First off, let me warn everyone that I'm not that great of a writer. I am not like others who would elaborate on things in a very flamboyant and extremely embellished way. I do not use fancy words. I don't really care though. I just speak my mind with my own words, simple words, in my own way.
Not to scare you off that this blog is going to be an elementary-style thing, but I'm just being truthful. This is my first time to type my own thoughts, more so criticisms, and share it to internet for everyone to see. I guess this is where I tell you a little bit more about myself as a person so you will know and understand whose brain these so-called typed thoughts are coming from. I am a just a normal full-time student from a university in Tampa, FL, now in my third year of majoring in Psychology. At the same time, I work two jobs. Yeah, it is a hectic life. However, I should be thankful that I'm still breathing and I haven't dropped to the ground from brain overload malfunction or pure exhaustion. The other things you should know is that I am female, which I would say adds up to the possibility that I might be more meticulous and tend to criticize things more. I am also Asian, particularly Filipino. I was born and raised in the Philippines, hence my taste buds are very accustomed to food from the far east.
So, what exactly is this blog going to focus on? The title probably gave it away already. Yes, I am going to review restaurants. However, these restaurants must fall under certain specifications. If you live by Tampa, by the scope of the 813 area code, then you are in luck since I'll be visiting the ones nearby, which would be not more than a 20-mile radius from my place. I am just doing a food blog, not a food-and-travel-infused-together blog.
I am not just looking for good eats, but also affordable ones. Everyone would agree that money is tight nowadays and I cannot really spend a lot of money. For one restaurant, the maximum amount of money shelled out would only be around $10-$15 per person. In order to be able to taste more than just one dish or viand, I have asked my best friend to accompany me throughout my food adventure. Not only will I be able to blog about what his feedback is, but also have a comparison on the fact that he grew up in America, thus making him less accustomed to the different Asian cuisines. I am not saying that he does not have the ability to, it's just that I was born and raised in an Asian country, making me very used to and familiar with the weird tastes Asians have.
In addition, I will also not forego giving comments about the appearance and ambiance of the place. I might even be peeking in the restroom too. I presume that an excellent restaurant does not only focus on the taste of the food, but the amenities that the customers use as well. Since I am a server myself, I am also going to rate their service with 3 criteria, which would be friendliness, efficiency (includes attentiveness), and promptness (depends on how busy). I am still undecided whether I should stick to 5 Asian cuisines and visit 2 restaurants each within the ten weeks that I am planning to do this or 10 different restaurants with various cuisines. I am leaning toward the previous one since I think the latter one would be harder to have a standard rating system. Either way, I am just extremely excited to enter a restaurant and have a taste of their cuisine.
I do know that there are hundreds of sites that do restaurant reviews, heck, there might even be thousands. Although the people behind these may have different goals in doing so, may it be to let others know where to eat or where not to, what dishes to get and what to stay away from, or even to either praise or bash the owners, there is still one main interest, which is the love for food. The purpose and importance of these blog reviews are clear. Time is gold and they advise people what restaurants are worth going to so as not to waste their precious minutes. Food is a necessity, and it is definitely one thing we cannot go without. So, why not make sure that you'll enjoy what you consume? Through this blog, I would like to share with you good eats worth every penny spent.
Come tag along with me while I journey through various restaurants by the 813. (Sounds Dora the Explorer much?) Let the food adventure begin!
Hello there curious taste buds,
ReplyDeleteI do have a suggestion to a lovely restaurant that is family owned. The only difference is that it is Italian, so if you are going to do different cuisines this place would be a great start. The name is Vino E Pasta, it is located off of Gandy if you go south on Dale Mabry infront of Publix and Target. The appearance from the outside is not the best, but a person may be surprised with the wonderful service and gratitude this family shows... not to mention the food is magnificent and averages about $15 a plate. This amount of money will include everything but your drink (as a tip say no to desert and you will be surprised) No more details the rest is for you to discover.
Have fun!