In favor of small

On the food scene, a class of items known as "small plates" has been gaining in popularity on some restaurant menus. Small plates are just what the name implies: small portions of entrees, of which several are often ordered and shared. 

There are many advantages to the small-plate way of eating. Nutritionists have been saying for years that Americans in general need to have smaller portions of food, so eating small plates allows you to follow this excellent advice. At the same time, since the idea of small plates is to let you try a few different ones, it effectively means you can eat MORE food. In some cases you may have to eat approximately 23 small plate meals to equal one typical size meal.

Another advantage is that the dishes come out to the table whenever they are ready, in no particular order, so there is an element of surprise throughout the experience. "Oh, look," one of your party will say when the server brings a dish. "We ordered beef tagliata...did we order beef tagliata?" Imagine if this were applied to home kitchens as well--say, serving dessert before side dishes. This small plates thing might catch on.

Because the food comes out at staggered times, it is difficult to tell exactly how much you have consumed. So just to be sure you've gotten enough, you should implement the final phase in Small-Plate Eating: Head to the restaurant next door to have your REAL meal. 

I confess to some unease over the one-thing-at-a-time way of eating. I personally like having a variety of foods to choose from at the same time. In keeping with this, I have instructed the Hero that should I someday be feeble in body and/or mind, and require assistance eating, he is to ensure that I do NOT get fed all my mashed potatoes first, and then all my meatloaf, and then all my green beans. Variety, please. Unless there is chocolate. Then, bring it on.