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With a fork in one hand and a pen in the other, let’s dive in: Artie’s Hometown Diner

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September 28, 2019

With a fork in one hand and a pen in the other, let’s dive in: Artie’s Hometown Diner

Artie’s Hometown Diner is a quaint restaurant in Pulaski, NY. Walking through Pulaski is a dream come true for those that love small towns, which I do! My husband and I stumbled upon Pulaski a few years back while vacationing in Orwell, NY. During our trip, we found ourselves craving breakfast out. Pulaski seemed to be the closest option. So, we drove down the curvy, country roads between our cottage and the town. Once inside, we sought out a little diner and as luck would have it, we found Artie’s. Artie’s Hometown Diner is by far the best diner we have ever been to! We were blown away by the locals, the cozy small-town atmosphere, and of course the food! As proof of our admiration, we returned for our honeymoon last year in an effort to recapture the magic Pulaski (and Artie’s) left on us. They cast a spell on us from the first moment we arrived and we will forever be under it.

Insider scoop from the owners

I had the pleasure of communicating with Maria, one of the owners, and she was kind enough to share their story with me.

Maria informed me that this had been a diner even before she and Art bought it. The locals referred to it as “the place to be” especially if they wanted to play pool or enjoy the old-time soda fountain. Art and Maria moved to the Pulaski area 12 years ago when Art was relocated for work and as an added bonus they were able to be closer to his mother. Even with the move, Art still had to commute to and from work which meant a lot of time away from his family.

Their first attempt at buying the diner from the previous owner, Kathy, was unsuccessful as she was not quite ready to sell. The pair then opened a diner in Lacona which remained open for two years. However, Art still had his commute keeping him away from home much of the time. Two weeks after closing their doors and moving back to town, their luck began to change! Kathy was ready to sell and as Maria explains, 10 months later they had taken over Artie’s diner.

Maria then tells me about how this has changed things for the whole family, “People ask us all the time how it is to work together, our response is we spent 4 years pretty much being apart so we really appreciate the fact that we get to do this together. Art missed basically 4 years of our youngest son’s life. Something he can’t get back, but now we close early, except Friday’s, he can go to every sporting event Sammy has and enjoy our family”.

The Atmosphere at Artie’s

Artie’s is located on Jefferson Street in Pulaski, NY. It is one of the many businesses attached side by side in that charming small-town way. The inside is quaintly decorated in the “country star” theme combined with local charm and wood accents. You can choose to sit at booths, tables with chairs, or you may even get lucky enough to nab a counter seat. Hanging on the walls you will find a collection of vintage and modern decor pieces including black and white photos of local life, paintings, and other appropriate wall decor. The service is wonderful and attentive, even during peak hours. Depending on the seat, you may be able to watch the kitchen staff hard at work through the pass. Artie’s Hometown Diner is open 6 am to 2:30 pm every day, except on Fridays when they stay open till 8 pm.

The Food at Artie’s

Breakfasts at Artie’s are impeccable. Their menu is extensive and includes omelets, French toast, pancakes, and eggs. They also offer specialty sandwiches, burgers, hotdogs, and wraps. For me, the specials menu is a must-try! The biscuits and gravy are downright delicious! The biscuits are made in house and the gravy is perfectly thick and seasoned.

The eggs benedict should also be found on the specials menu. I had never tried this dish anywhere else before, but I loved it! The sauce is homemade and creamy. Both of these dishes are truly made with love!

Their other fabulous breakfast items include toast (made from your choice of their homemade or regular bread), home fries, bacon, and coffee. The home fries are beautifully seasoned and cooked to perfection!

My Final Recommendation

I definitely recommend checking out Artie’s Hometown Dinner if you’re ever in the Pulaski area. They serve out of this world breakfasts for fair prices and great service. This is a small town diner with all the charms that are not to be missed!

North Jefferson Street

4860 N Jefferson StPulaski, New York

www.facebook.com/Arties-Hometown-Diner-497458087055727/

Why Don’t Dupe Recipes Taste Like Restaurant Recipes?

