Experiences of a different kind

Modern Technology

The days of a waiter rattling off the entire menu of a restaurant and taking orders without writing anything down seem to be numbered.

In fact, the charm of sitting in old eateries is something most Bangaloreans miss. Most of the new restaurants are going the digital way. From the menus, LCD monitors projecting the specials to waiters taking orders on a touch pad, there’s new technology in most of these dine-ins. No doubt both the modern and traditional variety have their own advantages and disadvantages. But most foodies in the City tell Metrolife that while these new-fangled restaurants present a fun experience, real satisfaction is derived from the traditional ones.

Ramesh, an entrepreneur, says that he still enjoys the ambience and service at Vidyarthi Bhavan in Basavanagudi. “The old MTR at Lalbagh Road even has a waiting room in case there’s no place — something that new restaurants lack,” he adds.

Many restaurants have started using touch-screen technology because it saves times and ensures that orders are accurately placed. Ananthraju, a waiter at a popular fast food chain, uses the touch screen to place orders. “Initially, it took a while to adapt to the new system. But then I got so used to it that I find it far better than taking down the order in a notebook. Writing down the order or trying to remember it can be difficult and we do have a tendency to forget,” he adds.

Arundhati, a professional, says that these new-age restaurants offer a novel experience. “I went to this restaurant in Indiranagar, which allowed the customers to place their orders by using the touch-screen system on the table itself. The order would get registered at the counter directly — there was no need for a waiter. And that’s not all; we also got to continue with this experience by playing games on the touch screen till our order was delivered,” she says.

For Kaveri, an MA student, going to a restaurant is all about the experience — but of a different kind. “Ordering on a touch screen is as good as staying at home and ordering food. Part of the restaurant experience is having face-to-face communication with the server. I would definitely prefer the traditional restaurants,” she adds.

Radhika, another student, points out that some of the traditional restaurants are using new technology as well. “Whether it’s a good or bad move it doesn’t really matter as long as they manage to retain the taste of the dishes. Foodies come out to indulge in good food and no machine can replace the flavours these restaurants have been offering their customers,” she adds.