When you first see this image, there are a couple of steps to go through. The first one is pure confusion, which is pretty common with this list. The next step, however, is more confusion, as you realize what the restaurant is going for.
The third step differs based on who you are – it’s either shaking your head at the small amount of food or you just ask for the bill and make a beeline for the parking lot.
No Eating at the Library
What's for lunch? A few fine-looking sandwiches, a bottle of milk...a glass of wine, a pot of tea. There are also what appear to be scones and some things that are trapped inside glass jars. The entire thing has been delivered inside a small, fetching bookcase, but a bookcase without books just doesn't look right.
Our verdict: hipster. From the state of the classic teapots and the items that are used to deliver the food, such as the glass milk bottle, this is trying to hearken back to a time long ago. Here's a hint: glass jars = hipster at a very high rate.
A Delicious Glass of Frosting
There are two types of people in the world: those who like cake, and those who need to get over themselves. Whatever restaurant we're peeking in on now – and we want to go there, right now – has figured out the best way to do things.
There are glasses filled with something, covered in sprinkles and candy, and topped with moist, delicious-looking cake. The frosting is smooth and thick (it looks a little like fondant, and we're big fans of that here). The one thing we keep coming back to here is: what is inside the glass? Let us know if you have a guess. Our verdict: just trying something new.
We Aren't Going to Argue
The verdict for this one is obvious: This is a marketing tactic, and it's working. A scotch egg is essentially a boiled egg in a sausage meat wrap, covered in breadcrumbs, and then either baked or deep-fried.
This establishment has taken this classic dish one step further, jamming a piece of crispy bacon in the center of the yolk. The trophy it's presented in declares it the world's best scotch egg, and unless someone else comes up with a better-looking example, consider us willing to shell out for our own trophy, as long as we get to enjoy what looks like a very tasty item.
It's all or Nothing
We've all heard (or taken part) in a pie-eating competition or went to a restaurant just because we knew that if we finished the entire meal, we won't have to pay for it. This is what it looks like in Slovenia. You must finish this burger tower within 20 minutes or pay 40 euros.
We don't see any issue with the burger patties, the buns, or the onion rings. We can even swallow the cheese topping. What we are most concerned about is the sward. Not sure there will be room for that.
Take Out the Garbage
Bad restaurants usually build their own reputation, being good or bad, within time. It's something that has a duration, it can change, and there is always room for improvement. Except maybe for this place.
This restaurant didn't leave much room for imagination, it didn't allow the customers to have their own opinion on the quality of the food. It was placed in front of them, black on white. It was garbage.
The Carnival Classic
Food can be served in many ways. It can also be served on a Ferris wheel. If you're stopping in on this food shop, you have the good fortune of enjoying a meal that is built to look just like a fair ride that we've all enjoyed at one time or another.
Give it a spin and grab a Doritos. Our verdict for this one is that the people selling it wanted to bump their presentation up a notch, not taking into account how ridiculous and unappetizing it was.
I Just Wanted a Glass of Orange Juice
For this one, we're going to go with hipsters. If you order a glass of orange juice – truly, one of the best ways to prove that God loves us – you want a glass that has ORANGE JUICE in it, delivered to the table.
If we wanted to squeeze oranges to get a third of an inch of juice, we wouldn't have sat down at a table with our friends (squints at name tag) Kayleigh. And we most certainly would not have paid nine dollars for it, either. Also, please explain the small packet of something that is in front of the squeezer. We just want answers.
All in One
Tomato topping, cheese and olive, onion and mushroom, and double cheese. And when you are through with that, the M&M topping will be waiting for you in the center. No need to order dessert.
This is not a pizza. This is crime. Not only is the brownie center surrounded by numerous toppings, but the entire thing is served in a tier. Where are the boundaries?
He's Eyeing the Steak House Across the Street
This one was tough. The presentation makes us think hipster – a single strawberry cut in half, placed on a tiny chair. But the rest of the table makes us think upscale frou-frou establishment that puts too much thought into its presentation and not enough thought into the fact a that A SINGLE STRAWBERRY CUT IN HALF AND PUT ON A TINY CHAIR IS NOT A MEAL.
Now, if it was the aperitif or something of that nature, then we could handle it. Or maybe this is like those mints you get at the end—something to cleanse the palate.
Medieval Monter
Some may say this is an art, and some may say this is a computer waste of time, a chef who had nothing better to do that day than to serve a croquette in an iron mask. Why? Because he could.
Yes, we agree. This is much more than food, and in the time and era we live in, there is room for everyone, and personal interpretation is embraced. However, when childhood deprivations affect the design of the dish, that is when we have a problem.
