Why Reddit Thinks Some Trendy Restaurants Have Gone Too Far
You may have seen the common criticisms of the average "trendy restaurant". The food is too overpriced or just not that good, the atmosphere is too pretentious, and so on. That's all fine — everyone is entitled to their own opinion and personal preferences, and no one is here to bash those hard-working people.
For a somewhat more expensive price, you do tend to get what you pay for though, as restaurants that try to be trendy and hip often have a skilled chef or plenty of gourmet food to justify the cost. For example, Charlie Bird in New York City offers a 25-page wine menu, with the most expensive wines going for as much as $2,235 a bottle! It's a common case of "bang for your buck", and the more money you're willing to pay, the better your food will be, right?
According to some patrons on Reddit, trendy restaurants sometimes get a bit too "experimental" and "artsy," a choice that can lead to getting served food in rather unorthodox ways.
Redditors peeved by over-the-top plating.
"$27 for way overcooked carna asada that came on LITERAL masonry bricks." grieved Reddit u/liagnis on r/WeWantPlates. "Not pictured is a floor tile. I saw another table get served shrimp hanging from a skewer".
r/WeWantPlates is a subreddit dedicated to the discussion — and criticism — of food and drinks served via materials that aren't the usual plate and cup. To quote the group, they "[crusade] against serving food on bits of wood and roof tiles, chips in mugs and drinks in jam jars." Examples of such unorthodox culinary fare include burgers and fries served on a shovel, appetizers served on connectable hexagonal plates, and macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, pulled pork, and beans in a plastic cup.
"That looks far too porous to be serving food from" said u/tashibum. "How do they do the washing up at these places?" questioned u/tendrilly.
Other responses to the plate, and the food, were a bit more accepting. "Just because they are bricks doesn't mean they are meant for building with. Those bricks are definitely made to hold food." said u/Jimreale. "$27? That's easily a $50 plate where I am (if it were available where I am), quit yer whinin." wrote u/snarpy "Looks great to me."
While you may argue that these Redditors are just being petty towards innovation, it is not unreasonable to say that presentation is the first critical part to a good meal (via Escoffier).