One might ask, “so how does Knight at the Restaurant work?”  Well, it’s really very simple…

What It Is

It’s the bomb-diggity, really.

Actually, Knight at the Restaurant is a food blog, and my baby. I hope to raise it well.

The inspiration behind Knight at the Restaurant is actually frustration with the current forums for food reviews. I feel like there’s nothing out there that encourages people to celebrate food or inspires people to explore the world through food. I feel like most of what’s out there is written in a very condescending way, and food should not be taken away from people who want to enjoy it, just because they lack formal training or an experienced palate.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Zagat, and I consult it regularly. However, I really feel like Zagat ratings are based more on an expensive price tag and the reputation of a restaurant, rather than the food itself. It tends to ignore those great holes in the wall.

Phantom Gourmet is…well…for those of you not from New England, Phantom Gourmet is a..what?…a brand?…a dude?….a system where “the phantom,” a ubiquitous presence that has no face and therefore will not be recognized, goes to local eateries and rates the food. I think it’s a really cool idea, but my problem with Phantom Gourmet is that it’s the opposite of Zagat. Restaurants with a high price tag and upscale reputation are sneered at, and their favorite food clearly consists of anything “ooey-gooey,” or covered in grease / fat. They tend to ignore the “cuisine” side of the spectrum.

Yelp is…special. I feel like Yelp tends to be a little on the – how should I say – grumpy side. The only food that should cause grumpiness is bad food.

My goal is to find something in between that celebrates the holes in the walls and the great restaurants, without going against the grain for the sake of exerting my “refined palate.” Critics thrive on finding the negative, and while any review can’t ignore that, I want to focus on the positive! Find the things worth mentioning, and discuss it with everyone! A new kind of critique.

(As a side note, with all of this being said, I freaking love Anthony Bourdain and all his grumpy glory…just FYI…)

How It Works

Knight at the Restaurant is a play on words, based on my last name (um…Knight). Restaurants will be given a numerical rating between 1 and 5, but there will be one of two overall ratings applied to each new experiment. It’s simple. If I like a restaurant, I’ll “Knight” it. If I don’t like a restaurant, I’ll “Send it to the Stocks.” The label will be given based on my overall experience.

The great restaurants – you know the kind – the ones that become regulars in my rotation, and always deliver something special, will go into my “Restaurants of the Round Table.” It’s a fancy way of saying they’re my favorites

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