Ossiana Tepfenhart

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September 26, 2019

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Why Don’t Dupe Recipes Taste Like Restaurant Recipes?

Did you ever go to a restaurant, adore the food, bought a cookbook with their restaurant recipes, and try to recreate what you had? If you did in hopes of getting the same dish you loved eating, you might have noticed that it didn’t really live up to your expectations. It’s disappointing, to say the least.

Many restaurant-goers seek out dupe recipes that claim to taste “just like” their favorite meals, only to have their hopes dashed by dinnertime. Believe it or not, there are several reasons as to why the home-cooked restaurant versions never seem to taste right…

Restaurant Kitchen — Photo by **Elle Hughes** from **Pexels**

Flats

In most restaurants, recipes aren’t done dish by dish. Many restaurant meals are prepped in bulk batches called “flats,” then are put together and cooked when it’s time to serve them. The bulk preparation means that ingredient quantities aren’t always going to match up with the smaller portions one would use in a regular home-cooked meal.

While restaurant recipe books can try to give similar proportions, the truth is that it’s exceedingly hard to nail down that exact flavor when you’re going from kilograms to cups. Large batch cooking also means cooking times differ, which in turn, can cause food to have a slightly different texture as well.

Technology

I’ll be honest—restaurants are kind of cheating when it comes to the way they prepare food. Most people don’t have the type of technology that restaurants rely on at home. They have sous vides that are designed to cook meats and stews to perfection. They have high-grade food processors. Some even have equipment that lets you vaporize food!

If you’re looking to recreate food made in a super-techy restaurant, you’ll be disappointed. The recipes in their cookbooks are designed for home use, and therefore won’t use the same methods. As a result, the food will rarely (if ever) taste the same.

Trade Secrets

If you were a restaurant owner who was famous for a particular dish, would you ever give that recipe away? Of course not! It would be foolish to publish it anywhere, because competitors would want to get a sneak peek at it. It also would potentially hurt your restaurant’s ability to keep clients in the door.

Even if restaurants do put together epic cookbooks, it’s extremely rare that you’ll find a recipe that’s pulled directly from the kitchen for this reason. It simply doesn’t make financial sense to do so. What usually happens with the “from the kitchen recipes” is that the writers of the book tend to leave our an ingredient that gives it flavor, or make subtle changes to the recipe. This will make the food taste good, but not taste identical to the stuff you enjoyed at the table.

Skill

Finally, the last reason why restaurant recipe books tend to disappoint is because of the skill level they’re written for. Chefs undergo years of training to learn how to prepare the dishes we adore, and so do most kitchen staff. Most restaurant-goers don’t have any formal training in culinary arts.

Chef-level cookbooks are a whole ‘nother animal compared to the ones you pick up at Whole Foods. In order to make restaurant recipes seem approachable to the masses, writers of cookbooks have to change some of the techniques and terms used in them. This, unfortunately, often takes away from the quality of the food.

Though it may seem like I’m bashing restaurant cookbooks, I’m really not. They offer a great way to learn how to make awesome meals and also act as a great gift for fans of upscale dining. However, it’s important to realize that you can only do so much in a typical kitchen—and cookbook writers have to work with what you have available to you, too.

How To Critique Restaurant Service Like A Professional: The Food

Ossiana Tepfenhart

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September 24, 2019

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How To Critique Restaurant Service Like A Professional: The Food

At the heart of every restaurant is their food. Bad food means you’re dealing with a pretty terrible or even dangerous establishment. As a food critic, it’s my job to keep people from eating at venues that don’t have their best interest in mind.

You might be curious about what foodies like myself notice when they are out and about. Here’s a quick list of some of the things I look for when I’m reviewing a restaurant.

