"Is that good?"

One of the most confusing things I get asked on a weekly basis is people looking at the menu and pointing and asking..."Is that good?" 

Being a father of two and a loving husband, I've developed a sense of patience, and am still developing my ability to suppress my sarcastic whit and bite my tongue when opportunities flash me.  But this is one of those things that make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. 

First of all, as professionals, we in the "non-corporate" restaurant business have control over what's on the menu.  So somewhere along the line, someone thought that the item in question is not only good, but delicious.  We are in the business of creating delicious.  The truth of the mater is, delicious doesn't come without trial and error, so most items you see on a menu has been through various stages before menus go to print. 

Second, I don't know automatically what you like.  Right now, I think Romazzatti Amaro is delicious.  But if I had a 21 year old drinker walk into the bar and ask for a delicious drink, I would not recommend it.  All items will be relative based on what your tastes are.  Know what you like before you ask the question "is that good?" 

Third, you may want to re-think that phrase into "What is this like?"  Totally understandable and reasonable question.  It happens to me all the time, when I walk into a restaurant, and it's like reading greek, I am happy to answer a lot of questions. 

Now I'll be the first to admit that I often know more about booze and wine than I do about food.  Clyde Common is constantly challenging my food knowledge, and there are always things to learn about opportunity to grow culinary knowledge.

So to answer your question "Is that good?"  My answer is "What do you like?".