Most of the time when we decide whether a dining experience was good or bad the decision is based on the food and the service. Obviously, both are very important, but last night, while dining at one of my favorite East Side restaurants, Sala da Pranzo, I realized how timing makes or breaks a meal.

The timing last night was very good. The restaurant was almost full, yet our server was very in tune with my group, and brought our drinks, bread, salad and entrees with just enough time in between to fully enjoy it and to get psyched for the food and / or drink to come.

There's nothing worse then going out to dinner and the food arrives too quickly, which happens a lot in Mexican restaurants. I've become especially annoyed by this since I've had kids. If I'm dining with adults, I want to revel in the experience of eating out without asking for crayons, wiping noses, picking chips up off the floor and so forth.

If the food arrives too early, you're left with the choice to scarf immediately and move on, or to let it sit and get cold. Neither is very appealing. I have never asked a server to bring my food back into the kitchen until I'm ready for it, because I know it would probably just dry out under heat lights.

Hence, when the timing is good at a restaurant, and I'm given the chance to sit back and enjoy my meal and beverages without feeling too rushed, or too ignored, it contributes to a great dining experience. There's an old adage that says "timing is everything," and in this case, I couldn't agree more.