This site is not meant to be a checklist of good points or essential facilities in a restaurant, nor does it attempt to give a star rating for restaurants. Instead it is designed to give space for your experiences in dining out at places that you have enjoyed eating and drinking in. Two pointers for me when reviewing a restaurant’s fare is: do they make good coffee and is the ´house wine´ enjoyable. Bad coffee is an abomination and I never go back to a place that serves second rate coffee because in nearly every instance it means that the restaurateur does not really care about his clients. Similarly, a restaurant that has a poor house wine does not care about its reputation and this surely means that they don´t care about us, the customer. I really hope that such places go out of business quickly so that they are not around so that they are unable to persuade me to try their indifferent fares and service.
One of my best eating memories was a Chinese restaurant in Liverpool, called Lou´s….
I have no idea if it still exists, but what I do know is that it had a lot of wealthy clients who were able to appreciate wonderful food and very good wine. It did not break the bank to eat there, but you knew from the outset that you would have a wonderful and memorable eating experience that would stay with you forever.
Although we don´t wish to focus upon vegetarian restaurants, some restaurants do cater very effectively for this group of people and show considerable skill in providing a tempting alternative menu for those clients who choose to maintain a vegetarian diet for whatever reason. I always think that if they really are serious about providing a vegetarian menu it should be so tempting that those amongst us who do not normally consider themselves to be vegetarian are truly tempted to try something different.
Whilst on the subject of diets or lifestyles, we should spare a thought for those of us who through necessity need a special diet, such as celiac with their intolerance of wheat germ products, or the people who have nut allergies who can become very ill or even die if they consume food with nuts as an ingredient. The restaurant that can guarantee that their clients with such critical conditions can eat there and enjoy a delightful meal and not suffer from some hidden ingredient ,then we should know that such restaurants really do care about their clientele. They should receive our acknowledgement and praise.
I have several friends who are physically challenged and this is a serious consideration when eating out. If steps need to be negotiated or the toilets do not give easy access then there is an obstacle that is not easy to overcome. Those restaurants who have given consideration to these circumstance sympathetically (as long as they also remember to serve good food, wine and coffee), definitely get my vote.
If you think that a photograph of the restaurant is worthwhile, then please send it in. We like to see what it is that you think is wonderful about your favourite eating places, and it also helps a stranger to identify the place on first sighting.
An additional feature – that might or might not be a feature of your favourite eatery – is do they have a child friendly attitude or not? Nothing ruins an experience than a child who is not made welcome. Some restaurants even offer special chairs, special cups and cutlery for children as well as a place to play. Now that is child friendly. In some cultures only lunchtime is considered a family dining time, but in others the whole family will descend on their favourite restaurant for an extended meal with everyone enjoying themselves. Please tell us about them – it is always good to know of such restaurants.
Other restaurants cater for celebratory parties in a separate area and this is useful information -so please tell us.
Occasionally, although not often, a restaurant will also have over-night accommodation and this is particularly import when encouraging people not to drink and drive. If you know of a place that has all of these features then it must stand out like a beacon and we would love to hear about them.
In order that you are able to find the place, an address and telephone number for booking a table really is essential. Imagine a stranger to your town asking you for directions to a restaurant that you can unreservedly recommend. Now tell them how to get there. Bingo! You have done everyone a magnificent service and we thank you for it.
So when giving a review try to include the features that we have outlined above, and the job is done. You will have helped to share a useful resource for those of us who enjoy the simplicity of eating well with friends or loved ones and given them the opportunity to enjoy the same lovely experiences that perhaps you now take for granted. Well done for your contribution and may the good restaurants thrive and prosper for ever, and all the rest can disappear.
One more thing; do you think you could ask a friend to do a review for us? The whole world of diners will be eternally grateful to you, honestly.
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This post was written by editor on Monday, September 22, 2008
