foodha for thought – menuism blog

Menuism reviewers are truly awesome! Whether they found an unexpected tasty gem of a restaurant or took it for the team after having a terrible meal, we truly applaud all their efforts in giving us the scoop on where we should be spending our hard-earned money on. On that note, I’d love to introduce you to those reviewers who we feel really contribute quality content to the site as well as quality information to fellow Menuism’ers. Our Featured Reviewer today is Paul, better known as Guess. So let’s learn more about Paul from San Diego!

Introduction

1. How did you find out about Menuism?

I really don’t remember how I came into contact with Menuism. But I’ve had a restaurant page on our web site since 1995 and often search restaurant names in Google, MSN or Yahoo. So I would guess that I found it with a Search Engine… doing some research for our page… probably restaurant address or URL.

2. What about Menuism first appealed to you?

Well as you can tell by our web page http://www.tpguess.com/restaura.htm we like to reward excellence… and have found over the years that everybody likes a good restaurant pick. When I found Menuism I liked the fact that it was very user friendly. Easy… fast… and some common prompts to create a good comparison. It’s continued to improve since I joined… and I’ve had a lot of fun with it.

3. What restaurant did you write your first review about?

Estrella’s Family Restaurant … in Bonsall Ca… June 18, 2007. That takes me back to Question # 1… I remember now that I wanted to add Estrella’s to our web page… and was doing research to see if they had a web site…. found Menuism… joined… they were not in the data base… so added them as a restaurant… made them one of my favorites (they still are)… and wrote a review. If you want great Carnitas in North San Diego County… it would be hard to beat Estrella’s. North East corner of Highway 76 and Camino Del Rey… good bar too!

4. What is your food philosophy?

Food should be fun. The flavor… the smell… the looks… the feel… even the sizzle. The experience should be just as sensory as well. When you are traveling… you should go out of the way to find local favorite restaurants… and local food… we’re headed to Gatlinburg TN at the end of August… and I’ve already spent a couple hours online… getting some ideas. But nothing is as good as a personal referral. And we should all reward good food and good dining experiences. Restaurants don’t deserve to stay in business because of views… or price… or snob appeal. The food should always be the heart of the experience. When it all comes together… you get a memory that stays with you forever.

5. What are your favorite restaurants?

Wow… I have 56 favorites on menuism And working on making that list bigger every chance I get. My favorite restaurants are the ones that deliver excellent food…. excellent service and you walk out the door with a smile on your face… anxious to return the next time. If anyone out there has a new one for me to try… please let me know…. especially in Gatlinburg TN

6. What are your favorite cuisines?

Boy it would be easier to make a list of cuisines that I don’t like I can’t think of any that I don’t like. But… favorites… American Home Cooking… Italian… Thai… Chinese… Greek… those are the ones that come to mind first.

7. What are your favorite comfort foods?

Pot Roast… Real Pan fried Chicken… Mashed Potatoes with Gravy… Roast Turkey… Grilled Steak… Grilled Pork Chop… I’m easy… I even like Liver and Onions…

8. What is the best meal you ever ate and why?

Pot Roast at my Mother’s home… wow was she a cook. Because just saying it… I can taste it again… I can hear my Mom complementing herself … and the memory makes me smile. Best meal I ever ate out… that’s tough… we’ve had many…. many great meals. Dinner at Mr. A’s in San Diego with Chuck and Sue. Over six years ago… I can still remember the Veal Chop… and the Port after dinner. Spectacular food… presentation… service… best view in San Diego… best friends… it just doesn’t get any better. It was expensive as the dickens… and worth every penny.

9. Do you have any favorite cookbooks (if any)?

Have probably 60+ cook books… but three stand out. First because of the amount of time we have relied on it would be wedding shower present from my Mom to my wife. (40 years ago this month) “American Home all purpose cook book” pub 1966 … rely on this one to answer anything. Second… and really my favorite but more a specialty “The Only Texas Cookbook” by Linda West Eckhardt…. I swear… everything I’ve cooked from this book is outstanding…. and I’ve used a lot. Instructions are excellent… it’s almost as readable as a good novel. And… third… “Cooking Down East” by Marjorie Standish. I found this in Sear Roebuck in Chula Vista in 1974. Somebody named Roberta had lost it… I tried to find Roberta… never did. Cookbook has some of her own recipes… and of friends… and is full of notes… in red ink. Great Comfort Food cookbook.

10. What words of encouragement would you give to first time Menuism reviewers?

Have fun… tell it like it was. Be sensory… Be responsible. I try not to write a review that is not complimentary… unless they truly need and deserve the feedback. It’s fun rewarding excellence… everyone likes a pat on the back. Menuism makes it very easy to thank someone for making your life better… and to help others to find a quality experience. If I were in the Restaurant business… I would want my managers to do Search Engine searches… daily … for their restaurant name. People like to share… so join up… share … and have fun.

If you’d like to be able to keep up with Paul’s reviews, click here to check out his profile!

If there is a Menuism reviewer who has really helped you make great dining choices and you’d like to see him or her be a Featured Reviewer, than be sure to message me or send me an email at abby@menuism.com.

By Abby C. Abanes
Menuism Community Manager