Freshness

Without fresh food, a restaurant has nothing. Bad food can and has killed people before. So, I always start with examining the food for signs of less-than-fresh dishes. Some signs are easy to

Fishy smells at seafood or sushi restaurants, for example, are a dead giveaway that the food they’re making isn’t fresh. Wilted lettuce, squishy fruit, stale bread, and food that just doesn’t taste right are dead giveaways.

Some signs of bad food aren’t that blatant. I take notice of special menus that have certain meats or vegetables as main themes. This is a sign that restaurants are making an effort to get rid of stock before it expires!

Ingredients and Sourcing

I’ll admit it, I’m a huge fan of seeing menus that involve exotic ingredients and foods that have their sourcer plainly written for all to see. Why? Because it a sign that the restaurant is dedicated to getting good ingredients, and shows a desire to push the envelope when it comes to menu creation.

That being said, I do try to avoid “trendy” ingredients like truffle or sriracha. These are often used as a marketing technique to grab the attention of others, rather than actually deliver flavor.

Food Taste

What’s a good meal that doesn’t taste great? Nothing, that’s what. At the end of the day, if the food doesn’t taste good, it’s not a good restaurant. No amount of fresh ingredients or cool ideas can make up for food that tastes foul or feels strange in your mouth. It’s really just that simple.

Presentation

Prior to being a food critic, I worked at an online restaurant that shipped foods across the country. To give people an idea of what they’d get, they’d take pictures. One of the photos that was put up looked like cat vomit. The food itself tasted great, but no one wanted to order it due to its appearance.

What I’m saying is that presentation matters. It matters a lot, actually. If the food looks like it was slopped on a plate without a second thought, I won’t be a happy foodie—nor would food bloggers who wanted to add a new shot on their ‘gram.

Menu Decisions

The menu of a venue also can serve as a warning to others. A good rule of thumb among critics is that no menu should be over three pages long. This indicates that the kitchen hasn’t mastered any dishes, or has too many ingredients to actually keep things fresh.

Similarly, a menu that relies on cheese and butter tends to be a warning to me. Fats taste great, but they are often used as a way to avoid skill or cheapen the ingredients that are being served to you. As a result, it’s best to avoid places that regularly push large amounts of grease.

Specializing in a certain type of food tends to be a good sign of a great restaurant. It means that the kitchen knows what they’re doing and will cultivate a menu that works with the brand well.

My Bottom Line

A restaurant critic’s main interest is the food, and they know what to look for when they’re eating out. Freshness, flavor, and presentation are the most important parts of a dining experience, and if you don’t have that, you have nothing at all.

Aioli Gourmet Burgers Food Truck

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September 21, 2019

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Phoenix: The fifth most populous city in the United States and the capital of Arizona

Aioli Gourmet Burgers Food Truck: The address of the best burger in Phoenix.

Today we will visit Aioli Gourmet Burgers Food Truck in our series of “the best food trucks in USA” at fooddrinkmagazine .com.

Tommy D’Ambrosio , Kyle Hollenbeck and Michael Cartolano

They are, three life-long friends who had one goal in mind: to create a quality product and bring it to hungry people throughout the valley.

And, they wanted to create a burger concept that would stand out from the competition here in the Valley. Immediately they realized that it really needs to be about the ingredients and how they can combine them to create burgers that their patrons have not experienced yet.

Chef Tom pulled from his fine dining roots and created a menu that had flavors of classic dishes that he had prepared during his career. For example, Black n Blue burger is toped with blue cheese, arugula and black pepper aioli. This is something that you would find at a steak house over a filet. They have always tried to keep their menu fun and exciting.

Aioli Burger started with one food truck in Phoenix, grew into three, became a full catering company, and now they have brick and mortar location. Each member brought different skills to the table, allowing them to turn their life-long dream of owning a restaurant into a reality.

A little back round on their Chef/Owner Tom D’Ambrosio he is a graduate from the Culinary Institute of America and has over a decade of fine dining experience. He was also crowned Chopped Champion on The Food Network in January of 2019 on the episode Tacos & Tequila! Being born and raised in Arizona, Chef Tommy was happy to come back to his hometown and start, own, and operate one of the fastest growing food truck experiences in Arizona. Chef Tommy has also led Aioli brand into the winners’ circle of state & national competitions such as Arizona’s Burger Battle, Phoenix Devoured, and Scottsdale Culinary Classic Events.

