Over the last several months, we have been working with F&B industry professionals to come up with the first genuinely transparent, reproducible process for reviewing restaurants in Shanghai. It's not perfect and doesn't mean people won't have different interpretations of their experiences, but we strongly feel our reviewing guidelines go a long to upping the ante for professionalism.

Below is the Reviewing Matrix. Every single one of our reviewers fills in this matrix when reviewing a restaurant. Scroll down further for a more in-depth look at our Reviewing Guidelines. We also know this is going to be an ongoing project which we plan to update every year. Leave comment below and we will take it into consideration. Thanks.

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City Weekend's Reviewing Matrix

City Weekend's Reviewing Guidelines

Ambiance

Décor/Ambiance – appropriate for theme of restaurant, distracting / cozy, settings on the table, elegant / luxurious / designer or no-frills utilitarian? Is there a décor concept and is this concept well executed? Lighting/candles/flowers/artwork? Table distance, chair comfort, view, music, room temperature can all be considered part of décor/ambiance.

Menu – is it accessible / easy to read? clear, complete, descriptive, does it have English and Chinese? Cleanliness – dirty? Old and dingy? Modern and clean? Are dishes and cutlery free of stains? Staff uniforms? Floors throughout? Check bathrooms.

Restaurant layout –where is the kitchen, trash, toilets, bar. Are all of these components satisfactory? Is there an open kitchen? Is the restaurant non-smoking or are there separate smoking and non-smoking sections?

Food

Presentation – overall presentation and plating: does the food look sloppy? Artistically presented?

Temperature - Does it arrive hot and steaming? Cold? Speed / pace of delivery (do they serve appetizers before the mains? At the same time? After? How long does it take for the next course to arrive? Do they serve main dishes at the same time so that your dining party eats together?

Flavor – do the flavors balance well? Too much salt? Too bland? Special ingredients used? Cooked properly (medium-rare is as it should be? Pasta not underdone, crispy thin crust pizza, etc.), is there something unusual / unique / distinctive about the menu or items on it?

Cooking methods – is the cooking method traditional, home-style, fusion, contemporary or molecular gastronomy, etc? Is the chef’s philosophy clear and well-executed?

Freshness of Ingredients – where do the ingredients come from? Imported or local? Do they work in terms of the overall quality of the dish? Do ingredients combine well? Palatable texture (ie: too chewy, waterlogged, dry, etc.), was it fresh?

Value for money – what are the portions like? how do the size and quality of the dishes compare with the prices they are offered for or with the food at other restaurants of comparable price range? Too expensive, remarkably cheap, average and reasonable?

Drinks

Wine List / Drink List (if applicable) – how is the wine list / drink selection? Full list? Price range of bottles, sufficient number of wines by the glass? Range of wines on offer (different regions [New World and Old World), different years, range of price points and varietals, value)

Cocktails (if applicable) - variety and skills at execution (given that hotels and high end restaurants usually comes with a bar/lounge)

Juices - freshly squeezed? Instant ones? Prices fair?

Service

Friendliness – generally pleasant and easy to deal with? Difficult and uninterested in helping the customer?

Attentiveness – do you have to strain to get their attention? Do they hover? Top up drinks without asking? Clear plates unobtrusively? Do they take away the food too quickly, or not clear it at all? Do the staff move quietly through the dining room, and avoid chatting with each other on the floor? Are they quick to help with requests (ie: extra fork, bill, etc.). For high-end restaurants, do they sweep off the bread crumbs before you begin your first courses.

Customer Service – Is there a manager on duty? Are there enough staff in the dining room? do they accommodate special orders (ie: vegetarians, allergies, substitutions), do they inform you instantly if an item is unavailable? Do they speak English (if it’s a higher-end establishment)? Does the bill arrive on time? Do you feel rushed to get out?

Knowledge - Is your server knowledgeable and able to make recommendations about food and wine? Are they familiar with the menu and the restaurant’s cooking methods? If they do not know something, do they try to find the answer for you?

General

Compare - How does it compare to other restaurants of similar theme / cuisine / price range?

Specialization - Does it offer specialized service/catering or would it be good for special occasions? (ie: birthdays, weddings, kid parties, romantic dinner, etc.) Again, only if applicable.

Groups - Is it a good place for group meals?

Water - Do they offer free drinking water?

Child & Family Friendly (if applicable) – do they have a kids’ menu? Kids’ play area or kids’ corner where someone is watching the children? Kids’ discounts? High chairs and/or kids’ utensils? Additional family friendly features?

Pedigree - History of restaurant/restauranteur/chef

Owner - Is the restaurant owner-operated?

Extras - Are there extra events such as cooking classes, Sunday brunch etc?

Consistency - Does the restaurant have a concept that brings the décor, food, wine list, service, even staff uniforms etc all together? Is this concept well executed?