How was it for you? That’s what canny London diners really want to know from fellow foodies – especially now they’re faced with more choice than ever before. Nicky Evans
invites you to join Square Meal’s critical community, where you can have your say and win incredible prizes.
This year has seen an unprecedented number of new openings on the London restaurant scene. Be they fine-dining affairs such as Chrysan, sizzling destinations such as Sushisamba, or cheap-and-cheerful ventures such as Honest Burgers, diners want proof of a restaurant’s prowess before they pay for their pudding.
Step forward Square Meal’s army of amateur critics and restaurant raters who tell it like it is on squaremeal.co.uk – whether to reward the restaurant with word-of-mouth publicity, to air
grievances, or simply to guide others.
We value your opinions so much that we’re keen to hear more of them – and from more of you. That’s why all year we’ve been encouraging readers to leave comments by giving away prizes.
This summer, Mimina’s review of Franco Manca bagged her dinner and an overnight stay at Lainston House in Hampshire; Robert B won a £350 spa treatment at The Berkeley Spa for his pithy comments on Dirty Burger;
Toby N’s entertaining reviews earned him a meal for two at Aubaine,
and Gourmand Gunno’s regular contributions saw a bottle of Louis Roederer sent his way.
Every comment you submit online is read by countless readers looking for the perfect restaurant. What’s more, the site now incorporates reviews from trusted food bloggers, giving you even more
insider knowledge.
So, whether you fancy yourself as the next Jay Rayner or can sum up your experience in five carefully chosen words, squaremeal.co.uk is the place to do it.
The prizes
Leave comments on squaremeal.co.uk and you could win one of these fabulous prizes:
• a ‘Greed’ overnight package worth £505 courtesy of The Aviator hotel
in Hampshire. Prize includes: one night in the Sky Suite (pictured, left), with Champagne breakfast in bed and late check-out; a five-course dinner with matching wines in the Aviator Brasserie; a bottle of Veuve Clicquot; and complimentary movies and mini-bar.
• a luxury tasting menu for two worth £130 at Marylebone Italian Cotidie (prize excludes wine and drinks).
• a No.3 Gin gift packincluding a 700ml bottle of No.3 Gin and a 375ml bottle of dry Dolin Vermouth de Chambéry arranged in a
sleek presentation box.
• bottles of Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV Champagne and cases of wine
And the winner is…
Congratulations to Matt P (pictured), who has won the Critic of the Quarter title for autumn 2012. Square Meal’s editor, Ben
McCormack, praised Matt for his descriptive writing style and witty approach. ‘Whether they’re delivered in tongue-in-cheek bullet points or as a blow-by-blow breakdown, Matt’s accounts of his
forays into London’s dining scene are always well written,’ he said.
To date, Matt has written 10 reviews for squaremeal.co.uk, charting his experiences at a wide range of the capital’s restaurants, from fine-dining establishments such as Hibiscus to down-and-dirty diners such as Pitt Cue Co. Matt’s review of Tom Aikens won him a £250 meal for two at a restaurant of his choice. Below is an extract from his winning review.
‘What are the qualities that make an ideal restaurant? Well, dining there should feel like a glamorous treat; you should be attended to by grown-up staff as if you were their most important
customer of the day; you should dine on food that looks and tastes extraordinary, and that requires not just a chef but a brigade to prepare; and all this should take place in a room that has been
designed and furnished by someone with impeccable taste, zealous attention to detail and a little bit of wit. Tom Aikens ticks all those boxes.’
How to nail a restaurant
review
Do
• keep the review short and concentrate on the facts
• explain why you liked or disliked something
• write to entertain
Don’t
• focus too much on one part of the dining experience
• write about yourself at the expense of the restaurant
• rant – give objective criticism instead
This feature was published in the autumn 2012 issue of Square Meal Lifestyle.