Also, a little back round on their Owner/Director of Marketing & Sales Kyle Hollenbeck who grew up with the other two partners in the Shadow Mountain area which was a big reason Kyle wanted to have the first Aioli Burgers location near the school. He has a strong background in advertisement marketing which has helped the business grow exponentially. Multi-tasking is the name of the game for his position at Aioli Gourmet Burgers. He will help work with you on any food truck or catering bookings, and you will see him around the restaurant as he works out of there. Kyle wants to always make sure you have the best experience when dining with us and/or having us cater your special event.

The third partner Michael Cartolano was the creative behind the design of all of graphics and restaurant design. He also helps with the financials!

Aioli Gourmet Burgers and Catering started with a food truck and something delicious to deliver; it has now grown into multiple food trucks, fully catered experiences, and one of the best burger joints in Phoenix located at 32nd Street & Shea in Paradise Valley! Whether you’re in the mood for a juicy burger, a fresh salad, or a refreshing shake, there is something on the menu for everyone. Aioli Burger recently made ABC 15’s list of five burgers you must try in Arizona with the truffle burger coming in at #4. Also, their food truck in Phoenix is a regular on ABC 15’s A-List for food trucks in the valley. What makes Aioli Burger stand apart from the competition is their dedication to creating delicious new combinations of flavors for a truly unique burger experience. They use the freshest, locally sourced ingredients to create mouthwatering, award-winning creations that you simply must taste for yourself!

We have come to the end of what we have to say . Now it is your turn. If you go to Phoenix and if you want to eat a delicious burger, we definitely recommend Aioli Gourmet Burgers Food Truck. Please do not forget to write your comments and like the video.

N 32nd St

https://www.aioliburger.com

10652 N 32nd St. Phoenix, AZ 85028

7 Ethnic Cuisines That Are Woefully Underrated

Ossiana Tepfenhart

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September 20, 2019

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7 Ethnic Cuisines That Are Woefully Underrated

This millennium has given us a golden age of food. People are more willing to experiment with restaurants than ever before, and this means that restaurants are becoming more diverse than ever before. You can get sushi, Thai fare, South American cuisine, and even Indian foods in most towns.

More nationalities than ever are getting the culinary representation they deserve, but still, some cuisines are still slipping through the cracks. It’s time to change that, and open up diners’ eyes to the beauty that is international cuisine. Speaking as a foodie, I’ve found that these genres are the ones that really deserve more love than they get…

Indonesian

If you’re a fan of Indian or Thai cuisine, trying this ethnic treat will be a major treat!Indonesian food is spicy, savory, and aromatic as can be. If you’re a fan of curries, rich sauces, and food that’s just ever so slightly smoky, you need to try this cuisine out. A good beef rendang will make you a believer, that’s for sure!

Hawaiian

You don’t have to be a native to enjoy the flavorful island taste of Hawaiian food. Poke bowls, a classic Hawaiian treat, have started to gain a lot of traction on the mainland, but why stop there? This island wonderland has so much to offer, most of which hasn’t caught on with us haolies just yet. My personal favorite? Hawaiian BBQ pork, served alongside those chi-chis Elvis adored so much as a drink.

Russian

Speaking as an Eastern European person, I always found it criminal how much people seem to enjoy hating on Russian food. Russian food is delicious, especially if you’re a fan of creamy, sour, or savory flavor profiles. Borscht is a wonderful choice for sour fans, while Russian ravioli known as pelmeni would be a great pick for folks who want a meaty, decadent bite to eat. More adventurous diners might want to give caviar a try, if you have the wallet for it, anyway.

