My Food Was Called "Restaurant Quality" Last Night - Compliment or Not?

[matcom]

:rofl:

so, we had friends over for dinner last night. Not the first time mind you but last night I served:

Thick center-cut pork chops stuffed with Sopressata/Fontina/Sage (pan-seared in olive oil and wine, then baked)
Sauteed, seasoned red potatoes with Parmigiano Reggiano
Iceberg wedges with a gorgonzola/buttermilk dressing.

yeah, it was great and our guests loved the meal. as they were leaving the woman thanked us again and told me my food was so good it was "restaurant quality".

that got me thinking. is that REALLY a compliment or isn't "restaurant quality" usually "almost" as good as home-made. :D

i know i know. i just found it funny this morning

[billyskank]

1. I think they probably meant it to be complimentary

but it *does* depend on the restaurant. :hi:

[matcom]

4. my cooking is as good as SIZZLER!

:rofl:

[laheina]

19. True Billy.

Matcom should have asked "How many stars." ;)

[NewJeffCT]

2. depends on the restaurant

If they meant McDonald's or your local take-out Chinese place, then no, it is not a compliment.

But, I think it was likely meant as a compliment. She probably meant that it like a restaurant that has a trained chef.

[Sugar Smack]

3. I think it was a compliment.

"Restaurant quality" means that not only was it delicious, it was well presented. You know, pretty. :D

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. I once saw a website for a quartet of "world class musicians"

and all I could think was that someone had to put the "ass" in "class".

But I'm sure your cooking is much better than them. And it probably beats most restaurants too...

[NMDemDist2]

6. I think it's a compliment, especially if it looked as good as it tasted

my experience is that presentation can be the deciding factor

sounds wonderful !!

[GOPisEvil]

7. If the restaurant she had in mind was Denny's...

...I'd think twice about inviting them again. :P

Damn your dinner just SOUNDS good. :9

[matcom]

8. it was good

i've made it before. it's great for a dinner party because 90% of it can be prepped ahead of time. the chops take about 20 minutes and you can saute the potatoes while the pork is cooking.

made the dressing yesterday morning (THAT is a new recipe)

[GOPisEvil]

10. Dinner party?

That sounds like something adults do. :D

Ya know...we have a new Italian market that just opened here. I think I'll check out their selection meats and cheeses... :think:

[Thtwudbeme]

9. She probably meant "Waffle House," which is the highest compliment

one can pay to the chef.

Kudos Matcom!

[yvr girl]

11. I think she meant it was like something a chef would prepare

It sounds wonderfu. You never invite me for dinner. :cry:

[matcom]

12. i have too

just that YOU would be MY main course! :D

[yvr girl]

13. Do you use as much care and attention

in THAT as you do in cooking a fine meal?

[matcom]

14. what can i say

i love devouring a good 'meal' :P

[yvr girl]

15. Sounds tempting

Can you cook me something first? None of you are good for anything after.

[matcom]

17. no.

YOU go get me a turkey pot pie AFTERWARDS!

i'm such a romantic

[yvr girl]

18. I don't know

I have all these men from Nigeria on MySpace professing their undying love for me. I have options you know...

[yvr girl]

20. How about this instead.

Tuna tartare
with saffron arrancini and asian vinaigrette

Lobster carpaccio
with olive oil sorbet, beet caramel and balsamic vinegar jelly

Foie gras brulee
with frisee salad and trockenbeerenauslese vinaigrette

Seared Alaskan scallop
with fork-mashed sunchoke, boar bacon and shellfish bisque

Oxtail presse and consomme
with water chestnut, daikon sprout and horseradish oil

Braised veal cheek
with asparagus risotto and warm truffle foam

A selection of domestic & imported cheese ($10 Supplement)
with fruit & nut bread

Lemon custard
with blackberry compote and lemon foam

Spiced hot chocolate soup
with chocolate marshmallow and sour cherry almond biscotti

Pink lady apple strudel
with pine nut frangipan, maple ice cream and brown butter gastrique

Mignardises

[matcom]

21. i don't like trockenbeerenauslese

so that menu is out

[yvr girl]

22. Is this better

Foie gras parfait
with a citrus & paradise pepper salad and orange blossom brioche

Roasted squab breast
with confit squab leg crispy polenta

Braised veal cheeks
with herb farfalle pasta, salsify puree and king oyster mushrooms

Sous-vide double lamb chop
with white & green asparagus spears, sauteed fingerling potatoes and lamb tongue

A selection of domestic and imported cheese ($10 Supplement)
with fruit and nut bread

Pimm’s cup jelly
with cucumber, blood orange and strawberry jus

Chocolate fondant
with pink praline ice cream, berry compote and cocoa nib nougatine

Mignardises

[matcom]

23. i have killed for squab breast before

:D

[yvr girl]

24. Or if you're more into seafood...

Hamachi tunu and crab salad
with shrimp, watercress, crushed peanuts and nuc-cham dressing

Pan-seared Alaskan scallop
with butternut squash ravioli and sage brown butter sauce

Sous-vide wild salmon
with sauteed root vegetables and preserved lemon foam

Halibut casserole
braised with mediterranean spices, coconut froth and kaffir leaf broth

A selection of domestic and imported cheese ($10 Supplement)
with fruit and nut bread

Lychee & rosewater sorbet
with citrus segment salad and blood orange soup

Pavlova
with passionfruit cream, orange chiboust and tropical exotic fruit

Mignardises

[terrya]

16. It was a compliment

Obviously, you didn't prepare fare that would be served at Denny's or IHOP. You prepared an excellent unique dinner. The "restaurant quality" comment meant that it was comparable to a fine restaurant.

So, kudos! :thumbsup:

[riona]

25. Unless you plopped all the ingredients on the table

still in the grocery bag, I'd say you rec'd a great compliment.

[Elidor]

26. Depends on whether she meant Benihana...

Or Taco Bell.

x(

Actually, the way this compliment is supposed to go is something along the lines of, you can't get food this good at a restaurant. It does sound like a very yummy meal.

[Brigid]

27. A great dinner like that . . .

and you didn't invite me? I'm crushed. :D

Seriously, I'm sure she meant it as a compliment.