This Might Not Even Be Part of the Meal
Okay, from the ground up — a bowl that has something in it (unknown), a small piece of cloth, a pair of silver spoons that each have a single, whole, black olive, and a real-yet-miniature olive tree.
Is this something that diners paid for, or is there one on every table? The fact that there are real olives makes us think the former, but a tree? Those are usually pretty decorative. Do you eat the tree, too? Maybe you get to take it home. That would be kind of cool. The woman in the back has a suspiciously wedding-style dress. Is that related? Is this from a fancy wedding?
Delicious and Nutritious
We all enjoy a cup of fancy joe every now and again, but sometimes we lack the right vitamins to get us through the day. One enterprising shop has come up with the perfect solution: coffee in a carrot.
You can not only get a perk-up in the morning, but once the coffee is down, you crunch in on one of the healthiest foods around. Did you know carrots have more potassium than bananas? It's true! They also have fiber, vitamin A, calcium, and vitamin K, as well as lots of minerals and antioxidants.
From the Palm of My Hand
It took a little bit of looking, but we've figured out what it is that's going on here. They filled a latex glove with water and stuck it in the freezer – or they have a REALLY specific mold – and then took the glove off, piled it with rabbit food, and presented it to you in a small bowl.
It's a cool idea, honestly, but having the ice be in the shape of a hand is a little freaky. Plus, there are some veggies as part of that “salad” that we have never even seen before. Take it back to the drawing board, fellas.
Minimalist
Even for those that don't like salads that much, a Caesar salad is a favorite. Delicious, tangy dressing, croutons, fresh lettuce – as well as occasional extras like shredded cheese and chicken. It's a good time. This restaurant, however, didn't feel like putting too much effort into the presentation.
Unless there is something the lettuce is hiding, they just took a few leaves, jammed it straight into some old bread, and then added a little dish of dressing. Pretty clearly, it's part of a larger meal if those barely visible cloches are any indication. At least you can get the right amount of dressing without too much hassle.
Perspective Madness
If you get a headache or some dizziness while looking at this picture, you aren't alone. It's nearly impossible to tell how big this chicken-clogged staircase actually is from this picture.
The items in the background make it seem like it's not very big... but then you take a closer look. Are those full-size chickens? No, it couldn't be. What about the cupboard that has bowls of dipping sauce? And then there are the veggies that look like full-size pieces of lettuce. We're reeling here. Just... just get us to a chair and let us rest for a bit. Put our heads between our legs.
This Is Part of an Aquarium
Clearly, there isn't anything to eat here. There are seashells, rocks, seaweed...but there is not any food. We're putting our foot down. And our forks. If somebody put this in front of me, Ron Swanson would be shocked at how we would react.
But can you really blame us? Look at this! This isn't food. Maybe, if we were being really generous, that thing that looks a little bit like sushi at the top of the picture might count, but this has to be pricey. Just put it on a little plate and save all of us the trouble.
We're Kind of Fans, Honestly
A lightbulb is perfect for holding your drink if you're out and about, and we don't care who doesn't agree. Just think – still easy to sip from or stick a straw in, and it resists spills better than most other containers.
You might need to make it out of more durable material, or at least one that won't leave shards of glass everywhere. In the meantime, whatever enterprising stand sells, this drink has a workaround using a small flamingo inner tube in order to protect it. In such a crowded environment, protection is key.
Led Zeppelin Is Licking Their Lips
For most people, sushi is a sometimes food. For just that reason, presentation is key – one sushi restaurant has given people a path to take when they order this good-looking food. With three staircases to choose from, there are numerous varieties to enjoy.
The middle one looks the most special, with a bit of drizzle that is just the perfect kind of artistic. Our verdict for this one is a restaurant trying to forge their own path and do something that will get them noticed – in a good way, of course. Walk your way up the staircase of sushi with a smile on your face.
Leaving the Food Out to Dry
If you can figure out exactly what this tiny washing line has hanging from it, please let us know. The photo is a little blurry, and the light isn't super great, but we have a couple of guesses.
First, it looks like a couple of pieces of bacon, but that's mainly the dresses on either end. The pair of shorts in the center doesn't look much like bacon unless it's really thin. Did they cut the bacon into the shapes and then fry it? Bacon doesn't really keep its shape when you cook it. They could have done it after frying, of course. Other options are potato chips and beef jerky.
It's Like Some People Have Never Heard of Plates Before
We have been notified that this is a serving of mushrooms. Yeah? Are you sure? Point them out, please. We can see a few peeking out from among the moss, and leaves, and branches, and we wouldn't be at all surprised at all if there is dirt, too.
