In the restaurant industry, gueridon service or tableside service is the cooking or finishing of foods by a waiter (or maître d’hôtel) at the diner’s table, typically from a special serving cart called a guéridon trolley.
The adage “what’s old is new again” rings true in fashion circles, but it’s apt for restaurants too. In the case of dining out, the time feels right to get dressed up and go out to dinner, where you’ll discover that many restaurants are bringing back engaging tableside food preparations. From desserts flambéed in the dining room to roaming bar carts, these experiences engage all your senses and turn dinner into a show (pretty much the opposite of sitting on your couch and eating takeout). Read on for our favorite new spins on tableside dishes from coast to coast.
By Michael La Corte
Michael is a food writer, recipe editor and educator based in his beloved New Jersey. After graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, he worked in restaurants, catering and supper clubs before pivoting to food journalism and recipe development. He also holds a BA in psychology and literature from Pace University.
Tableside Fettuccine Alfredo at Gratzi in Michigan
FAQ
What does tableside mean in cooking?
What is table side service example?
What is the meaning of table side service?
Which service style created table side cooking?
What is a table service restaurant?
“Table Service” is a restaurant industry term that can mean either the presentation of food to patrons by waiters, or the place settings present on each table. Restaurants without either are usually referred to as “ counter service ” establishments.
What’s a takeaway from tableside dining?
The most ubiquitous takeaway from tableside dining, however, could be the open kitchen concept: It shatters the fourth wall of the kitchen and allows the food to be theater, giving diners a view of the stage. Food is, and always will be, an act of spectacle. Was this page helpful?
Are restaurants bringing back tableside food preparations?
Think: a doughnut ice cream sundae flambéed right before you. The adage “what’s old is new again” rings true in fashion circles, but it’s apt for restaurants too. In the case of dining out, the time feels right to get dressed up and go out to dinner, where you’ll discover that many restaurants are bringing back engaging tableside food preparations.
Is tableside preparation the best of fine dining?
Tableside preparation drove home a very clear message: this is the best of fine dining, just as it used to be. That’s not to say that tableside preparations are relegated to prohibitive price points. Sometimes, the performance is not so much a statement of refinement as it is a gesture of hospitality.