How Do You Find Restaurants in New Cities?
#16
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If I don't know anyone in the new city, I ask the hotel staff (not necessarily the concierge) for places that they would go to (emphasizing that I want local specialties, NOT generic, homogonized or chain places).
#18
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I usually just ask my wife and she does research on the internets for me.
She is quite good, finds them through articles in the local papers mainly. I cant remember the last time I looked at Zagats. I have zero confidence in them. Likewise, in NY, now that whats his name is the food critic, I look for places he hates as likely standouts. Concierges are often a very good source as well.
Also - dont forget FT! I have found some great places, in HEL for instance, but in many other cities as well due to my FT colleagues.
She is quite good, finds them through articles in the local papers mainly. I cant remember the last time I looked at Zagats. I have zero confidence in them. Likewise, in NY, now that whats his name is the food critic, I look for places he hates as likely standouts. Concierges are often a very good source as well.
Also - dont forget FT! I have found some great places, in HEL for instance, but in many other cities as well due to my FT colleagues.
#19
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We always try to steer you in the right direction^
I'll start with Flyertalk, there have been some very good dining posts, I'll also use www.LTHforum.com
The search on chowhound sucks and my tastes haven't aligned with the "new" avg person posting on chowhound so I rarely use them anymore.
I'll see what opentable and idine have listed but by no means will that drive my choice, I'll only use them if everything aligns.
I like others above, look through local papers/resources and question local contacts to simply get a feel for how trustworthy their opinions are.
I'll start with Flyertalk, there have been some very good dining posts, I'll also use www.LTHforum.com
The search on chowhound sucks and my tastes haven't aligned with the "new" avg person posting on chowhound so I rarely use them anymore.
I'll see what opentable and idine have listed but by no means will that drive my choice, I'll only use them if everything aligns.
I like others above, look through local papers/resources and question local contacts to simply get a feel for how trustworthy their opinions are.
#20
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[................open table and iDine charge significient fees for diners......... [/QUOTE]
I used Opentable, but don't think they charge me a fee at all, let alone "significant fees".
Back to OP's question. I use popular rating sources primarily as a guide of restaurants to avoid. So far, my best sources are: local folks and sometimes concierge at hotel. I often asked where would you dine for such and such food, plus a description of your budget.
I used Opentable, but don't think they charge me a fee at all, let alone "significant fees".
Back to OP's question. I use popular rating sources primarily as a guide of restaurants to avoid. So far, my best sources are: local folks and sometimes concierge at hotel. I often asked where would you dine for such and such food, plus a description of your budget.
#22
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Back to OP's question. I use popular rating sources primarily as a guide of restaurants to avoid. So far, my best sources are: local folks and sometimes concierge at hotel. I often asked where would you dine for such and such food, plus a description of your budget.[/QUOTE]
Open table charges the restaurant a fee for the diners it provides. You own a restaurant?
#23
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I've learned to ask "where did you go on your prom or where do Mom and Dad celebrate their anniversary." Usually I get a much better local option. As always YMMV.
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#25
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nobody mentioned or considered the food, wine, or prices???????
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#27
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IIRC on a very early dark morning in Minneapolis^
http://www.hellskitcheninc.com/break...inneapolis.htm
http://www.hellskitcheninc.com/break...inneapolis.htm
#28
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Wirelessly posted (My IV to the Net: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
Do a search on my location and then type of food, I hardly ever use reviews (less then 5% of the time). Or like yesterday, just walking around I saw an interesting place and decided to come back for dinner. It was excellent, Pho Nao in Chinatown (BOS).
As someone mentioned earlier, whatever and wherever, it is always interesting.
Do a search on my location and then type of food, I hardly ever use reviews (less then 5% of the time). Or like yesterday, just walking around I saw an interesting place and decided to come back for dinner. It was excellent, Pho Nao in Chinatown (BOS).
As someone mentioned earlier, whatever and wherever, it is always interesting.
#29
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I've had success asking total strangers on the street. I've found some real gems this way. Not too many total failures.
#30
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www.yelp.com too. You can find the good little unknown places unlike the others.
looked in yelp.com at one of my favorite restaurants in alex.va. got downgraded because some guy was upset about the fact that they did not serve hard liquor, only beer and wine. big problem with no moderation. someone else did not like it beccause it was hard to find. a third was upset because the restaurant would not seat her without reservation, even though it was only half full(probably 7pm. and had a number of 730-800 res).
nobody mentioned or considered the food, wine, or prices???????
nobody mentioned or considered the food, wine, or prices???????
BUT...Yelp is really good for SF, NY, LA and Chicago but they are just penetrating other areas.
Last edited by wingless; May 30, 2008 at 4:36 pm