My wife and I enjoy eating out for dinner and especially look forward to trying out new venues.
In the summer, our favorite type of eatery is an outside patio, preferably overlooking a body of water.
In the fall, we prefer to take leisurely drives to enjoy the changing foliage colors. We find ourselves stopping at out-of-the-way restaurants that are casual dining establishments. Quite honestly, when we dine at casual places, we don’t expect much when it comes to the ambiance of the facility. But when we eat at fine dining restaurants, we expect a better cuisine, service and overall setting. Both of us work in the HVAC business, and as a result, we notice immediately if the ventilation is adequately removing the odors coming from the kitchen. The ideal HVAC system for restaurants has at least one make up air unit installed in the kitchen. Make up air units add replacement air for what is being pulled out through the exhaust hoods. Without this ventilation, poor air quality results – which ultimately is circulated throughout the dining area. Having a make up air unit(s) in the kitchen allows better air control, directing cooking odors away from where the customers are trying to enjoy their meal. It also keeps air ventilation properly flowing through drafts and chimneys. Without proper air circulation, problems ultimately result in the heating system, such as pilot lights extinguishing. Quite honestly, if we are dining at a fine restaurant that does not have proper ventilation, we most likely will not be enticed to return. At the very least, we leave our HVAC business card on the table when we leave.