At Eating Around Town, we post weekly lunch reviews of restaurants in Cleveland and the surrounding areas.  We take our reviews very seriously and use the categories and questions below to structure what we write (although each question won’t be answered specifically).

All opinions in the reviews are given by Joel Kirk and Chris West, as well as one innocent bystander.  On occasions, we’ll invite a guest reviewer to join us.  Each person who helps us review a restaurant follows the guidelines below to form their opinions about everything from the atmosphere to the most important factor, the FOOD.

Please note that we are not experts by any means, but we have an immense love for food and are dedicated to giving you our honest opinions about the places we review.

Place/atmosphere - Upon arrival & after seated

• What's the parking situation like?
• How were we greeted?
• How long did it take to sit?
• What is the table layout and atmosphere feel like at first impression?
• How does the place smell?
• Are the seats comfortable?
• Are the tables wobbly or too small?
• Are we excited to be there when we look around the room?
• Is the place filled with people or empty?
• Is it clean?
• Did the server greet us promptly?
• Did they bring water to the table without us asking?
• Did the server let us know about the specials?
• Did the server give us plenty of time to read the menu?
• Did the server "know" their stuff?

The Menu/Service

• Easy to read?  Not too wordy?
• Good descriptions of the food?
• Well-balanced menu?
• Pricing seem reasonable given the service and surroundings?
• Are the specials labeled in the menu?
• Does everyone else seem to be enjoying themselves?
• What is everybody else eating and drinking?
• Is everyone being served fairly?
• Was the length of time to get the food reasonable?

The FOOD

• When it comes to a table, is it presented nicely?
• What's our first bite reaction?  Does this change the more bites we take??
• Are the flavors balanced?
• What is the main dish served with?
• Did it need extra seasoning?
• Would we order it again?
• Would we want our best friend to taste this dish?
• How does this dish compare to other similar dishes we've had elsewhere?
• Is the food we're eating exciting?  How so?
• Is the food worth what we're paying for it?

Departure

• Was the process to pay easy?  Separate checks okay?
• Do they accept cash, credit or all of the above?
• Are we full or fully uncomfortable?
• Would we go back?