Eat Write

I’m writing my first restaurant review. While I have written lots and lots about food – especially Asian food and cake – I haven’t produced a professional review before. I’m confident I’m up to the task, but I am not too proud to look for help.

First, I asked my friend Knox, a critical diner who feeds me all the time, to join me at dinner. He was the perfect companion, not just because it’s been eons since we’ve gone out together, but because he said things like, “This dish is too many different temperatures.” And he helped me gain perspective on the price, neccessary because I don’t eat expensive so much. I’m more about the “authentic” ethnic place than I am about the fancy.

I also looked for guidelines on the Internet for how, exactly, to prepare a review. I found two helpful things:

• How to write a restaurant review
  This is a handy checklist of things to take note of while you’re in the restaurant. It’s also quite useful when your server comes round to find out if you have questions. Even if I didn’t have questions myself, I found that there was something on the list I should have asked but didn’t.

• Eat like a pro
  This article contains good advice for everyone who’s eating out, but it absolutely applies to novice reviewers. I did okay, but I caved on the fancy cocktails because I could not resist the idea of jalepeno infused vodka in my lemonade. It was a hot night and that sounded Just So Refreshing. Next time, I’ll do better. Here’s hoping there is a next time.

Nope, I’m not going to tell you where we ate just yet. But I will link to the review once it goes up.

Also, in related news, I recieved a contract today to write travel articles for pay. If I had a day job, I wouldn’t quit it, but I am excited to be picking up more of this kind of work. Thanks for all your encouragement.
[tags]restaurant, fine dining, writing, reviews, big foofy cocktails, travel writing[/tags]