What's worse is even if you are able to get past all that nature, you have to eat mushrooms. This is another toss-up: It could be a hipster offering, but it could also be a fancy spot that wanted to do something a little different. But change isn't always good.
This Seems a Little Impractical
Drinks are served in all sorts of things these days. Glasses, cups, jars, bottles, mugs, watering cans, light bulbs, bowls. But bags? It just seems like what you do if you want a mess.
These iced drinks look nice and tasty, and the straw makes them easy to drink, but drinking out of a bag has obvious downsides. For instance, getting every drop out of the bottom. And what if they tip over? Bags don't have a stable base usually. This just screams hipster – wood-slat table, a little jar of nuts on the table, and drink bags with plastic straws.
Sometimes You Just Run Out of Options
When a restaurant's popularity starts to eclipse the items it has to use; sometimes they have to get creative. Such is the case with this restaurant, which can be found in a small town in Thailand.
The people who live around it must love to sample the delicacies since the restaurant is forced – or was, at least for a little while – to serve the dishes in plastic bowls, dustpans, plastic crates, and, amazingly, an upside-down umbrella. Except for that middle guy, the diners look amped to dig in, and he might just be putting on a face for the camera.
Ding-Ding
Thanks to the first “Avengers” movie, shawarma has grown in the public eye recently. Plenty of people have started sampling this middle eastern dish, and they all have good things to say.
Of course, some restaurants have jumped to the next level of presentation. One such restaurant has decided that some little metal or plastic bicycles (tricycles, actually) are the perfect way to present the meal and some dipping sauce. They did things the right way, too, by giving the diner a plate in front as well, meaning you can actually keep things clean and tidy while munching down on some of Tony Stark's favorite food.
Hopefully Not an Indication of Quality
Yeah, they're stacked inside a tiny little garbage can, but the fries still look pretty good. Getting good fries isn't exactly rocket surgery, but some people can still muck them up. No bad luck here, though. We're going with the hipster option here, but it's merely the closest fit.
The rest of the meal is presented on a fairly regular plate and looks like a pretty filling mixture of veggies and a main. Most likely, this is an establishment that wants to trod their own path, and they chose these bins as a way to set themselves apart. Still, a garbage can is kinda hipster.
Should We Be Scared?
We're pretty sure this is a threat. Some bougie establishment decided that the best way to present...this...dish...is a glass of something, a slab of meat (which looks great, don't get us wrong) and a piece of sausage speared on top.
What on Earth is in the glass? Could it be sweet tea? That would certainly fit in with what appears to be a BBQ aesthetic that is going on in the rest of the picture. The only problem is BBQ is usually pretty messy – even if you have metal trays such as the lady has, you're going to make a mess.
We Sat in Stunned Silence for Ten Seconds
When you first see this image, there are a couple of steps to go through. The first one is pure confusion, which is pretty common with this list. The next step, however, is more confusion, as you realize what the restaurant is going for.
The third step differs based on who you are – it's either shaking your head at the small amount of food or you just ask for the bill and make a beeline for the parking lot.
Innovation
That time of year was knoking on the door once again, and it was the hour to create new dishes, invent new flavors and work on cool and innovative ways to serve the new dishes. And then this came along.
Stewert thought coleslaw would be a great addition to the old classic burger. Something fresh and traditional that everybody loves. And not only that, let's serve it in a shopping chart. Now that's a great idea, Stewert. That is a great idea.
Really Getting Back to Basics
There is a little bit of a backstory attached to this picture. The one who took it visited an establishment with a tasting menu, and the first course is “citrus in sugar.”
It sounds tasty, and citrus is always a nice thing to have. Very healthy. But, you notice how the person taking the picture is simply holding the small piece of food in his hand? That's because when the waiter approached, the waiter said, “hold out your hand,” and placed the item in the diner's palm. Are they trying to cut costs around dishes? Not likely – probably it's all part of the ExPeRiEnCe.
Do They Get Utensils?
Poutine is a good time, though the serving implement they used to deliver this treat doesn't really fill us with confidence. But what's for dinner? There are french fries forming the base of the dish, with slices of sausage, a healthy dose of baked beans, and there are even slices of bacon. Of course, there's also plenty of gravy poured over all of it, something that makes poutine what it is.
Will the diners be forced to eat this with their hands? Delicious as it is, poutine is kind of messy. Maybe the restaurant took it a step further and said that diners couldn't even use their hands. If so, they should get to keep the bowl.
