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I'm not adverse to change, yet I wonder if restaurant menus delivered in a digital form through an iPad or other similar device are such a good idea.
16 June 2010
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Loading ...Yesterday. I heard of the Pearl, a restaurant in Melbourne, Australia that is starting to use iPads in place of printed menus. I read the article about it and wasn't sure what to think. I could see advantages, but something was annoying me about the concept.
Today, looking for the article again, I found many other sites talking about such a thing:
Some of the advantages mentionned in the different articles include:
An Australian company that makes the iPad menu software, MenuPad, suggests more advantages for the restaurateurs:
Menupad doesn't forget the advantages to the restaurant's guest:
As an aside, the Menupad site has so many spelling mistakes, it's hard to trust them to write bug-free code! But that's another story entirely.
Talking of Global Mundo, PadGadget says:
Patrons are able to browse through the list of menu items, view photographs and read tasting notes. Want a steak? Order one and you'll be asked how it should be cooked. When you've completed your meal selections, submit your order to the kitchen with the touch of a button.
PadGadget also says:
Now I'd like to know, do they have an iPad kids menu complete with apps to entertain little ones while you dine? That would truly be something!
[Nic's note:] Oh yes, I can see it from here - give the kids an iPad to play with... Has anyone mentionned cost savings? Doh!
This idea might sound crazy but if you think about it for a minute, it is not only entertaining and interactive, but also environmental friendly as it saves trees from being killed to make paper.
[Nic's note:] I would venture to say that it takes a LOT of paper menus before you offset the carbon footprint of the production of a single iPad...
The Australian quotes Chris Lucas, owner of the Pearl:
The platform, he says, will enable diners to "drill down" for information, depending on their level of interest.
Frankly, I don't like it. I'm not against change, mind you. I think change is good. And I like some of the ideas. But... I don't like it.
I could think of some uses to put the computer to use, that would really be advantages, but I doubt anyone will incorporate that in their software:
While I understand the convenience to the restaurant to be able to integrate the iPad menu ordering directly into their POS system, I don't like the idea of skipping the wait staff. Not everyone will do this. Global Mundo is letting people order through the iPad, the Pearl isn't. I can see the quality of wait-staff going down for those who will rely on the iPad for ordering. The restaurant won't need good wait staff anymore - they'll only need to hire "plate carriers". Sure, it reduces their cost (will that saving be passed on to the client, I doubt it). It just doesn't seem right to me.
I used to collect menus from restaurants I went to that I really enjoyed. Most restaurants were happy to give a menu as a souvenir. Some offered to sell one. Can you imagine how many peolpe would try to swipe the iPad menu?
The thing is, when I go to a restaurant, I go to enjoy a good meal, relax and have a good time with family and/or friends.
We are bombarded with information all day long - whether we're at the computer, watching tv, driving, reading magazines, etc. Information overload. The last thing I want is to get to the restaurant and have access to more and more information. Sure, it's up to the patron to decide if they'll dig for more. Yet I can easily imagine "disappearing" into the menu while my dining partners are making their choice (or have disappeared in the menu themselves). What should be a convivial experience suddenly becomes an isolating experience.
Does that mean I'm not interested in more information about a particular dish or ingredient? Of course not. But the time and delivery method is not right. Don't drown us with that at the beginning of a meal. If you want to provide it, put it on your website. Those really dedicated will get to it on their phone.
So, what about you? How do you feel about this? Do you think it's progress? Do you think it is a good idea? Do you think it is a bad idea? Why do you think so?
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Never trust a dog to watch your food.
Patrick, aged 10
I dont like them cause when i go to a restaurant I want the experience with the human being.A waiter who cares and a waiter who will make suggestions and give me service. ipads have their place in restaurants but not to order meals on.Maybe, maybe as a source to show the photo of the dish but god forbid if the dish doesn't match the photo -thats risky.
Carm
Comment by: Carm - June 16th, 2010 @ 19:37
I see touchpads, not necessarily iPads as an idea that may work in a situation like MacDonalds etc like the self check out registers at the supermarkets. however, in a dining establishment, I think that part of the experience is the interaction with the staff. and alot of wait staff use wireless devices to place orders electronically these days anyway.
Comment by: @5pandas - June 16th, 2010 @ 19:38
I would prefer to see all this information available on a restaurant's website to help me decide if I want to give it my custom. However, if I am dining out I don't want technology to intrude. I don't go to a dining establishment for education or information, or to find out who their suppliers are - I go to have human interaction with the people in my party and the staff who are presumably knowledgeable about menu and wine choices.
The restaurants that are introducing technological replacements for knowledgeable staff risk a backlash. The use of cellphones in restaurants has been a problem for years and many have policies against using these at the table. How can they say its okay to use their iPads but not one you bring yourself, or your cellphone, PDA or other device? Where do they draw the line?
I would much rather dine out to the sounds of wait staff assisting diners than the sound of wait staff instructing people on how to use iPads. I work with tech every day and am pleased to be able to leave it behind and enjoy interacting with humans when I dine out so those dining establishments won't see my money.
Comment by: Lynne - June 16th, 2010 @ 19:59
My take on this is fairly straightforward. It's a gimmick. It won't take off. There may well remain individual restaurants that continue to use iPad menus but it won't lead to a revolution in how we order food any more than the Sushi train has.
Comment by: markhughes3000 - June 17th, 2010 @ 14:12
I tend to agree. But I think what will be more useful is to use the iPad for wine lists. Especially those restaurants that have extensive winelists. Quay is going this way, and I saw Stuart from Fix St James in Sydney thinking out loud about it too. Imagine if wines were categorised with more user friendly terms, so people like me who don't know anything about wines can choose more easily!
Comment by: Reemski - June 19th, 2010 @ 21:03
My friends and clients at Naples Tomato of Naples, FL, just announced that is putting its sommelier recommendations and wine list on the iPad. They have built a new iPad app, Personal Sommeliers, which will be used in the restaurant and available to other restaurants later this year.
Comment by: Janice Brown - June 25th, 2010 @ 2:39
There is a use for it but through trial and error, it will come right. I don't think it is a good or bad idea but no one has actually come up with a great idea. If an IPAD is involved, there should be a functionalities or idea that allows the consumer to engage with the brand a little more, data collection and to bring it to the next phase.
I do agree that we want to be comfortable and sometimes things like menus should be left alone for awhile longer.
Comment by: penny aka jeroxie - June 25th, 2010 @ 19:54