Traditional casual restaurants are fighting a losing battle against the force of fast casual dining. In a bid to defend it, new technologies are streamlining the experience – from easier ordering to speedier servers. Can tabletop ordering prove a hit with restaurants and customers alike?

The French are furious over British food critic Jay Rayner's mockery of their finest restaurant, Le Cinq. The review itself is excessively harsh on the restaurant and although the French media have taken considerable offence, it's making great entertainment content for the public.

Research has found that waiting longer periods of time or travelling further before writing an online review makes people speak more favorably about a restaurant. Reviews are important in customer decision-making and these findings could influence when restaurants should ask for feedback.

How much should you tip? It's a question that's plagued diners for decades. While different countries have varying tipping cultures, the US has historically been on the generous side. But some American restaurants are abandoning gratuity altogether in an attempt to make hospitality payments fairer.