Presenting the right mood and setting is significant to creating a healthy and positive dining experience, reveals an industry research.

Restaurant operators are investing more than ever before in design and décor as they strive to create a setting that will set them apart from the competition, it said.

Many critics assess the interior design of their surroundings while evaluating the overall dining experience, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2001 Restaurant Industry Forecast.

“Restaurateurs are making a tremendous effort in creating the ‘right’ ambience in an environment where customers have become more selective and look for innovation and interior design,” said Ajai Dayal, general manager for retail and marketing, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, distributors for ID Design, Better Life, United Colors of Benetton.

The atmosphere for dining is critical to home meals with increasing numbers of people emulating their outside dining experience at home.

“With increasing incomes, more people are looking for quality and convenient dining options, whether at home or outside,” added Dayal.

IDdesign, an upmarket home solutions retailer, is seeing this trend reflected in the growth in its segment of stylish dining furniture and sophisticated accessories.

With people choosing to escape the summer heat supplemented by the desire to invest time, energy and effort in learning about new cuisines, hosting dinner affairs at home during the summer is a popular concept across the region.

IDdesign offers high-end ‘tasteful’ dining furniture in an assortment of colours, shapes and textures. Elegant dark wood dining tables and chairs, brightly coloured tableware and stylish vases are also part of their exclusive product range.

“Customers can fashion their own dining environment whether aiming for an informal contemporary setting or an elegant classic feel,” said Iddesign manager Surendran. “IDdesign also houses trendy outdoor furniture that suits a sunny alfresco meal.”

Food professionals also stress the close relation between colour and taste. For example, studies show blue is the least effective in stimulating an appetite.

With a considerable number of shoppers using the summer to discover new indoor dining options and new cuisines, IDdesign outlets house an extensive top quality range of furnishings for an assortment of tastes. – Trade Arabia News Service