Here’s the criteria we’re using to evaluate the restaurants we visit.
Localness 1-5
1: A locally owned restaurant or one that supports the local economy.
2: Mentions using locally produced/sourced items but upon visiting, you discover the menu doesn’t match the website.
3: The advertising is true! There really are some items that are locally sourced.
4: At least 50% of the items are locally sourced.
5: The localness is very evident. You can tour the garden and maybe even see the animals in the chicken house or pasture.
Flavor 1-5
1: Disappointing.
2: Nothing exciting to write about.
3: Interesting, but maybe you could do this at home.
4: A few items have amazing or complex flavors.
5: You’re in the clouds with every bite. This is the kind of food that you crave the next day + longer.
Pleasant surprise?
Yes or No plus comments
The C factor = comfort + coziness 1-5
1: Unacceptable…possible feelings of yuck.
2: Awkward feeling, due to lack of signs or unhelpful staff.
3: Not bad, but the atmosphere wasn’t your cup your tea.
4: Close to perfection except for …
5: Warm, inviting and informed staff and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay as long as possible…a sigh of sadness when it’s time to leave.
A perfect score = 15+
A five in each of the three rated categories and a plus for a pleasant surprise.
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We know that the restaurant owned by our family would not achieve a perfect score. It is a level of perfection we hope to find in our dining out adventures and a level for us to achieve, in time, at our own restaurant.