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Series 2 restaurateurs

  • Michele and Russell
  • James and Alasdair
  • Annette and Kashelle
  • Chris and Caroline
  • Harriet and Mike
  • Helen and Stephen
  • Laura and Peter
  • Tim and Lindsie
  • Scott and Richard

UK's Ideal Restaurant

Survey

During series 2 of The Restaurant we invited you to express your views on what would make Britain's Perfect Restaurant and you responded in your thousands.

Over 7,500 took part and here are the results. In some areas your feelings were pretty unanimous (theme restaurants, no thanks) but in others you split quite evenly. Many thanks to every one who took part. The results make fascinating reading.

What is your ideal restaurant's decor?

Interior of restaurant

  • Sparse, contemporary
    • ........9%
  • Warm and inviting
    • .......87%
  • Bright and bold
    • .......4%

What is the ideal atmosphere?

Diners in restaurant

  • Relaxed
    • ........76%
  • Busy and exciting
    • .......17%
  • Formal fine dining
    • .......7%

How do you like your service?

Waiter serving at table

  • Friendly but quiet
    • .......57%
  • Measured and polite
    • .......28%
  • Chatty and laid back
    • .......15%

How do you want your waiter to be dressed?

Waiter formally dressed

  • Smart casual
    • .......82%
  • Evening wear (tie and jacket for men)
    • ...16%
  • Jeans and t-shirt
    • .......2%

The ideal table covering?

White linen table cloth

  • White linen table cloths
    • .......82%
  • Checked plastic cloth
    • .......1%
  • Wooden placemats
    • .......17%

And the tables themselves?

Restaurant with chairs on tables
  • All matching
    • .......32%
  • A mixture of shapes and sizes but all made from the same material
    • .......54%
  • A mixture of materials, shapes and sizes
    • .....14%

Table furniture. Would you want...?

Candle and flowers on restaurant table
  • Candles
    • .......32%
  • Flowers
    • .......14%
  • Neither
    • .......16%
  • Both
    • .......36%

Menu. How would you like your menu presented?

Menu

  • On a chalkboard
    • .......7%
  • On two sides of A4
    • .......30%
  • Booklet, with a separate wine list
    • .....63%

Would you expect your menu to include...?

Customer looking at menu
  • A Chef's Special
    • .......18%
  • A Plate of the Day
    • .......6%
  • Comprehensive vegetarian options
    • ....10%
  • All of these
    • .......61%
  • None of these
    • .......5%

What's your ideal restaurant location?

View of River Thames
  • Town centre, easy to get to
    • .......28%
  • Somewhere (town or country) with a fabulous view
    • .......57%
  • Rural with plenty of space
    • .......15%

Would you like your restaurant to be themed?

Japanese theme night at restaurant
  • Rock and roll
    • .......1%
  • Sports
    • .......0.5%
  • No thanks
    • .......98.5%

What would be your ideal size of restaurant?

Medium sized restaurant

  • Small, intimate: up to 20 covers
    • .......12%
  • Medium sized: 20-40 covers
    • .......82%
  • Large: 40 plus covers
    • .......6%

How many courses will you want to eat?

Various main courses on display
  • One
    • .......1%
  • Two
    • .......32%
  • Three
    • .......60%
  • Four or more
    • .......7%

What type of food would you most enjoy?

Dish with meat and two veg
  • British
    • .......41%
  • Chinese
    • .......3%
  • French
    • .......22%
  • Indian
    • .......4%
  • Italian
    • .......20%
  • Thai
    • .......5%
  • AN Other
    • .......7%

Smoking. Would it be important for you to have a sheltered area outside to smoke?

Chefs' smoking

  • Yes
    • .......18%
  • No
    • .......82%

Licensing. Which of these options most appeals to you?

Wine bottles on display
  • Bring your own
    • .......12%
  • A comprehensive wine list, including low alcohol choices
    • .......77%
  • Excellent cocktails
    • .......11%

Water. Are you more likely to ask for...?

Bottled water

  • Bottled water
    • .......41%
  • Tap water
    • .......59%

Pricing. What would you be willing to pay for your main course?

Bills at restaurant till

  • £5-10
    • .......11%
  • £10-20
    • .......78%
  • Over £20
    • .......11%

Children. How important would it be for your restaurant to be child friendly?

Advertisement for kids in motor service takeaway
  • Must be child friendly with high chairs, a play area outside and a children's menu
    • .......19%
  • Prefer it not to have children at all
    • .......40%
  • A children's area away from the main restaurant area
    • .......41%

Music. Would you want....?

Elevator at airport

  • Elevator music, in the background
    • .......65%
  • Loud and rocking
    • .......2%
  • No music at all
    • .......33%

The Menu

Raymond Blanc

A recipe for success

Raymond pan fries a tasty steak.

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