Hi Steve,
As far as foreign food eaten out of its country origin is concerned: have found that food that it is very rarely as good as the original as buyers don't know the authentic meal (and what they're missing) and there is a degree if 'adaptation' to meet real or imagined local tastes....or the all time classic of chop suey, a Chinese invention in US to use up left overs, show-fan is another.
I like most of all: some Arab dishes, much Thai and Malaysian, and egg and chips with mushy peas - the real thing.
I've never had a yen to own an eating house or bar - to me they are places to enjoy, not work hard to the sound of others doing what I like doing!
If you want decent food here, you generally opt for one of the better Chinese places - or an 'arm and a leg' restaurant - these are expense account places apart from a couple, which are not always reliable. The second level restaurants are ''de la moda'' for 6 months and then out of style. There is much good food cooked at home by 'domestic workers' who also clean - they are not well paid and may be required to sleep in the house. Their rights including medical insurance have been improved in the last few years, so there are some good ones who do A level equivalents and save all they can and then start university working part-time in a different job. I know one who began a Marketing degree in January.
trapio