Not Exactly Air Jordan
Eating food out of a shoe is never very high on anyone's bucket list, but if for some reason you've always had a hankering for eating out of footwear, start looking for which restaurant serves this food. We have discovered these are fritters (which is an umbrella term for food that has been deep-fat-fried) served in a shoe that is made of gelatin.
We are not aware if you should eat the shoe, but it seems reasonable. Gelatin isn't known for its durability, so serving it more than once doesn't seem like a great choice. They really went all out here: they even put some laces on the shoes. Those might be reused, though.
This Might Not Even be a Restaurant
If a real dining establishment did serve this, they might end up exposing themselves to litigation – just look at the jagged edge on that plate. Also, where's the food? There is...maybe that's a boiled egg? Or...some kind of nut?
We guess it could even be a piece of chicken that is arranged in a particular way. Actually, chicken makes more sense when you look at the little pieces of detritus arranged around the...central item. To our eyes, they could be tiny fragments of fried chicken skin. Honestly, this looks like something somebody threw together on a lark to get a funny picture on social media.
Let the Drink Go Free
It looks like a pretty good cocktail in there, though your guess is as good as ours what the mixture itself is. The presentation is fancy, and the bendy straw lets us know that the place that served it isn't taking itself too seriously – or at least it wants to have some fun with its food.
The coolest part is the faded-metal birdcage, which doesn't look like it would keep a bird very well kept but is a notable way to provide your guests with drinks that they will remember. As long as the drink itself is a good one – presentation only goes so far.
How Much Do These Things Cost?
A single egg is little more than an aperitif or a small side dish, but you have to think that serving a hard-boiled egg on top of some sort of valve is a very specific choice that the business makes.
They have to go to a place that sells these (maybe a hardware store or a junkyard or something) and find enough of them to make the servings identical. Or maybe not even identical! Maybe everybody gets a different weird plumbing-based serving implement as a way to enjoy their egg. What do they serve it in if you like your eggs fried?
What is this Supposed to Hold?
This could be many things. In fact, it can be whatever you want it to be, just use your imagination. The chef of this restaurant clearly used his. There are no limitations when it comes to creation.
It can be an egg holder, it can be a candle stick, it can be an extra large tomato or pepper house (like shown in his image), and it can even be a peacock's foot coated in silver. It can. Just use your imagination.
You Can Enjoy the Clouds While You Eat
Carrot cake is one of the greatest things that mankind has ever devised, and now the presentation has improved even more. A slice of carrot cake, a bottle of pineapple juice, and some good friends sound like an enjoyable time.
As long as the carrot cake doesn't have raisins in it, which turns it from a wonderful treat into something they serve to sinners in hell. You'll also have to watch out for where the sun is in the sky – being blinded while simply trying to enjoy some dessert never makes for a fun time.
Is It...Like, Does It Work?
The dish being served here is beef wellington, which is fillet steak coated with pate and duxelles, wrapped in puff pastry, and then baked. It's a classic dish from across the pond in England and a favorite of big gatherings.
That's not really the point, though – the point is that it's served on a guillotine. Like, the thing used to cut heads off. Is the wellington supposed to symbolize something? Is it sharp? Does it work? Is that a kid there in the corner who is very wisely keeping all fingers away from this serving item? We hope so. Why would you use it? Is beef wellington that hard to cut through?
Stair Way to Heaven
Who said people were eating less meat and that vegan organizations were about to rule the world? By the look of this next restaurant creation, meat is only going up in the world.
So this is obviously a dish to be shared, and each cut of meat has a sign on its level, but why can't plates be served? To us, this is more like a stairway to hell.
Take a Seat
It seems that we are not the only ones having trouble moving after a great big meal. By the look of it, this dessert insisted on having a seat, too, and being placed on the table was going to be a bit awkward. Now, if you're going to serve the Brule on a chair, don't you think the kind of chair has to be considered?
It's not very appetizing receiving a yummy dessert on a chair that looks like the ones in the hospital bathrooms used by patients who find it difficult to walk after surgery.
What Is This? A Picnic for Ants?
There are lots of weird ways to serve food on this list, but this one might take the cake. Look, there are even little cakes. This fun, small picnic table is packed with a tasty meal for two people, including coffee, a smoothie, scones, sandwiches...churros? Are those churros down there at the bottom?
Anyway, there's plenty to enjoy here, and the small picnic table is just one more fun presentation that will stick in your mind and make this event memorable. Hipster? Fancy? The lines are becoming blurred. We're fine with this – there's a good amount of food, it's diverse, and it all looks great. As long as there are plates to use, full marks.
