There’s nothing worse than having a romantic dinner ruined by the shitty flash of a cell phone camera reflecting off of a plate of someone so eager to share their food with their social media friends.
Fret not, as many restauranteurs in New York City are sick of people Instagramming instead of enjoying their food.
According to the New York Times, a number of restaurants in Manhattan have banned cameras, so people don’t disturb others’ dining experiences.
Chef and restauranteur David Bouley said that he will only allow clients to take pictures of their dishes in the kitchen as table photography “totally disrupts the ambience.”
So what happens if someone disregards these rules?
“We get on top of those folks right away or else it’s like a circus,” said Bouley.
Taking photos of the food disrupts the entire experience for the people you’re with, the other patrons, the staff, and even the chef.
“It chills the food. That chef just painstakingly prepared a delicious hot meal that… needs to be eaten now.
“That’s not even just courtesy and respect. That’s thermodynamics.”
Ever since Instagram’s popularity has skyrocketed with hashtags such as “#foodporn,” people have taken to their plates with their cameras ready rather than their forks.
“Everybody wants to get their shot. They don’t care how it affects people around them. It’s a disaster in terms of momentum, settling into the meal, the great conversation that develops.
“It’s hard to build a memorable evening when flashes are flying every six minutes.”
Robert Gordon | Elite.
