Tag Archives: dining

advice, editorial

Top 5 Tips For Writing Restaurant Reviews

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Today we have a special treat for Freelance-Zone readers…a post about writing restaurant reviews by someone who knows this market both inside and out. Christine Tully-Aranza is a 20+ year veteran of the restaurant industry.  She has run some of the country’s finest restaurants, including Chicago’s legendary Spiaggia.  Christine owns and operates a consulting business which provides marketing and communications direction to hospitality and retail clients. She is also a published freelance food writer and blogger. For those of you who dream of being paid to review various dining establishments, we give you:

Photo by Jeff Kauck
Photo by Jeff Kauck

5 Key Tips For Writing Fair & Informative Restaurant Reviews

by Christine Tully-Aranza

Much like those who desire to open a restaurant based solely on the fact that they like to eat out, many writers feel qualified to review restaurants based on the same. But we seldom apply this standard to other industries. I like shoes, but that does not mean I should be writing for Women’s Wear Daily.  So while the average Joe should feel free to publish his or her opinion on comment sites, those who wish to undertake the effort more seriously should always keep the following five tips in mind…

  1. Do your homework.  Contact the restaurant to see if you can obtain information about the Chef/Operators of an establishment as well as the restaurant’s brand statement (if possible) so that you can properly evaluate how well succeed at what they are trying to execute.  Thanks to the internet, most of these materials are at your fingertips on the restaurant’s website. 
  2. Do not review a restaurant the first week it is open, and visit more than once.  Most publications recognize that it takes a bit of time to work out the kinks in the imperfect world of food service, and they seldom review a restaurant in its chaotic first week. Additionally, many good reviewers will visit a restaurant more than once before penning their review.  This is one of the best ways to confirm that your initial assessments are correct.  Continue reading Top 5 Tips For Writing Restaurant Reviews →
advice, lifestyle, travel

Travel Writing: Dining

Dining

by Catherine L. Tully

When you write about travel, it usually means including something about the dining that is available in the area. If you are no expert when it comes to food, there is another way to approach things. If you don’t know the difference between a great steak and a good one, don’t pretend you do. Instead, select a few spots based on the atmosphere, or the location. The spot in the photo above would make a great inclusion for a piece on Melbourne because it is on the harbor, and many locals frequent the bar there. It gives a sense of “local color”.

Now. That said, if you are going to do travel writing seriously, you should begin to learn about food. An educated palate and knowledge of what is new or “hot” in the dining scene can make a big difference when it comes to selling articles. How do you do this? Here are some ways to get started:

  • Read. Get a subscription to one or two magazines such as Gourmet or Bon Appetit. Reading the articles in these mags will help educate you, as well as give you an idea of what the latest trends are.
  • Dine. Go out to some of the nice restaurants in the area. Take the time to really look at the menu. Ask the waiter questions. Read reviews about the places you go and see what they are saying in newspapers or magazines.
  • Take a class. Poke around and you are likely to find some cooking classes that have a Chef at the helm. Learning about food will help you to appreciate it.

If you write about travel destinations you have a responsibility to make sure you are giving your reader the best information you can. Food is one area that can be tricky, but taking some steps to educate yourself is an excellent investment. Plus, it’s fun.