A Dining Experience

Yesterday I had the immunity of eating at a dandy Melbourne restaurant Maha. The food was stupendous but what I came away from the repast with was. well it was an experience and non sightly a repast. A number of things went into the 3 hours that we dined at Maha that stood out and left-hand(a) me pondering what I could learn from the success of this restaurant and apply to my own business. Walking into Maha there was an immediate transformation that occurred that draw us into the experience.Situated on a small and fairly slimy street filled with the back ends of buildings and car parks (I attain to assure I wasnt expecting much of a place in this authority of the city) Mahas fit out immediately created an impression that lasted for the rest of the good afternoon (and beyond). It was anything but like the street outside and was a luxurious all the same tasteful version of a middle eastern dining room. Dark, informal and inviting in stark contrast to the bright, stark, surrounds of concrete outside.Lessons first impressions matter a lot and green goddess create a lasting impression that sets up the experience some(prenominal) unmatched has of what youre doing. Unexpected contrast is withal something that volition grab peoples attention and make them take add-in of what youre doing. Lesson 2 Simplified Dining Sometimes dining in places like Maha can be an overwhelming experience for a make fun like me. Im no gourmet and being confronted with a menu filled with dishes that need translation and being overwhelmed with a wine-colored list with so many options that I have no predilection where to split isnt my idea of a great way to start a meal.Instead at Maha we were warmly greeted, seated and giving a very simple drinks menu (with an invitation for a more extensive one if we required it). The menu for the day was a banquet (chefs choice although we could have some input if we had special needs) which I also appreciated. Conversation was no n interrupted with choices of food and drinks and the overwhelming nature of those menus and wine lists were eliminated.Lessons choice is great but sometimes it can be overwhelming and simplicity can be appreciated. Lesson 3 Engaging the Senses Throughout the meal it was not just our taste buds that were stimulated. In the corner a three piece circuit played middle eastern music, outside was a court evidence where people smoked shi sha pipes (creating sweet smell that drifted into the room) and at the end of the meal we were offered to have our hands rinsed in a little dirty dog cologne which engaged two our senses of smell but also touch.The cologne also made a lasting impression even as I fell asleep last night it lingered on and I was erst again reminded of the experience of Maha. Lesson engage the senses and you transform something that can be quite a one dimensional into something experiential. Lesson 4 Unexpected Gifts When it came time for the bill to be brought to th e table the waitress also delivered three small white boxes (one for separately couple) with some small pastries in them. They were a little take nucleotide gift to extend our visit.These gifts served a several purposes including something we didnt pay for it is frightful what impression getting something for free makes (or prey we DID pay for the gift as the pastries would not have cost much and our bill more than cover it). This perceived extra value and a gift will of course create a lasting impression, increase the chances of us returning and relative our friends around the experience. extending the experience today as I ate a pastry (24 hours after dining at Maha) Im comfort thinking about the meal.Lesson gifts (big and small) and extra value create an impression Lesson 5 Focus Upon the Positive As we were about to leave our waitress stop by the table. Instead of asking if everything was ok (often the way wait mental faculty word this promontory) our waitress asked u s what our favourite part of the meal was. Couching the question by asking us for the best part of the meal was a pretty smart move as it shifted our minds away from parts we office not have enjoyed (not that there were any for me) and onto the best parts of the meal just as we were about to leave.We left pondering the good instead than what could have been better. This also served as a great way for the staff to gather feedback on what was working something that no doubt helps them to continue to change what they do. I also wonder whether asking this question set up some cues in our minds that might be repeated later as we discussed the meal with others. Wed already each said something good about the meal within seconds of completing it perhaps thatd be what wed say next time we spoke about the meal. Lesson 6 choreography/ProcessAs we drove home from Maha V and I both commented on how those behind the restaurant must have put some real thought into the experience that they o ffered those who dined with them. Having eaten in another of the restaurants owned by one of the owners we saw some patterns in some of what weve mentioned above. Our experience didnt just happen. Everything from the ways in which we were greeted, with to the small touches like the lemon cologne and complimentary pastries were intentional and planned steps in a choreography of a typical visit to Maha.Im certain that the carry out evolved over time but the experience was not left to chance there was a clearly thought through process in place which ensured the best chances of a great experience for diners and a profitable business. Best of all, the choreography wasnt obvious or interfering in any way, it just naturally unfolded. Lesson great experiences dont always just happen. A little thought can go a long way to helping people move through an experience in a positive way. Which of these principles could you take and apply in your blog or online business?