Learning to Chew

What constitutes a good restaurant/eatery? What goes into selecting where to nosh? What's worth knowing and what's just garnish? These questions are the basis of this (very) modest publication. To make it clear how restaurants will be evaluated, I've compiled a list of a few things people want to know before they go out to eat.

The Cost: Hungry isn't synonymous with careless. The price, for most people, is more limiting than any other factor when deciding where to munch. As tasty as that steak looks, it's not always cost effective or in the budget. Are there specials available? Another prudent question when lunch time is looming.

The Food: Is it tasty? No one wants to pay money for undercooked or otherwise unsatisfactory food. How much variety is there on the menu? Is it Vegan or Vegetarian friendly? A wide selection makes a restaurant worth frequenting and a place that can accommodate everyone equally is always good to know about. Most importantly though, does something stand out? Best Gyro? Best Hot dogs? Worth knowing about!

The Service: Is the server as likely to spit in your food as to shake your hand? Angry and possibly violent? Did s/he greet you with a scowl? How long after you ordered did the food arrive? Good food can only go so far to make a patron overlook poor service.

The Ambiance: This is typically overlooked by most folks. That is, until they arrive at that great restaurant they've heard so much about with their loved ones and it turns out to be a dump. People don't propose at your local McDonald's (most of the time) either. The way an eatery looks and smells, the sounds inside, are all going to effect how pleasurable your visit is.

Availability: When is the dining room open? Can you only visit during a specific season? A lot of people make the mistake of going out to their favorite diner, only to realize its been closed for several hours. Availability is important because if you can't get in, what else matters?

Posts here will be informative, as well as critical and appraising. I'm not just out to find the best or worst restaurants in Bay Ridge, but to sample everything the neighborhood has to offer. There's a smorgasbord of places to eat between top and bottom which deserve attention. Different occasions demand different things. Got a date? You might want to look up Sofia's. Looking for an amazing milk shake? Maybe you need to take a trip to Hinsch's. There's an eatery here for every situation and I'll help you find it.