Peruvian

Everyone’s had Tex-Mex these days, but South American cuisine still has yet to see that same massive popularity boom. Peruvian cuisine is slowly getting more recognition, but it still hasn’t gotten the full applause it deserves. Tangy ceviche, decadently tasty lomo saltado, and some of the best spicy sauces you’ll ever taste are what make this such a great choice.

Moroccan

For the life of me, I don’t understand how Moroccan cuisine hasn’t swept through the United States like wildfire. Its notable flavor profile combines sweetness with umami and just a little, barely-there kick of spice that’s completely and totally unique. If you haven’t yet, give a tagine a try or chow down on some spiced rice. You’ll never want to stop eating!

Egyptian

Fans of Mediterranean food will immediately fall in love with Egyptian restaurants’ menus. Along with classic Middle Eastern dishes like hummus, shwarma, falafel, and chopped salads, diners will get to try some more unique plates like ful, rice-stuffed vegetables, and pasta. If you’re a fan of mac and cheese, I’d strongly suggest trying a creamy bowl of macaroni bechamel—a national comfort food.

Afghani

Afghanistan’s cuisine is one that’s exceedingly difficult to find stateside, but oh, so worth it. This cuisine blends many of the spices found in Indian fare with flavor profiles that are more closely associated with Middle Eastern and Greek cultures. The end result is plate after plate of spicy, flavorful, and downright addictive goodness. I’d strongly suggest trying chopped salads, manti, and having some of their deliciously spicy soups if you have room.

Italian Street Food (That Everyone Should Try)

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September 19, 2019

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Italian Street Food (That Everyone Should Try)

Let’s face it, most people go to Italy to try the famous Italian pizza and pasta. Little do they know, that they should be trying Italian street food as well! Different street food originated from different regions around Italy. However, now most of them are spreading to other regions in Italy and one can even find some street food in other countries. Let’s have a look at some of the most popular street food one is most likely to find in Italy.

1.) Pesce Fritto al Cono – Ice cream is not the only food served in a cone! These delicious cones are filled with deep fried seafood and they are served in many port towns in Italy. This is because the seafood they serve is usually freshly delivered straight from fishing boats each morning. They are then tossed into batter, deep fried, and voila! You have a mixture of seafood to eat whilst you’re wandering around.

2.) Arancini – Originating on the island of Sicily, arancini are golden deep-fried rice balls filled with various different savoury ingredients. However, they are most commonly filled with meat ragu, melted cheese and peas. These golden balls have the shape, and sometimes even the colour, of little oranges. Hence, the Italian term, arancini.

3.) Piadina – This dish is typical of Emilia-Romagna, but it can now be found all over Italy and in other countries in the world. A piadina is a flatbread made of flour, olive oil, salt and water and it an be either served on its own or stuffed with any ingredient your heart desires. Thus, it can easily be made vegetarian. The simpler the fillings, the more you can taste the scrumptious piadina!

4.) Olive All’Ascolana – These lightly breaded olives are filled with ground meat, coated with bread crumbs and then fried. This is surely a unique must-try street food, especially if one is wandering around the region of Le Marche, where they originated. These olives are typically served at different wine bars and trattorie. However, these green olives are a special variation which are only grown in this region.

5.) Panzerotti – With its origins in Puglia and often compared to calzone, this half moon-shaped pastry is usually made of soft dough and is filled with a mix of cheeses and tomatoes. This pastry is then fried until it becomes crispy and a bit flaky on the outside, but soft and with melted cheese on the inside, like hot pockets. Although originating as a type of street food, Panzerotti are also served in restaurants nowadays.

Well, the Italians do love their carbs! The good thing about Italian street food is that if you’re out and about and looking for a quick, cheap and filling snack, this food is the right way to go!

