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 Alex, better known as adpwrites. So let’s learn more about Alex from Foothill Ranch, CA.

Introduction

I was born & bred in Southern California. I was fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling when I was young. My dad was determined to have cultured children, so we had a lot of 4 & 5 star dining experiences growing up. One of his favorite haunts was a French restaurant in L.A. called Papa Choux. It was actually a pretty scary experience when you are a kid, a lot of sitting up straight, no slurping your soup, and really not knowing what you are ordering. The upside to my early travels & fine dining is my palette grew and the downside is I became a food snob. Today, I am a graphic designer and I even get excited when I am designing a menu.

1. How did you find out about Menuism?

How does anyone find anything nowadays?…. A google search, of course.

2. What about Menuism first appealed to you?

I like that it’s casual and fun. People here seem to really want to help others in their restaurant & eatery choices.

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

It was McCormick & Schmick’s. My husband & I have become the “go to people” for our friends when it comes to restaurant recommendations but this particular restaurant experience was so bad that I felt I had to warn even strangers about this place ..hence, the rest is history

4. What is your food philosophy?

There is a difference between the love of food and the love of eating. When you love food you have respect for it; You are curious about the dish’s history, how it was prepared, how it is presented, you see all this as a part of your culinary experience.

People who simply love to eat, tend to eat whatever is in front of them without much thought. Stuffing fast food down my throat while watching TV is something I would not enjoy.

5. What are your favorite restaurants?

Would it sound prestigious if I said Spago’s? I have been there a handful of times and every time I go I am blown away.

Parkway Grill in Pasadena serves innovative American cuisine. Their pizza actually rivals the pizza at Spago’s.

And my all time favorite restaurant, which is now closed, was Italian concept restaurant called Primi’s on Pico Blvd. This restaurant was owned by Piero Selvaggio, who owns the famed “Valentino’s Ristorante” in Santa Monica.

6. What are your favorite cuisines?

I love global infusion. The restaurant that really reflect this type of cooking and that I’m dying to try is Sapphire’s in Laguna Beach. As soon as I eat there, you know I will be writing about it!!!

7. What are your favorite comfort foods?

Soup is the most soulful food there is.

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

Again it was at Primi’s Ristorante (may they rest in peace) Primi’s name & concept was “first courses”. A pages of cold appetizers and pages of hot appetizers and that was it. It was a grazer’s delight. On our last trip back, they switch to a traditional menu. We ask the waiter if the Chef could serve “a la the original Primi concept”. So on the fly, the chef kept making us with these appetizers, one right after the other, without us ever knowing what was coming next. We truly felt special. It was a symbiotic experience, as I believe the Chef was enjoying it as much as we were.

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

We own a lot of Charlie Trotter cookbooks. The most interesting one is his RAW cookbook (pardon the oxymoron). The techniques he uses is fascinating.

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

Keep in mind what you appreciate when you are reading a review and then do the same. Remember you are doing people ( futures patrons and even the restaurant owners) a serve by writing a honest & balanced review .

If you’d like to be able to keep up with Alex’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