A crowded restaurant can jump from lively to loud far too quickly for Nici Wickes. Pictured is Richmond Rd cafe. Photo / Kenny Rodger
As the noise level in restaurants ratchets upward, downward goes the sense of an enjoyable night out, says Nici Wickes
He leaned in closer so that he could hear me. I repeated myself but, even then, he couldn't quite catch what I was saying. He asked again, in his silky French accent, what it was I wanted.
"He" was our waiter and what I wanted was to order food, but
the too-loud music and general clatter in the restaurant was making it near impossible to communicate!
Have you noticed it - the increasing din that goes with dinner in so many of our restaurants?
It makes me feel like an old fogey to say it, but when lively turns into loud and I find myself shouting at my dining pals, I do wonder if the grace has gone out of eating out altogether.
