Before writing a restaurant review ...

Hi everybody! Some people have already sent me restaurant reviews, but I would like to ask you to pause for a moment and make sure you have everything you need before submitting an article. I introduced the essay last week so you would have enough time, but there is no need to hurry. The 1st draft isn't due until Nov. 17. Let's look at the following list and make sure we have all of these things:

1. Restaurant name
2. Restaurant review title (not the restaurant name only)
3. An original jpg photo of the food, interior or entrance
(You must send the photo to my email as an attachment.)
4. What kind of restaurant is it? Chinese, Italian, Korean, yaki niku, ramen, buffet, sandwich shop, family restaurant, etc.
5. Information about the menu, favorite items, service, staff, specials, atmosphere, prices, etc. If the owner is interesting, tell us about her or him.
6. Complete address of the restaurant (including postal code)
7. Phone number of the restaurant
8. Business hours and holidays
9. Access information (closest train or subway station; how many minutes on foot; simple directions)
10. Web site URL if available

Also, be sure to read the restaurant reviews from last year to understand how they should generally look.

In class today, we will do the exciting Restaurant Review Treasure Hunt! Kevin will give you a handout and you will race to answer some questions. The questions can be answered by reading the restaurant reviews from the Tokyo Food File column at The Japan Times online newspaper (the column on the left). Note that only the following 5 reviews appear on the handout, but in random order:

* Mushrooms and much more in Moto-Yoyogi - Nov. 4
* Who says kaiseki dining has to be stuffy? - Oct. 31
* The most satisfying soba in temple town - Oct. 7
* Proper pizza and past - and yes, it's in Tokyo - Sept. 16
* A taste of Portugal in Tokyo's backstreets - Sept. 2

If we have time, you will blog on a restaurant related topic. Kevin will tell you in class. Have a great day!