I love food, I really do. That is why I spend lots of time writing reviews. I enjoy the pleasure of eating and writing but there is another reason why I like to write reviews. I like to help others. I like to help restaurants to become better.
When I write reviews I do it with this thought in mind, how could this place be better.
I split my restaurant reviews into three sections, place, service and food. I truly believe that a restaurant is a full experience and these three factors are valuable inputs to it. I also try to be fair and account for value for money on my reviews, that is why expensive or luxury restaurants will not always necessarily get the highest score but it can be a small place with delicious food at an affordable price.
One thing that I really like is when a restaurant replies to my review, I remember a waitress coming to me in the street the day after giving a review in France and explaining to me why my Caesars beef was a bit cold, she was right and I changed my review. When you write an objective review and the restaurant takes it in consideration is something great, you feel as if you are helping them to grow, to do better.
For that reasons I recommend all my friends and co-workers to write reviews, not only when they find a good or a bad place but also to all these places that need their help to understand better their customers. This is a fulfilling exercise for both the restaurant and the guest.