We go out to eat often. Over time we have migrated away from chain restaurants and frequent more one of a kind and mom & pops establishments. A few observations –

Even if the food and service is good, the prices excellent, tne atmophere can sometimes be a deal breaker.  One such place we visit often. The problem is dirty windows. If they seat us next to a window I ask to be moved or draw the blinds. Eating a meal gazing out a filthy window at food spatters and dirt can depress the appetite quite a bit. How much effort would it take to hire a professional a couple times a year to clean those windows?

Decor. I know this is not a big deal for some, but tacky decor to me speaks of neglect. One place in Maine where we go ooccasionally ticks most of the boxes, but the decor is a nigntmare. Tnere are Christmas trees left up all year coupled witn tacky spring flowers , and a few odd other things thrown in the mix. It never changes. This says to me “we can’t be bothered, or we don’t care.” Again, it would not take a lot of effort to keep things fresh. And take down the Christmas decorations before Easter!

Flies. If I see. A fly buzzing around as soon as I sit down, the meal is already half gone for me. Not sure what to do about this one, except be aware and try to keep the flies out of the dining room, and even more importantly, the kitchen.

Tired surroundings. One place we go occasionally has good food, but tne surroundings are exhausting. The pictures on the walls are so faded they are literally the same color as tne walls. Paint people! A fresh coat of paint and some new pictures would do so much for so little effort!

On tne flip side of this, sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. I went for the first time last night to Thai Bamboo, half expecting to find a hole in the wall and not sure how tne food would be either. Turned out the food and service were excellent. The windows were clean. And no flies.