How important is presentation for a restaurant?

There is a phrase which gets tossed around regularly in our world, which is, 'we eat with our eyes first'. Perhaps a better phrase is 'we buy with our eyes first'.  Like the majority of food bloggers in the UAE, I regularly dine out as a guest of a venue, or on behalf of a PR company (a fact I disclose in my reviews). In these instances, I consider it my role to present a menu in a way that is visually appealing, but also critical in nature. In approaching my meals like this, the presentation and plating of a dish play a fundamental component in attracting potential customers. My followers cannot taste what is on the screen, but they can view the best version of a dish and perhaps be drawn in to read more about the plate in my review or make a booking based on what they see. Therefore, it is always in the best interest of the restaurant to put forward not only consistently cohesive and visually appetising dishes but those that deliver in flavour to keep diners returning.
In today's Instagram and social media savvy world, honest views and real engagement matter. In an even busier market like Dubai, with new restaurants opening every week, beautiful food photography and styling grab attention. It's also worth noting that while the red carpet often gets rolled out for myself and other food critics, it's imperative that regular customers receive the same experience - be it from a visual perspective, or the actual composition of a dish.
I will admit, if dining at my leisure, my experience is a bit different. I'm much less invested in how a plate looks and more concerned with the delivery of taste. The venues I recommend and the restaurants that command a repeat visit deliver on a number of levels. As beautiful a dish may be, I won't return if there's no good value; but I would order a well-composed and balanced dish again.
-Courtney Brandt
Is the founder of blog www.atozaatar.com. You can follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @AtoZaatar
It's true that we eat with our eyes first, but what really matters is how the food tastes. Don't get me wrong - I'm certainly guilty of lusting over photos of food, and spend way too much time setting up plates in the right light, and at the perfect angle, trying to get that perfect shot.
In this day and age of instant gratification, we're looking for double taps on Instagram as much as the next person is. Since we launched our blog three years ago, we've seen the world of food presentation evolve. Restaurants now go out of their way to create dishes that are Insta-worthy. However, they must realise that presentation might get people through the doors, but taste and taste alone is what will build a loyal fan following.
Some of my favourite restaurants are those that have consistently served good food over the years, dishes that are etched in my memory for their taste, for the feeling of contentment they evoked at the time. I don't even remember what they looked like! In fact, some of the most memorable dishes around the world are comfort foods. They're usually big portions that don't photograph well or rely on their looks (I'm speaking about you, curry).
Restaurants have picked up their game with plating and, as a huge Masterchef Australia fan, I know that presentation can make or break a dish. It should always be followed through with taste though. Theatre in presentation is fine if it's for a special occasion, if you're looking for that sensory experience at a fine dining restaurant, or you're dining with kids who can be entertained with a freak shake. While presentation is important, I don't think it should take precedence over taste. Case in point are deconstructed classics - has the chef done something to elevate the flavour of the dish?
A few years ago, restaurants had to watch out for food critics but today, anyone with a phone camera is a "reviewer". The best way for restaurants to address this is to focus on taste, taste, taste. And the rest will just fall into place.
-Nancy D'Souza
Is one half of the blogging duo behind www.shesaidshesaid.co. You can follow them on Instagram @shesaidshesaid_dxb