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 Lesley, better known as becfin.  So let’s learn more about Lesley pictured below with her chihuahua, Raki, from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

1. How did you find out about Menuism?

I found out about Menuism through a search engine, Google.  I was researching restaurant review websites and Menuism particularly appealed to me.

2. What about Menuism first appealed to you?

I enjoyed the reviews and was impressed that Canadian reviews were quite extensively included.  We have similar sites in Canada but I liked Menuism’s style and setup that successfully featured the reviewer’s subjective opinion and tastes as well as useful factual data.  Menuism’s reviews are fun to read and pique the reader’s curiosity about the reviewers as well as the restaurants reviewed.  They are often very well written and encourage the reader to try the restaurant – or to stay away!

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

My first review, I think was about Baramibunei, a Korean restaurant in International Village, Hamilton.

4. What is your food philosophy?

Food is LIFE.  It sustains, nurtures, and delights and can help unite families, friends, communities and even nations.

5. What are your favorite restaurants?

My favourite restaurants are Baramibunei, Ya Man! and Joya Sushi and Korean food.

6. What are your favorite cuisines?

Asian and Caribbean.

7. What are your favorite comfort foods?

Homemade macaroni and cheese, fresh asparagus, fresh raspberries, fresh shrimps and rice (white and brown).

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

My best meal was eaten at Auberge du Gargantua, Perce, P.Q.  The enormous crab I ate had been caught that day in the waters below the inn and the vegetables and herbs had been picked that morning from the kitchen garden behind the country inn.  A fire crackled in the fireplace of the small dining room that overlooked the village of Perce and Perce Rock. The genial host-chef circulated amongst the diners making sure that all was well.  The meal was a magical combination of fresh local food beautifully prepared, served in a cosy, friendly atmosphere.

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

I love cookbooks and have a large collection but the cookbook I would save from a burning inferno if I had only one choice, would be the late Laurie Colwin’s “Home Cooking”.  If I could save a second, it would be her sequel, “More Home Cooking”.

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

I would encourage first time reviewers to write about restaurants that they really enjoy.  They could imagine they were telling a friend about their new find.  Their enthusiasm will probably be reflected in their review.  I would point out that Menuism provides the reviewer with a good outline for their review and that if they follow this guideline, they should produce a good review. Most of all, I would encourage them to have fun writing their reviews.

If you’d like to be able to keep up with Lesley’s reviews, click here to check out her 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