Stefano Bruno (DiStefano Cheese) & Nancy Siliverton (Mozza Group)
From our perspective, dining out falls into two main types: “Epic” and all other dining. “Epic” is very specific to the highest of the high-end dining culture. Typically these meals involve many courses, usually in a tasting menu format. It’s a food event and every aspect of the meal, from taste, to plating, to service, to pairings is reviewed and considered. For “Epic” dining we use a 100 point scale and use two ratings: Overall (price neutral) and Four Star (w/ price factored in). The details of the ratings and the tiers can be found here.
For all other types of dining, from high-end steakhouses down to street tacos, we will use a different rating system using a four star rating scale (★★★★) across two ratings: Overall (price neutral) and Four Star (w/ price factored in). Below is a summary of what each rating means:
Overall Rating: This rating is basically the first impression of the meal before you get the bill. It takes into account the food, the atmosphere, the service, etc. Was the meal memorable? Will you be recommending it to friends? Do you want to go back ASAP?
- One star (★☆☆☆) Not very good. Might be getting good press, but not worth it from our standpoint.
- Two star (★★☆☆) Solid. Quality food. Worth visiting, but don’t plan your day around it.
- Three star (★★★☆) Very good. Excellent food and overall experience. Worth going to multiple times.
- Four star (★★★★) Exceptional. When can I come here again? Have you been? You have to go!
Four Star Rating: This rating starts with the rating above but then factors in the bill. Are you getting what you pay for? A $500 meal better be spectacular. A $5 taco might by the best deal in town.
- One star (★☆☆☆) Rip off. Way overpriced and not-great food.
- Two star (★★☆☆) Fair. You get what you pay for (or maybe a touch on the high side.)
- Three star (★★★☆) Good deal. Either great food at non-nosebleed prices or very good food on the cheap!
- Four star (★★★★) Great deal! Exceptional food at a reasonable price. Great bang for your buck!
We will be using these ratings for our “Local Flavor” articles, which are focused on famous, important, and hot, new restaurants in different cities. We will purposefully not be reviewing any large, restaurant chains.
Enjoy and let us know what you think!