Welcome back, Feasters! Lately, I’ve received a lot of questions about my process in reviewing restaurants, so today, I’m going to give you the inside scoop.
The life of a food reviewer is not one for the weak. There are many steps to writing a good review, all in a very short time frame.
The first thing I do is scourge the internet for new restaurants. Google can be helpful, but sometimes social media is the best place to go. I follow multiple food reviewers on Instagram and frequently check their accounts for ideas. Family and friends can also suggest places, as well as readers who submit tips. It’s important to have as many sources as you can.
Once I pick a restaurant, I make a plan on when, how, and who I will go with. These reviews have a quick turnaround time, so I always try to visit as soon as possible. Usually, I try to go in the evening with at least one other person in order to get an idea of how the restaurant runs during one of the busiest times of the day. It’s also good to have another person in order to run things by them and get their opinions for the review.
When I get to the restaurant, there are four elements I focus on: atmosphere, staff, quality of food, and price. I always have either a notebook or my notes app open; I watch everything like a hawk. The small details matter just as much as the big picture. Anything that sparks my interest, I write down. I also try to order as much off of the menu as possible in order to give as complete a review as I can of the restaurant. Usually that includes an appetizer, drink, main course, and dessert. The more people you have with you, the more food you can try.
The final step is to write the article. I always try to write a creative headline and catchy lead. A good review interests its readers while also telling the truth. It’s important to really describe everything using the five senses: touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. The readers should be able to picture the restaurant and food. Adjectives are my not-so-secret weapon. Once the review is complete, my fellow editors edit the review, and then it’s ready to be posted whenever my assigned date is!
These steps may sound simple, but you can only truly understand what it’s like if you’re living it. If you have any more questions, comment below! See you next time, Feasters!
