So, what do you do when...

one dining party is never, ever totally satisfied with any restaurant's food, wine, etc. and always finds fault with something or other.

E.g., last night eating at French restaurant, everyone is oohing and aahing over their dishes. Said party: I've eaten here twice, tried their regional specialties and they weren't good.

Chocolate mousse isn't dark enough; venison is too done, cook it over, but I'll keep the original and take it home; there's ice in the water; what wine are you drinking (hidden message: it's not good enough, you wine-challenged naif). Etc., etc.

Larry
A very easy answer. Round their place for a meal to see how well they can do themselves!
regards
Ian

It sounds like you need to order Tums and aspirin for dessert and, perhaps, let your guest choose the restaurant for the next outing.

We all know this person. The truth is, it's really not about the restaurant or the food -- It's about YOU (or the person who is hosting the party). This person is hell bent on showing up your inadequacies as a host and your taste in all things about which they have a crumb of knowledge. Taking a closer look, you will probably notice that they focus this negative attention on you (perhaps in subtler ways about other things) whenever there is an audience. Whenever I am in the company of such a person, I rethink the tone and nature of our friendship. My gut is never wrong. At the very least, you might want to have a talk with your other dinner guests about whether they notice it and solicit their opinions. It might be eye opening!

By dining party, I meant a "person," and not a friend, but an acquaintance. I've never invited this person to a dinner party, nor will I ever. I don't even like sitting nearby. The person just happens to be an occasional diner with a group of people I know who dine at restaurants.

By dining party, I meant a "person," and not a friend, but an acquaintance.

Yes, I understood that you meant an individual. And, by you, I mean that in the broad term of you (as either an individual or a group). I have met and know this person. They may have a single person in the group in whom they totally identify and whose company they truly appreciate. "But for the presence of all these other nitwits, this would really be a nice evening." Again, there is an audience present to whom they are trying to send a particular message and win over with their argument. My assessment, feeble though it may be, holds!