Sunday, June 5, 2022

Week 8 - More about Restaurant Reviews

Good afternoon!

1) Is your revised Movie, Book, Manga Review posted on your practice blog? There should be no errors.
2) You will present your Movie, Book, Manga Review next week (June 14).
3) Kevin will talk more about restaurant reviews. Your written review is due in 3 weeks (June 28). Just post it on your practice blog with photos.
4) Today, you will introduce a Tsurumi Eats! blog to the class (Did you write the number in the comments box?)
5) Typing practice, if time. - Typing.com


Your restaurant review is due June 28, so you must go to a restaurant (or bakery or take-out place), take some photos, and write a review. Choose a place that is a little unique and has some good points. Don't choose a large chain or fast food restaurant that everyone knows. However, a small, lesser known chain is OK.


About restaurant review photos (again):

  • Take many photos so you can choose the best ones.
  • Take the photos before you start eating the items!
  • A full drink looks nice in the photo.
  • Think about the angle, lighting and composition.
  • Hold the camera still! A blurry image is not good.
  • No dirty napkins or empty plates should be in view.
  • Take photos only of the food and drinks, not your friends or family.
  • Interior photos are good too.

Which of the photos on Tsurumi Eats! are good? Which are not? Please take GOOD photos!

List of things you need in your restaurant review:

  1. Restaurant name in romaji; also the actual Japanese name (in kanji, hiragana or katakana)
  2. Restaurant review title (not the restaurant name only)
  3. One or more original jpg or png photos of the food, interior or entrance.
  4. What kind of restaurant is it? Ramen, buffet, sandwich shop, family restaurant, fine dining, izakaya, bar, fast food, etc. 
  5. What kind of food do they specialize in? Korean, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Italian, Western food, various kinds
  6. Information about the menu, favorite items, service, staff, specials, atmosphere, prices, etc. If the owner is interesting, tell us about her or him. (*** #6 is the most important! ***)
  7. Complete address of the restaurant (including postal code)
  8. Phone number of the restaurant
  9. Business hours and holidays
  10. Access information (closest train or subway station; how many minutes on foot; simple directions)
  11. Web site URL if available (NOT from another review site, like Tablelog or Hot Pepper!)

For question #6 above, you need to find a lot of useful information about the restaurant. This information will help us decide if we want to try the restaurant or not. If you don't know what to write, try answering as many of the following questions as possible, and then organizing the information into paragraphs:

  • Is it expensive, mid-range, reasonable or very cheap in price?
  • What is the atmosphere like?
  • How do the staff dress?
  • About how many people can dine there at one time?
  • How many tables are there?
  • Are there candles on the table? What kind of lights are there?
  • Can people eat at the counter?
  • What are some menu categories? (appetizers, pasta, soup, main, etc.)
  • What are the most popular menu items?
  • Is there a course menu?
  • Is it better to get the course or to choose a la carte?
  • What is the average price range of items?
  • How much are some particular items?
  • How many locations does the restaurant have?
  • Which location did you try?
  • Is the restaurant popular?
  • How long must you wait for a table?
  • Do you need reservations?
  • Does the restaurant take reservations?
  • Are there any discounts or coupons available?
  • Is there a take-out menu?
  • Was the food better than similar foods you’ve had at other restaurants?
  • Are there nice desserts available? Are they unique or special?
  • Are vegetarian food options available?
  • Does the restaurant offer special kinds of beer, like locally brewed beers?
  • Does the restaurant offer any special kinds of wine or sake?
  • Are there special kinds of coffee or tea? Fruit drinks?
  • Is there a drinks bar?
  • Does the restaurant serve seasonal foods?
  • Does the food have some special spices?
  • Can you choose the level of spiciness?
  • Is the restaurant open early in the morning? Until late at night?
  • Is it open for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Is it open in the afternoon?
  • Can you reserve the restaurant for parties?
  • Are there large tables for large groups?
  • Is the place romantic? Bright and cheerful?
  • Is it best for couples or families? Can single people be comfortable there?
  • Is there free Wi-Fi available?
  • What is the music like?
  • Is there live music?
  • Are the staff friendly? Do they check on you often?
  • Do the staff refill your water glasses?
  • Do they clear off the table quickly?
  • Is there something unique or unusual about the restaurant?
  • Is it noisy or quiet? Light or dark?
  • Does the restaurant have parking?
  • Is it easy to find?
  • Do you recommend it? Why?
  • Do you pay at the table or at the register?
  • Is smoking allowed? Do they have a special smoking section?
  • Can you pay with a credit card? Which cards are accepted? 
  • Did you meet the owner? What is he or she like? 
  • Does the restaurant give anything for free?
  • Does the restaurant charge for an appetizer that you didn't order (tsukidashi)?
Many of my Blogging in English students wrote restaurant reviews for their fall blog topic and continued writing them into their senior year.

Five Senses
When you write about any topic in this class, be sure to write with many specific details and always use the five senses! Which paragraph below uses the five senses?

Sample #1 
For Golden Week, I went to the beach with some friends. The weather was nice and the ocean was beautiful. We ate a picnic lunch. It was a good experience and an enjoyable trip.

Sample #2 
For Golden Week, I  traveled by car with three crazy friends to Southern Beach in Chigasaki. The warm sun beat on our faces, and the cool wind rippled through our hair as we ran barefoot across the hot sand. I love the salty ocean air at Southern Beach, and I couldn't wait to dip my toes into the icy cold sea. Laughing and screaming, we splashed the frigid water at each other for a few minutes, then we waded back to the cool shade of our beach umbrella for a delicious picnic lunch. The strawberries and apples we brought tasted especially fresh and sweet that day, and I'll always remember how much fun we had together. We're going again next week, but we're going to bring some cold beer along with our fruit!

Which paragraph above has more details? Which uses the five senses?


Make a sentence. "It tastes ___ like a ___ " or "It feels ___ like a ___ ." I will make a 5-Senses Crossword Puzzle that uses your sentence as a clue (but I may edit it). Everyone should choose a different word. Use the Padlet for your sentences. Do this twice and I will choose the best one.

Padlet - Five Senses Writing Activity

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Similar//Opposite Vocabulary Practice form

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