References

Conde Nast Traveler. (2014). The Best Street Food in Italy – https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-09-17/the-best-street-food-in-italy

Finedining Lovers, Traditional Italian Food (2013) – https://www.finedininglovers.com/article/italian-stuffed-olives-allascolana

How To Critique Restaurant Service Like A Professional: The Kitchen

Ossiana Tepfenhart

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September 16, 2019

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How To Critique Restaurant Service Like A Professional: The Kitchen

Fun fact here—restaurant critics will often tour the kitchen to get a better feeling of what’s going on. It’s a lot like Kitchen Nightmares, really. As someone who’s done a tour of multiple kitchens, I can tell you that the kitchen’s cleanliness often makes or breaks my interest in a venue.

You might not be able to tour a kitchen all the time, but it’s still something that’s worth writing about. In this arc, I’m telling everyone about the do’s and don’t of kitchen life. Here’s my critic-approved list of what to watch out for when you’re in (or near) a kitchen…

Cleanliness

I once “accidentally” dropped in a kitchen of a venue I was rating, and immediately left after seeing a kitchen covered in stains. I had every right to, too. Kitchens that aren’t clean come with a litany of problems associated with them.

A clean kitchen is a kitchen that keeps people from getting sick. It’s also a sign that you won’t end up with flavors that don’t mesh well messing with your food, or worse, find wildlife in your dinner. If it doesn’t look clean, it’s not clean. If it doesn’t smell clean, it’s also not clean. Don’t mess with unclean restaurants, please!

Food Practices

Would you ever want to pay to eat a meal that’s been sitting out on a counter for half an hour? I’m willing to guess you wouldn’t. Yet, a lot of restaurants do this on a regular basis. Many restaurants also store vegetables with meats, mix cutting boards, and use microwaves to reheat foods.

This. Is. Not. Okay. At best, you’re paying $10 or more for a microwave meal. At worst, you are putting your health at risk. Cooking food safely and serving it immediately is crucial to a restaurant’s value. If it’s not cooked properly, it’s not something you should ever eat.

Temperature

Here’s a good way to determine whether the kitchen’s doing its job properly: check out the temperature of the food that you’re being served. Hot meals should be hot, cold meals should be cold, and sushi should be room temperature.

Unevenly heated food is a telltale sign of microwaving, which is never acceptable. If you’re unsure of ingredient freshness, check out the mozzarella. Mozzarella should be room temperature, not chilled. Chilled mozzarella is a sign of improper food storage that can detract from flavors you want to taste.

Teamwork

Kitchens, by nature, are very chaotic. There’s a lot of food being prepped, a lot of people running around, and things that need to be done. That’s why it’s so important (and impressive) to see a kitchen that runs like a well-oiled machine.

Kitchens that don’t have effective teams are kitchens that make disastrous food. I’ve personally witnessed screaming matches behind the scenes, as well as literal food fights. Needless to say, I was rightfully leery of actually eating anything on the menu.

My Bottom Line

The kitchen is the most important room in any restaurant. If things aren’t working out well there, you should never eat at that venue. If you want to play it safe, stick to venues that have a visible window into the kitchen. You can’t hide anything from clients if they can watch you!

10 unbelievable coffee facts you surely didn’t know before

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September 13, 2019

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10 unbelievable coffee facts you surely didn’t know before

Read about 10 remarkable facts on the most popular beverage in the world.

There’s a blend of coffee made from animal feces

Kopi Luwak — Kopi luwak ( Civet Coffee)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Farmers in some parts of Indonesia extract coffee beans in the most peculiar manner imaginable and then sell it for over $600 dollars a pound too. They feed the coffee-fruit to a weasel-resembling animal that is not able to digest the fruit’s seeds. The indigestible seeds are then excreted out by the animal and the farmers collect their droppings, take the seeds out, wash them and clean them dry. These seeds are the coffee beans!

65% of the world’s coffee is consumed by 3 countries

That’s right. America, France and Germany alone import more than half of the coffee produced in the whole world every year.

Who said coffee beans are actually beans?

Yes, coffee beans resemble beans a lot but the reality is that coffea plants produce seeded fruits and inside them are these fruit-pits that later become the ‘coffee beans’ after extraction and drying. Coffee beans, therefore, are actually seeds.

