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Back in the really olden days, dinner was seldom a ceremonial event for U.S. families. Only the very wealthy had a separate dining room. For most, meals were informal, a kind of rolling refueling; often only the men sat down.

Fine dining is an occasional treat for most people.

A small venue is so much more intimate and loose. You can actually be more spontaneous, I feel.

I don't like sitting at a table that's too large, where everyone is too far apart. That's a party killer.

Eating is so intimate. It's very sensual. When you invite someone to sit at your table and you want to cook for them, you're inviting a person into your life.

To me, it's a religious experience to sit down at anyone's table. I feel so invited, like it's a sacred place.

I think fine dining should be part of the community where it is, more than just for the people who are going to make a special occasion.

The dinner table is a lively debate, and everybody weighs in in a different way. I like that, though.

It's important for me who is at the table with me; the moment when everyone speaks to each other and everyone listens. If there's good food, it's much better.

Going out for a meal, especially for young urbanites, is less about socialising over enjoyable food than about enjoying food as a way to socialise.