Restaurants swap menus for iPads

While some initially dismissed Apple’s iPad as an oversized iPhone, the mini-notebook may, in fact, change food service forever.

Some savvy restaurateurs have been quick to make use of the technology by trading their usual, hard-copy, menu lists for iPads.

Rydges Hotel in North Sydney has introduced 10 iPads in its eatery, Mundo Global Tapas + Bar, providing an interactive food ordering system.

The MenuPad application, loaded on the iPads, allows diners to browse menu options, see pictures of the dishes and read about each in detail. Customers can also place orders directly to the kitchen via the gadget.

As well as being handy for customers, the MenuPad ‘app’ is also useful for restaurant staff. Its easy-to-use web interface is a cinch to update, including adding and removing menu items, uploading images, adding wine reviews and even changing the price on public holidays to include a surcharge.

Internationally, the iPad craze is also having an impact on the food scene. In the US, Chicago’s Fairmont Hotel has also replaced menus with iPads at its Aria Restaurant. Its customised iPad application was developed by the restaurant in partnership with interactive agency Envisionit Media.

Using the ‘app’, diners can tap on specific ingredient names for definitions, descriptions and preparation notes. The wine list, organised by region, can also suggest menu pairings, as well as background information on wineries. Plus, the ‘app’ incorporates social media elements, allowing diners to share their favorite items with others via email, Twitter and Facebook.

At present, the cost of the iPad makes it a pretty expensive menu option for most eateries. Likely, high-end establishments will adopt it first, followed by the rest of the industry as the mini-notebook’s price falls. Still, the benefits of providing an interactive, digital menu is as crystal clear as the iPad’s menu pictures themselves – from freeing up waiting staff to focus on providing top-notch customer service to making individual dining experiences truly unique.

Popularity: 1% [?]