restaurant's part. You should probably check with them ahead of time.

But awkwardness aside, I'm of the opinion that half the fun of a tasting menu is the shared experience, anyway. Provided it's a great restaurant and I can be reasonably certain that everything is going to be delicious, I'm much rather have my second or third choice of menu and share the experience with the table than get the one that appeals to me the most and be the only one eating it.