tips on exploring new restaurants?

[andylawcc]

so instead of turning the yellow page and trying out all restaurant from A to Z, is there a better to find which restaurant is worth the money?


oops: I typed "tips on exploding new restaurants" 🙂)))

 

[rocadelpunk]

i would say pick up a local newspaper

they usually review restaurants by cost/food/atmosphere or look on some city guide webpage

can maybe make a decision by best bang for the buck or by ethnicity


::shrug::

 

[RossMAN]

Your local newspapers should have reviews of restaurants.

 

[icejunkie]

Zagat\

 

[imported_waldo]

go out at night, if it is packed with people of that culture (usually in reference to different ethnic foods), then go for it...as it is probably pretty good. If it is empty STAY AWAY!

 

[illustri]

Originally posted by: waldo
go out at night, if it is packed with people of that culture (usually in reference to different ethnic foods), then go for it...as it is probably pretty good. If it is empty STAY AWAY!

this is generally a good rule to follow, but once i drove past a sushi resturant, and it packed with caucasians... i was tempted to go in

 

[Sandor]

I usually ask around (or if I'm visiting somewhere, I'll ask bartenders, cops, or someone local where they like to eat). Also, I check out citysearch.

 

[Apathetic]

Ask around at work. Someone will always know about some little place you've never been to.

Dave

 

[rh71]

I'm a bit wary of other people's opinions on restaurants after having recommendations turn out to be bleh. We went out to a local restaurant called the Laguna Grille for Valentine's after seeing numerous good reviews on a local website for restaurants. The food was expensive, mediocre at best, and the service was deserving of a 5% tip - it wasn't even all that busy. And people said they go there 3 times a week for dinners. Another recommendation was given to us for the best Mexican restaurant around here... we waited 25 minutes for our food, which also wasn't as good as expected. They charged $6 for a little side dip of guacamole too. Yet another recommendation was a local Italian restaurant... good service, terrible food... I've never swallowed so much oil in pasta in my life.

I think some people have low expectations. If those are the best restaurants around, I'm deeply saddened. I've had better tasting food at Red Lobster or Olive Garden.

I like to stick to the chains because they are at least consistent. Local restaurants, despite being known as the best, are entirely a crapshoot.