Under My Umbrella
Hopefully, this picture wasn't taken inside. Also, hopefully, there will be more food coming soon because those three plates don't look like they'll fill anyone up. However, this one is for sure supposed to be styled, and we can't ignore the glass (or, more likely, plastic) flat surface that supports the plates.
It also appears that there is a stand underneath the umbrella to keep it upright and steady. This one fits squarely in the hipster category because a fancy restaurant wouldn't stoop to serving food in an upside-down umbrella. At least they capped off the ends of the ribs. Those things could take an eye out.
The Spaghetti Monster Rises
Few people could go on record and say they hate pasta or Italian food in general. This serving might do some work to change people's minds in the other direction, however. There's some expertly-cooked meat, a small salad, and a little pitcher of something (we're going to go with sauce).
You might be wondering why there is a spire of pasta at the edge of the plate, and the answer is it's piled and draped over a platform. It doesn't look bad, but there's a problem: Giving the pasta that much air will cool it down and make it hard to eat. Looks good, yes, but it doesn't really work with the choice of food.
When You Get Hungry at Wimbledon
We can't say for certain if this is actually at Wimbledon, but it's our best guess. One way or the other, it's hard not to compliment this spread. Some nice little sandwiches arranged pointed up and a dish of fruit compote or something similar to that.
There are some little dessert nibbles like a macaroon and maybe some baklava, and a little dish of fruit and ice cream. Add a glass of champagne, and that's a full meal. Kinda weird, then, that they would serve them on two garish tennis rackets. Tennis rackets aren't cheap, but were those your only options?
Take Your Car in
We've been staring at this for the past hour and still can't figure out what exactly we are seeing, however, we do know it's a thing that is found in garages. So, this can only work in a garage-themed restaurant. What other explanation could there be?
We don't know if this dish is considered safe; we are unsure if only the brave will order this, and the flavors here are irrelevant. How can something like this possibly taste good?
Burger on the Rocks
This image got us asking many questions. What happens if you want to start with the fries? What are those things next to the burgers? And is the wine you have just ordered going to be served on a plate?
Yes, we know no plate could hold any liquid, so the wine question is a bit stupid. And the thought of having wine-soaked fries is much better and makes sense. A lot more sense.
What Dish Are We Looking at Here?
We got in on this one. This serving – yes, this is a serving that you are designed to eat – comes from Alinea, one of the few three-star Michelin restaurants in the United States. Believe it or not, it's dessert.
Alinea is, if we understand, a really, really, really fancy restaurant, which means that even this weird artistic display might end up being one of the tastiest things you've ever put in your mouth. It's served right on the table, but that doesn't mean you're scrounging. We have no idea what makes up this dessert, but we want to give it a try.
Do-It-Yourself Pasta
We all like a bit of pasta, but unless you're making it yourself, it's common to get a mixture that doesn't work for you. Too much pasta, too much sauce, the wrong amount of topping, and so on.
One restaurant has come up with a solution: Three jars, one of each part of the meal, and a big plate that allows you to make the perfect mixture. Part-hipster and part-fancy, as long as the food is well-made (and we knew this was going to happen), we'd be on board. Add in a little bit of wine, and you have the makings of a fun night out.
How Does It Look?
No, this isn't a close-up of a diner touching up her makeup. This is really part of the meal. It is actually a lipstick tube, but don't expect it to last on your lips. It's a mixture of frozen beet and strawberry, and the goal is to suck on it like it's a Popsicle.
We can't imagine doing so is all that attractive, especially since you can only get a little bit out at a time. Plus, beets and strawberries? If done properly, beets are a nice addition to a meal, but mixing the two and freezing them doesn't sit right. But we haven't actually tried it, so who are we to judge?
Too Soon for Takeaway
We actually find this next one pretty offensive. The diners have not even finished their meal, and already they have been asked to leave. How else would you explain the break in the bag? New design trends can bot be used as an excuse here.
One thing we can say is that this restaurant at least made an effort and investing in a zebra-striped leather bag and didn't just use a cheap brown paper one. Thumbs up. This place clearly DOES care about its customers.
Turn My Sauce On
We have come across the use of lightbulbs in cocktails before, however, this is all new to us (We are pretty sure this is new to anyone at the moment). So, we've asked around, and apparently, it's a thing at the moment. Kind of a weird thing if you ask us.
How are the oysters supposed to be eaten? Is the top of the lightbulb detachable? Can it be unscrewed? Are the bulbs supposed to be cracked open? Who's BRIGHT idea was this in the first place?