01/ 24/ 2008
by Kellé Campbell
Travel or entertaining often requires choosing the right restaurant, which can be particularly tricky in unfamiliar locations. Not only do you need to know what the food is like, but you also need to discern whether the venue is suitable for dining with business associates or better for more personal events. A good strategy is to make use of a variety of sources for restaurant recommendations, since different information resources have distinct advantages:
1. Friends and Colleagues
If friends or contacts are familiar with the area you're planning to visit, they should be able to give you recommendations along with a first-hand account of their experiences. You can even try posting questions on online business forums you may belong to (if it is permitted) since the members of your particular industry or field are in a position to understand your needs.
If you know that an individual shares your tastes, then you stand a good chance of being directed to an excellent choice. But if your source is a casual acquaintance, you should definitely verify any recommendations with other individuals or sources.
2. Hotel Concierges
It is the job of a concierge to find out about or visit all the good restaurants within driving distance of their hotel. Therefore, they will be able to direct you to any type of restaurant you desire, tell you how far it is from the hotel, and whether it is appropriate for a business meeting or for socializing. In large cities like Chicago or Beverly Hills, the concierge may even offer to fax or e-mail a list of recommended eateries with a variety of details.
At many hotels, concierges will even help you make dining arrangements before you even check in as long as you have already booked a reservation at the hotel. If there are restaurants within the hotel, the concierge will usually recommend them first, but don't be hesitant about asking about other dining options if you would prefer an alternative.
3. Newspaper and Magazine Reviews
Although seeking out a written review means that you cannot ask specific questions, you will be getting an expert's objective opinion. Reviews usually describe a venue's cuisine, decor and atmosphere, the quality of service, the price range and hours, what meals were a hit and what dishes to avoid. Many publications use a key consisting of a certain number of stars or other symbols to quickly and concisely convey information.
Nowadays, newspapers and magazines not only print their restaurant critic's reviews but also store them online, so you do not have to hunt for a particular printed issue. Your best bets are local daily, lifestyle/travel and community publications, and you can find their Web sites via NewsDirectory.com. Daily newspapers can be found in the newspaper category under "United States," and relevant magazines are in the magazine category under the travel magazine category's City/Metro and State/Regional sections.
One thing to bear in mind is that the restaurant scene is known for fast changes; chefs may leave or a place may close. So, make sure that the reviews that you look at are fairly recent.
4. Credible Web Sites
Over the years, the Web has produced a profusion of Web sites that provide restaurant reviews. Some sites even provide gift certificates for a meal or allow you to make reservations at a featured restaurant. However, not all these sites are created equal, and some may have outdated information.
Fortunately, a few sites have gained acclaim as credible sources. For example, the Web site of dining authority the Distinguished Restaurants of North America features a database of restaurants that have passed its inspection program. The database contains the type of cuisine offered by the restaurants, contact information, links to each restaurant's Web sites as well as links to OpenTable.com, a free facility for making restaurant reservations.
You can also subscribe directly to OpenTable.com. As already mentioned, the Web site provides its online reservation facility free of cost, and although it does not include reviews, its restaurant listings feature links to reviews on other sites.
People who prefer to have details all in one place should try Zagat.com, the online version of the renowned consumer survey book. The site allows users to join for free in order to scan posted menus, communicate with other members, and make online reservations. In order to see reviews and rankings or receive content on a Web-enabled mobile phone, members have to pay the premium membership fee, $2.08 per month at the time of this writing.
A positive dining experience can boost or at least maintain a client's or colleague's confidence in you, so taking the time and effort to make a good selection worthwhile. Just remember to ask your dining partners what kinds of food they like as your first step.
