Along with clothes and much else in our modern society, the art of dining has become casualised. While some people do still eat around a table at home and engage in conversation with their family and friends, just as many enjoy their food on the sofa in front of the TV.
Meanwhile, restaurants remain as popular as ever. It’s as though we have collectively decided that elevated dining experiences are great so long as we enjoy them outside of the home. This is likely because people think they will be too tired to put much effort into dinner at home.
Few know that you can capture much of what makes sit-down meals at restaurants delightful with very little effort. With only a few strategic upgrades you can enjoy your food more, digest it better, de-stress and boost your mood. Here are a few ideas to elevate your everyday meals.
Quality tableware
The plates and bowls used to serve the food are some of the most conspicuous features of any dining experience. In fact, they can make or break it. Imagine sitting down at a beautiful candlelit table at a fine restaurant and being served on plastic children’s plates!
Seeing something beautiful can help elevate any experience, so an easy way to upgrade your dining experience at home is by buying a dinner set that pleases your eye. Go for the highest quality you can afford to make sure they are resilient and durable too.
Decorative tablecloth
Something else that requires no extra effort on your part to set up but which can make any meal much nicer is a beautifully patterned tablecloth. This and your tableware can make your dining area much more aesthetically pleasing, and they give you much more control over the theme, mood, and vibe of your meal.
There are different types of table linen fabric to choose from, but all offer the same basic benefits, such as keeping your table clean.
Add candles
Provided that it is safe to do so, many of life’s pleasures can be improved by adding candles. Fine-dining restaurants know this and act on it, but there’s nothing stopping you from doing it either. This can help create that elusive ambience that is often missing from our homes, and research has also shown that their stress-busting and mood-elevating effects are real.
For your table, go for lighter candle scents that will still have a calming effect but won’t interfere much with the smell and taste of your food, such as lavender.
Play music
We might not always notice it, but the background noise of restaurants adds much to the atmosphere. Things like the clinking of glasses and the low murmur of many hushed conversations all happening at once cannot be easily recreated at home. However, that doesn’t mean you need to eat in silence. Music can be an excellent way to enhance your meal too.
It is a lot less distracting than TV, meaning you can still be mindful of the presentation, scent, and flavours of your food. This will help you enjoy it much more.
Summary
Whether you’re eating for health or indulgence, with company or alone, these low-effort ideas will be sure to make your experience a lot more enjoyable.
Lily James