Digital menus?

I take the train quite a bit here in the Netherlands and there’s always something interesting to read in the free papers that litter the seats from the morning rush. Today, in the metro, I read an interesting bit over the transition many restaurants are making towards the digital waiter, or menus.

The article (in dutch) discusses the trend towards a digital screen at your table in the restaurant where you can select your dining choices by simply pressing the screen and voila! it arrives at your table. No more waiter.

Why do I blog this?

I find this a disappointing trend, since the personal touch of discussing your choices with a waiter (and asking what’s good today) are on the verge of extinction. But the article is interesting because it opens lots of new ground to visual merchandising students…how do you communicate the taste of the beef sirloin on an internet screen? How can you display that the fish is truly tasty, with a hint of lemon and coriander to tickle your palette? Things to consider in this class as we move forward…