Growing up in a Chinese household, I had family-style dining almost every-day of my life. I never realized what it has taught me until a couple weeks ago, my sister and mother came to visit me in U.A.E.. We went to Rosso’s Italian Restaurant at Amwaj Rotana Hotel where we stayed in Dubai.
Here are reasons why we should opt for family-style dining more often:
- Improves Social Skills like Sharing – I was lucky enough to learn this at an early age growing up with an older sister. By practicing family-style dining even families with an only-child can learn this skill just at their dinner table or local restaurant.
- Creates Conversation and Builds Relationships – This is particularly true when guests are deciding what to order. Conversation is a must and you get to learn about each other preferences. I found out my mom loves truffles!
- Encourages interaction – In this society where interaction during meals is becoming less and less due to our phones (i’m guilty!), this is a key benefit in family-style dining. It forces all the guests to provide all their focus to the meal. Chinese people love to serve each other so it is the most polite to be present during the meal and express your gratitude and serve back when this happens.
- Can Eat All at the Same Time – I hate those awkward moments when my friend’s food has arrived and I am just sitting there awkward waiting for mine. With family style dining, we can begin all at the same time once the first dish arrives!
- Able to Taste more Things – I love to try anything once but at times I only really wanted was a bite.
- Portions according to their own preference – I feel so guilty when I cannot finish the food on my plate at coursed dinners. Family style sharing allows me to just get what is enough for myself and leave the rest for the other guests.
- Unites the Family – with family-style dining it reminds us of the family gatherings like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Eid al-Fitr, etc. It unites us together, reminds us of good memories and gives us new ones.
Read on further for my recommendations on the best family-sharing dishes at Rosso:
