The tradition of treating restaurant visitors with a compliment from the chef came to Russia relatively recently. And not everyone knows exactly in what cases it is possible to get it, and what needs to be done for this.
What is it eaten with?
The idea of treating customers with something tasty while waiting for their order was born in Europe about half a century ago. A compliment from a chef is almost a must-have in luxury restaurants these days. True, in Russia its introduction is more variable. Often, a compliment is introduced only at the request of the restaurant owner. At the same time, simpler establishments often take the idea of a compliment into service. After all, this way you can express respect for visitors, give your cafe a higher status in the eyes of customers.
Most often, a compliment is a small portion of a signature dish, a new menu item, or something that will emphasize the taste of the ordered food. This can be a slice of cheese for wine, nuts for a beer, a mini cake for coffee, or a tiny cup of soup. In the latter case, the administration often draws the attention of customers to unusual or unpopular menu items. Another option is to whet the guest's appetite with a compliment. Then a portion of the aperitif serves as a message from the chef.
A million reasons
You can often get a compliment from the chef by ordering a dish that is difficult to prepare. Then the visitor will inevitably have to wait a long time for food to appear on the table, and the waiter will delight him with a free snack. This allows you to keep the attention of the guest and not let him get bored while waiting for the order. Especially if the chef has the skill to cook something special and impressive in minutes. Also, the administration of a good restaurant will almost certainly honor the client if he ordered something expensive.
Often, restaurants and cafes have compliment options for visitors with children. So that adults can begin to relax, their offspring are served juice or fruit with a cute decoration or toy. However, the portions will also be tiny - otherwise the child will eat up ahead of time.
Even economy-class cafes often introduce a compliment into the assortment when ordering a banquet from them - an anniversary, a wedding, a New Year's corporate party. In these cases, the compliment will most likely not be a signature dish, but a bottle of wine or a fruit basket.
Sometimes a compliment can be received simply by coming to dinner on a special date - the establishment's day of birth, March 8, Valentine's Day, etc.
Delicious "sorry"
Finally, a compliment from the chef can be served at the end of the meal. First, if the institution has such a tradition. For example, a guest along with the bill may be brought a tiny portion of weak liqueur, handmade candy, etc. In the same way, the administration can express gratitude to the visitor for an expensive order. Even chain cafes are increasingly introducing quite symbolic compliments - a chocolate bar or chewing gum with a logo.
Second, a compliment is often a way to apologize for any inconvenience to a guest. They can be both the sluggishness of the waiters and a poor-quality dish.
