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Why do fancy restaurants serve such tiny portions? Here's why

Monday, 17/07/2023, 15:18 (GMT+7)

Have you ever wondered why posh restaurants around the world often serve such tiny portions on large plates to their diners?

1. Expensive ingredients are used in the dish.

In high-end restaurants, you'll find dishes that showcase meticulously selected and exquisite ingredients. For instance, Wagyu beef, priced at $200 per pound, and caviar, which can cost around $10,000 per kilogram, are frequently utilized.

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Image Credits: Internet

Imagine incorporating Italian white truffles, which command a hefty price of approximately $7,500 per kilogram, into a fully loaded dish. The price would be extremely high!

Additionally, since these dishes utilize premium ingredients, it can often be expensive to import them.

Understandably, portion sizes need to be smaller to maintain a reasonable overall price for the dish.

2. The smaller portion sizes of the dishes create elegance

The trend of minimalism has also made its way into the culinary world, and high-end restaurants have started embracing the concept of "small and elegant." The idea is that the less food on the plate, the more luxurious and elegant it appears

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3. The third reason is to help diners taste more dishes.

If you dine at restaurants, you will typically be served a 3-course meal — with an appetizer, the main dish, and a dessert. However, in luxury dining, the number of courses may reach up to 12 different dishes!"

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Image Credits: © Choukin / Reddit

These courses encompass an array of delectable offerings, ranging from finger foods and appetizers to soup, salad, fish, a first main course, a palate cleanser, a second main course, cheese, dessert, and finally, a drink or pastry.

Restaurants opt to reduce portion sizes to ensure that patrons have the opportunity to savor a variety of flavors.

4. Restaurants serve such tiny portions to help diners avoid getting bored with their food.

The first few bites will give you the best taste of the food. Human taste buds become less sensitive to a taste after chewing it 4-5 times.

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Image Credits: Internet

Small servings help prevent boredom and allow you to remember the taste for longer. Therefore, chefs prioritize the quality of the dishes over the quantity.

5. Tiny portions create the impression of a high-end dish with exceptional quality.

Items sold in limited editions, such as bags and cars, always excite buyers, creating a sense of greater "luxury" compared to items sold in bulk. The same feeling applies to food and drinks. 

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Image Credits: © Pixabay.com

Experiencing luxury venues and indulging in exquisite cuisine elicits similar emotions, particularly when the dish showcases meticulously selected, small portions of high-quality ingredients.

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Image Credits: © freepik.com,

Restaurants that serve small portions can arouse diners' curiosity, prompting them to wait for the next dish. Many consider this anticipation to be the delightful and artistic part of the meal.