Just being picky, but are we eating the food or the decor. I would agree that ambiance may enhance the experience, but first and foremost for me is the food.

When will writers learn that one goes to good restaurants to appreciate the food and wine, not the blaring, distracting interior design. Most restaurant decor is terribly wasteful. Put the money into hiring a truly talented chef and a good wine cellar and let them speak for themselves.

I personally do feel that an interior space does play a role in the experience....who wants to enjoy with that special someone under lighting that is similar to a costco warehouse?

By reading the contents of the two posts below, it's almost as if the decor is a necessary evil. For me, the food, the service, and the ambiance all work together to create a memorable experience. After all, eating out is a social experience as much as a gastronomical one, so all the senses are important to me.

I agree that food is first. The only thing that I can have against modern restaurants is the noise level. If there isn't much softness for sound to bounce off then it can get pretty bad.

As a woman of ample portions I find a lot of the new modern decor very unconfortable. I don't want to be perched up high on a chair (as I've seen at Veil, Serious Pie and Harvest Vine) or worrying I'll be tipping over backwards while I enjoy my dinner.

I have eaten at Qube and agree with Scott (not as strongly). The food & interior works cohesively - modern and innovative Asian cuisine. I think both the food & services were excellent and had no problem with the portion...so I think people are a bit harsh these days to be too quick to judge on appearance.

Decor does set a mood, and your mood can affect your enjoyment of the food. If you're stressed out because you are perched on an uncomfortable stool, then you aren't likely to enjoy the food and the restaurant has not done its best to give you the experience you are paying for. (I guess I have to say here that I believe that going out to eat is for me an experience, not just a meal. Life is too short to not feed all of my senses as much as I can.)

But edgy or trendy doesn't automatically translate into uncomfortable. I'm just as happy being intrigued and challenged to think about my surroundings as I am walking into a place that feels like my favorite bathrobe.

Well, one restaurant Scott cites as having been unfairly slammed, decor-wise, is an interesting study in the comfort/discomfort dimension of modern design. Boom is a terrific open space, nicely lit, nicely arranged into zones, and family friendly. The seating at the long communal tables is a fantastically comfortable Eames plywood chair -- ample, lightweight, supportive, attractive, the works. Along the perimeter of the space, however, is the Harry Bertoia metal grid chair. This thing is like sitting on a barbecue grill and leaves a waffle pattern on your thighs that takes an hour to wear off: Bertoia was forced to provide optional cushions after it went into production, an option Boom elected not to take. So, in the same space, the best and the worst in mid-century modern design.

I also agree with Kate that in general not enough attention is given to sound levels in restaurants. When I'm out with my sweet-patooty I want to hear what he has to say, and not go home hoarse from shouting.

I think most would agree that decore and food should play off each other. A Modern take on design should enhance the comtemporary style of cuisine of a restaurant's overall concept. Qube is a great case study in that respect. The presentation and the flavors of the food are both elegant.

AIA (American Institute of Architects) has honored Qube's interior design:
http://honorawards.aiaseattle.org/qube-restaurant.html

First, Nancy I love this blog. I am only sorry that I can't keep up with the frequent posts (one has to work ;-))

This is an interesting topic. Sure, sure, we all go to restaurants for the food. But the environment, furnishings, and overall feel of the place definitely is important to my enjoyment, and I would say to the enjoyment of others as well. I am all for innovative designs as long as it doesn't impact comfort. But I recognize that innovative and comfort are subjective things and mean different things to different people.

However, one thing that always is a downer is when Ienter a restaurant and the first thing I notice is the drab furnishings or a place in need of updating.