>>4347392Having your subject noticeably out of focus is a big no in photography in general. So is cropping it out.
Bokeh should be controlled with distance to background, so the restaurant actually still works if you can make sure BG objects are distant. Otherwise go full product photography and shoot straight down onto well laid out tables. Use simple gobos in front of softboxes to get dappled light. it looks unusually good for food. You can make one yourself by punching holes in something opaque.
