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As a restaurant owner and a chef I love to eat out. Whether it's fast-service or fine dining there are good restaurants and bad ones. My standards are pretty basic. My top seven attributes for determining whether I will go back are as follows, not listed in order of importance.

1. Cleanliness-general cleanliness is important, I check out the bathroom, the silverware and the glasses. These are the items they're showing to the customer if they're not clean I question the back of the house.

2. Menu items-are the menu items consistent with the theme of the restaurant? I don't want sushi at an Italian restaurant or grilled cheese at a fine-dining restaurant. And enough with the chicken strips my children can eat adult food that's much healthier for them. Are there signature menu items that keep me coming back?
3. Freshness of food-is the salad beautifully plated but looks 3 days old. Does the cream pie taste like the refrigerator? A good restaurant knows when to throw out unsatisfactory food.
4. Attention to detail-does the wait staff notice when I'm out of water or that I need ketchup for my fries? Do they bring the check without asking if I'd like dessert? A restaurant that pays attention makes more money.
5. Consistency-is it good sometimes, great sometimes and mediocre others? I'd settle for consistently good versus guessing if I'll enjoy my meal this time.
6. Atmosphere-comfortable, enough said. If I don't feel comfortable there no matter how much I like the food, I don't go back.
7. Service-I don't want wait staff fawning all over me but I do appreciate them not talking on their cell phone when taking my order, even at fast-service restaurants just acknowledging I'm a paying customer goes a long way. Consider the type of restaurant some East Coast restaurants are known for their brusque service, don't expect any different or you will be disappointed. And yes I like being noticed if I've been in every day for the last three weeks, regular customers add a lot to a restaurant's bottom line.

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