A Guide to Dining Unprepared

Sep 18, 2007 12:02

 I often find myself in the position of wanting to eat at a restaurant on the spur of the moment, but in an area I don't know.  While doing research is the best plan before going to dinner, sometimes you just don't have that option, you're staring at a few restaurants near each other, and trying to decide: where should I eat?  I've developed a few ( Read more... )

guides, musings, advice, food

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Comments 18

manley1 September 18 2007, 16:22:14 UTC
And, seriously, next time just buy the Zagat guide.

Or check Yelp. You can at least see what the more Internet-vociferous folks in Boston eat and what they think.

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kimmercake September 18 2007, 16:28:04 UTC
my rule of thumb is no chains and that's kind of it. but i like your guidelines too.

oh, and i second yelp. i'm so happy that site is taking off.

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throwdownartist September 18 2007, 16:30:45 UTC
Chains have their time and place (e.g. a highway rest stop), but on the whole I like to avoid them. What I'm interested in here is finding a hole in the wall, as opposed to a just plain hole.

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kimmercake September 18 2007, 16:47:27 UTC
oh i definitely agree they do. i meant the same - i'm usually looking for my next favorite place not something generic.

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manley1 September 18 2007, 16:38:29 UTC
Once in a while, I get a certain hankerin' for some chain food. That's why I was so, so happy that Kev and Tom agreed to Cracker Barrel a couple of weekends ago. I just needed some chicken and dumplings and there isn't another place around here that serves them.

There is just something oddly comforting about having some food that all tastes the same no matter where you are. It's just built into me. Probably because I have eaten enough chain food in my life so that it's mandatory.

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doceydo September 18 2007, 16:36:07 UTC
I really like the Phantom Gourmet 8 greatest book. It has a lot of restaurants I never thought to try and every single one of them that I've been to (besides one bbq place) has been spectacular. They have a few tips too, like going on a Wednesday or Thursday because they usually have the trainee chefs on the weekend since it's so busy. The more skilled chefs usually work when it's less busy. And there's usually not a wait on those nights.

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throwdownartist September 18 2007, 18:04:55 UTC
That's a really great idea, actually. I think my mom has that book at home.

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kimmercake September 18 2007, 19:00:44 UTC
i have it too if you ever feel like borrowing :)

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doceydo September 18 2007, 19:25:13 UTC
Brain and I are trying to go to every one in order (no matter where they are). It's been pretty difficult since some are in Maine and New Hampshire. But we've gone to a lot of places we never would have gone otherwise.

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throwdownartist September 18 2007, 18:05:34 UTC
A good advanced tip for people who are more comfortable talking to strangers than I am. :-)

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bluesauce September 18 2007, 19:27:51 UTC
I like. It's all good, solid, sensible advice.

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