SURROUNDINGS

Where You Are

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul.

JOHN MUIR

It’s hard to enjoy a meal if you’re in a bad mood. Your environment influences your mood and behavior. Sound and setting influence the pleasures of eating. The vibe of your dining environment can enhance or dull your tasting experience, so consider where you’re eating along with what you’re eating.

Heston Blumenthal, chef of the famed restaurant The Fat Duck in England, performed a fascinating experiment with music. He found that oysters served with a soundtrack of the sea were perceived as more satisfying than oysters served with barnyard sounds. I can’t say that barnyard sounds would be appetizing no matter what is on my plate, but it makes sense that when hosting a pool party, the Beach Boys are a better fit than death metal. Try eating pizza while listening to opera, or a 10-course tasting menu while listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival—that would be an interesting experiment.

One of the most memorable meals I can recall was a simple leg of lamb roasted on an open fire at the edge of the pasturelands where the lamb was raised. A lobster roll on a dock in Maine on a sunny summer day will always trump a lobster roll in a concrete stadium or a fancy restaurant.

Being around nature has a positive effect on our well-being. I also believe it influences taste. That can be as simple as fresh flowers on the table, or as impressive as a stunning view overlooking the ocean. A wholesome meal has the power to heal.

Successful restaurants spend a lot of time and money getting their atmosphere just right. Your meal is about more than what is on your plate. Do what you can to enhance the space you’re serving it in, and you’ll enjoy it more.