A tea-party propelled coffee into America

“The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor”, lithograph depicting the 1773 Boston Tea Party
Source: Wikimedia Commons

It was 1773 when a secret American organization sank a whole shipment of English-brought tea into the depths of the Atlantic near Boston successfully promoting coffee as a national symbol of resistance to the colonialists. It formed the basis of modern American obsession with coffee.

Coffee is the new diesel

Just like bio-fuel from cow-dung helps produce natural gas, coffee grounds have also been experimented on successfully to turn them into usable eco-friendly fuel.

Coffee was banned for inciting intellectualism

Yes, you read that right. Coffee was banned during the 1700s and before for increasing brain activity and provoking too much intellectualism. Many regimes blamed it for the rebellious school of thoughts that were budding out in their countries.

Coffee assures health and a long life

Coffee makes your body immune to chronic diseases like diabetes, mental diseases like Parkinson’s and improving your immunity against the developments of heart-diseases. It also regulates the sugar levels in your blood stream and helps blood flow in a normal pressure.

Decaf isn’t perfectly free of caffeine

Contrary to what many believe, decafs still has a great deal of caffeine content. To be exact, 2 to 12 mgs of caffeine are still present in a normal serving of decaf while a regular coffee cup contains 95 to 200 mgs of caffeine.

Clear skin

Many people have found coffee to be helpful in improving the blood circulation around the outer layers of their skin, improving detoxification and making it clear. The dead epithelial cells buried in the outer skin also get removed easily with coffee.

1 Calorie Coffee

A simple serving of black coffee has nothing but a single calorie. It is a great beverage to help you stay put on your calorie-control diet. Not only will it provide you the energy to go through your day, but will also make no significant dent on your daily calorie-intake.

How To Critique Restaurant Service Like A Professional: The Service

Ossiana Tepfenhart

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September 12, 2019

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How To Critique Restaurant Service Like A Professional: The Service

Around eight years ago, I first started my job as a food critic at MetNights Magazine. It was unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced, and honestly, it taught me more about food, nightlife, and business than I ever thought possible. It’s one of the most striking jobs I’ve ever had, not just because of the knowledge, but because of the opinions people want from you.

I quickly learned, for example, that people really do want to know what professionals notice when we hit a venue. I can’t name how many times I’ve been asked for an opinion on a favorite restaurant or the “inside scoop” on a diner that’s generating buzz.

So, I decided it’s time to come clean about what really matters to me as a critic when I go out to eat. Here’s how to see things through this food worker’s eyes, and why it all matters. In this chapter of this multi-article arc, I’m going to explain what ticks off restaurant critics the most.

Acceptance

Believe it or not, there are very few things restaurant critics notice more than the way venue staff members treat their clientele. Nothing is quite as aggravating or infuriating as seeing a fancy restaurant that makes a point of turning away clients just because “they don’t look like they belong there.”

I honestly believe that the best restaurants are the ones that welcome you with open arms, regardless of who you are. Giving great service means you never should feel like you’re being talked down to by the waitstaff, or being excluded based on your appearance.

On one occasion, I went to a Jersey Shore venue that refused to seat me after they realized my non-white work partner wasn’t looking for a job there. The waiter didn’t realize that the restaurant’s PR firm hired me to dispel rumors of racism.

By the time we left, we had three frantic phone calls begging me for a do-over, as well as a text message claiming I “forgot my bottle of Remy” at the bar. I ended up blocking the number and trashing the review.

Knowledge

Regular restaurant-goers don’t really ask waiters about their suggestions or knowledge of the food, and if you ask me, that’s criminal. Waitstaff knowledge about the food, cooking process, and culture is the hallmark of a great restaurant. It shows passion. It can also guide you to a better meal.

If you want to rate a restaurant like a hired critic, quiz the waiters on what pairings would go well with dishes, ask them where food was sourced from, or ask them which dish is their favorite. If they can’t come up with an answer, chances are that the restaurant can’t retain good staff on hand.

