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Dive Into Bayou City Dining
Kitchen Table is the signature and much-acclaimed Chef’s Table experience at Brennan’s of Houston. As the name suggests, it sits in the kitchen in a partially glassed-off area to lessen inevitable kitchen noise without hampering the views. At Brennan’s, the table is offered every dining period for one party (of 4–12 people) except Sunday brunch or holidays, so plan far in advance as availability is limited. The experience includes a degustation, or sampling of a variety of foods, chosen by the chef in five or seven courses. Prices differ between lunch and dinner with optional wine pairings for extra.

Tucked away in a cozy corner of Damian’s Cucina Italiana is its Chef’s Table, a private dining room that gives diners a sideline seat to the restaurant’s bustling kitchen. Diners can mix and mingle with the chef and line cooks and get a sneak peek behind “the line” to watch the skilled chefs in action. Chef Napoleon Palacios is the host to a couple for a romantic dinner or up to eight guests for a special culinary experience.

Located in the kitchen of Le Mistral, the Chef’s Table offers a unique dining experience with Chef David Denis’ full attention on your group of up to 10 guests for the evening. The chef customizes a special menu of five courses that cater to your group’s individual preferences, and the in-house sommelier, Sylvain Denis, can recommend wines from around the world to complement the meal. Pricing on the menu depends on the food selections and excludes drinks.

Philippe Restaurant and Lounge offers Texas adaptations of French classics, and diners have the option of reserving the private Chef’s Table Room, which is ideal for small business dinners or special celebrations for 10–16 guests. In addition to the intimacy of the setting, diners enjoy one of Chef Philippe Schmit’s exclusive specialty menus with items not available in the main dining area.

Quattro, the elegant Italian restaurant in the Four Seasons in Downtown Houston, offers guests a Chef’s Table experience in a private dining area called La Cucina, meaning “the kitchen” in Italian. This private area features a glass wall with views of the kitchen, making it perfect for interacting with the chef, who personally will explain the various dishes during the meal. La Cucina accommodates 10–16 guests in a perfect setting for interactive team building and other private occasions.

So if you’re looking for a way to truly impress a small group for a special event or high-profile business dinner, consider one of these exclusive and indulgent Chef’s Table experiences in some of the finest restaurants in Houston.

essentials of business dinning etiquette

What used to be common sense and practice when it comes to business dining etiquette largely has gone by the wayside in today’s more casual society. It’s not that people don’t care; it is that many young business professionals simply do not know what is expected of them in these situations. Times have changed, but it remains true that everything said and done at a meeting, even a lunch or dinner meeting, reflects upon the credibility and professionalism of you and your business. Following are tried-and-true guidelines on what to do or not to do at a dining meeting to make the best impression possible.

Meeting Preparation
You can never prepare too much for any business encounter. Don’t assume everything will go well since it’s at a public place you have little control over. When you make the initial invitation, make sure each guest knows its purpose. Is it an executive meeting? Strategic planning? Team building? Networking? The more your guests know, the more comfortable they will feel. Before guests arrive, think of an opening statement of welcome and always use guests’ names to show you are focused on them. If you have arranged a set menu for a group, make sure the restaurant has a vegetarian option available so as not to alienate anyone.

Arrival Etiquette
As in anything, a good first impression sets the tone for the entire meeting. Most importantly, be on time whether you are the host or a guest. Making others wait for you gives the impression that you do not value them or their time. As a host, even consider being quite a bit early so you can make sure the table and menus are set, introduce yourself to the maître d’ and waiters and request to be given the bill at the end of the meal to avoid awkwardness later on. To really impress, meet and greet your guests at the door as they arrive or have the maître d’ show them to the table where you will be waiting. Do not order anything to eat or drink while waiting for the guests.

Dining Etiquette
In general, there are dining behaviors everyone should follow, such as turning off your cell phone and offering a firm handshake with eye contact while standing. Women, times have changed—whereas it used to be the rule that you could sit to shake a man’s offered hand, if you are the business professional, you should stand to shake anyone’s hand. However, spouses of either gender accompanying the business professional may shake hands while seated.

Now the mechanics of dining come into play. As soon as you sit, place your napkin in your lap unless it is in the water goblet, which generally signifies the waiter will put it in your lap for you. Elaborate place settings are seen at the finest restaurants and can be confusing to one not familiar with them. As a rule, bread and salad plates are on the left, drinking glasses are on the right. As for the silverware, start from the outside and work your way in as you progress through the courses. If excusing yourself during the meal, place your napkin to the left of your plate to indicate you are not finished and to the right if you are done eating.

   
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