Music To Chew By

Just wondering what people listen to during meals (if anything).

Lately I have been listening to the Napster playlist collection of classical guitar music. It's quite digestion-friendly.

I also like to listen to Frank Sinatra (specifically Summer Wind) and his rat-pack when dining on Italian creations from my kitchen.

And I have to admit, anytime I hear Mariachi music, I don't care where or when, I want Mexican food. I just WANT it.

I find music can round out the sensory experience & heighten it, actually.

Anyone else feel this way?

Is there another post on this?

es tut mir leid...if so...

I've been pondering your question off n on the past few days(serendipidity!) and have realized that I don't listen to music while dining. I think it's a distraction. I listen to music to *listen to music*.

It's all well n good to have some anonymous, perfumed Chinese fingerplucking wafting amongst the multicolored lanterns at my favorite Hunan nook in downstate Illinois, but my passion for food and my enthusiasm for good music typically-collide like a poorly-emulsified whatever...

There is of course "furniture music"

so...maybe ambient Eno's(to start with) a serious choice(no Wyndham Hill wannabes, please...urf... ...talk about an aural emetic...)

but, no...I can't do both(eat and listen) at the same time...it seems one or t'other receives short shrift

now...listening whilst cooking is another pleasure(and catalyst), entirely

I think I know what you mean. I guess I didn't mean actively listening so much, more like passive listening. Not sure how to explain it...kind of like I don't want to listen to anything jarring while I eat but I do like to hear something soothing.

So, since you do not like to listen while eating (I also listen while cooking - whole other thing) does music distract you from your meal if you hear it, then?

EDIT: So when you are at a place that features live music, is that a hinderance or an enhancement? Just wondering.

My oldest daughter and I stopped by Connoisseur a few weeks ago and were amused to drink good wine while listening to "Insane in the Membrane" (Cypress Hill) and "Put Your Ass into It" (Ice Cube). I believe these tunes were chosen to create cognitive dissonance.

Liz in Norwood Park wrote:I think I know what you mean. I guess I didn't mean actively listening so much, more like passive listening. Not sure how to explain it...kind of like I don't want to listen to anything jarring while I eat but I do like to hear something soothing.

So, since you do not like to listen while eating (I also listen while cooking - whole other thing) does music distract you from your meal if you hear it, then?

EDIT: So when you are at a place that features live music, is that a hinderance or an enhancement? Just wondering.

I do find live music a distraction; if only 'cuz I want to give my full attention to the groop and, it's been my experience, that "real" band performances in restos overwhelm the food...you know---wings with "blues"...you remember the music, maybe, but not the food.

Liz in Norwood Park wrote:Just wondering what people listen to during meals (if anything).

Lately I have been listening to the Napster playlist collection of classical guitar music. It's quite digestion-friendly.

I also like to listen to Frank Sinatra (specifically Summer Wind) and his rat-pack when dining on Italian creations from my kitchen.

And I have to admit, anytime I hear Mariachi music, I don't care where or when, I want Mexican food. I just WANT it.

I find music can round out the sensory experience & heighten it, actually.

Anyone else feel this way?

I like to put on the soundtrack from Godfather II when dining Italian. The other day we had Caribbean Braised Pork and listened to the best of Harry Belafonte while eating. I kept wanting to jump up and do the calypso.

EDIT: So when you are at a place that features live music, is that a hinderance or an enhancement? Just wondering.

I don't know about y'all, but when I see a place on Check Please that has a live act wailing away (especially in a small room with brick walls), I know exactly where I'm not going to go. That proximity to that decibel level = me staying the hell away.

I know, I know, "if it's too loud you're too old" and all that jazz, but please: keep it at conversation level. If I want to assault my eardrums, I'll go see Slayer next time they're in town.

I listen to almost anything, but imsscott's idea of putting on the Godfather soundtrack while eating Italian is a neat idea. And whiskeybent: Hear Hear. Don't go to Coobah! But in that same vein, Uncommon Ground is nice for a relaxing nibble and some acoustic tunes.

Music to bake/cook to: Bo Diddly if you're not in a hurry, Sons & Daughters, upbeat belly dance music/drum solos (makes Shake 'n' Bake a jolly fun time), Barenaked Ladies, Guided by Voices, and Andrew WK. I like to rock out in the kitchen.

Belly dance music can also be a nice mood-setter (Valentine's Day's coming up, folks!)