Speed

In France, restaurants are places where you’re expected to spend hours over a meal. American dining isn’t like that, and honestly, the pace of life here wouldn’t allow for it in most cases, anyway. So, speed is important.

I generally turn away food that’s brought out after a 45-minute wait. Unless it’s a traditional French restaurant, that amount of time is unacceptable. Most restaurants can work it within a matter of 20 to 30 minutes, sometimes less.

That being said, bringing out a main dish five minutes post-order isn’t a good sign either. This indicates that they may be microwaving your food behind the scenes, or worse, serving you food that’s been cooking for hours.

Etiquette

I’ll be honest, etiquette doesn’t bother me much when I’m reviewing a casual dining establishment. It’s not a place where etiquette really belongs, aside from just not being rude.

However, when you’re dealing with fine dining, I will notice if waiters aren’t serving on the right side or laying out cutlery properly. After all, at these places, you’re paying for the experience and service just as much as the food itself.

My Bottom Line

If you feel like you’re being looked down on by a restaurant, or being served at the waiter’s leisure, you have a problem. Otherwise, you should be good to go. It’s really that simple.

The Rising Aroma of Street Food in Canada

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September 11, 2019

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The Rising Aroma of Street Food in Canada

Canada is a diverse multi-cultural group of inhabitants. They bring a vast variety of cultures and tastes to our population. Whether it is history, language or the people’s themselves they offer us a wealth of life experience. One of the ways that they enrich us is through food-street food.

Just what is street food? It is generally considered to be ready to eat food stuff sold by a hawker or vendor located in a public place such as a portable booth, mobile food cart or vehicle such as a food truck.(Wikipedia) We normally associate these places as serving only hot dogs and finger foods. They have advanced beyond to offer so much more. Depending on the geographical area you are in, you may find an unlimited array of choices in street foods.

What types of foods can you purchase there?

Trust me when I tell you that these choices go far beyond simple quick food stuffs. You can find everything from coffee and snacks up to and including entire gourmet meals. Whatever your tastes in cuisine you will find it. The sheer scope of food choices will boggle the mind. Feeling adventurous? How about grilled octopus? Not into meat? There are plenty of vegan options. Are you thinking Asian? No problem. Ever have prairie oysters? I will leave that up to you to discover for yourself. There is simply no denying what your taste buds crave.

Why are street foods so popular?

Street foods in Canada are extremely popular. An article from Ibis World (July 2019) predicts that the trend toward this style of dining will only increase over the next few years. Why? Street foods appeal to consumers for a number of reasons. First,they are affordable. Low overhead costs from the vendors means that the savings can be passed on to the buyer. Second, the wide variety of choices available. Food buyers can find higher quality, budget friendly fare to suit every taste.

Food Vendors Vancouver — Wikimedia Commons

Where can you find street foods in Canada?

Street foods can be found from the Atlantic to the Pacific on this great land mass we call Canada. CultureTrip.com in their 2017 report lists a number of food attractions from Vancouver, British Columbia on the west coast over to Halifax on the east coast and everywhere in between. The type and style of street food goes beyond a simple stationery food stand. There are entire food festivals for anyone to take part in. And if food isn’t enough, take in some live entertainment or fun and games for the kids. You are sure to find something for the entire family at one of these venues. Because of the reality of winter here in Canada most street food vendors will operate seasonally from May to October. Some will run one day a week, others daily, some once per month. Many, because they are so mobile move from place to place always on the lookout for the most opportune situation to set up operations. You may even be fortunate to find a food kiosk that operates all year round. Be on the lookout for one of many located to serve you with their tasty wares.

Night Market Chinatown — Wikimedia Commons

Canadians do love food. With our multi-cultural roots and peoples there is no accounting for good taste and good eating. Street food is very popular here in Canada and will continue to be for years to come. With a great variety of vendors and locations there is certain to be something for everyone. Go out and locate a vendor and try some delicious street food today!