Anjelica Arias

My goal in life is to find the best food in whatever city I am in. Luckily, I live in one of the most diverse food locations in the United States, San Francisco. However, if I am going to give all these food recommendations to you have to understand what criteria I use to judge these different restaurants. I have three big areas I focus on- the actual taste of the food, how much it costs, and atmosphere/ service.

What Should a Good Dish Have

When I consider what makes a dish good I follow Samin Nosrat. Salt, fat, acid, and heat are the four main components when dealing with a good dish. There are many different things that can fall into this basic idea. Salt doesn’t just have to be table salt. There can be chicken stock, soy sauce, and much more. The same goes for the other three topics. Individually then can overpower a food however, when used correctly you can have a cohesive dish that compliments each component (Nosrat) Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat (wordpress.com)

Nosrat explains the essential needs that every dish should have. When going into these restaurants to try their food I tried to follow her rules. When getting the food I first look to see if the dish is unique and creative. Then I go for the first bite and initially see if I like the food. The second bite is to taste if the dish has the four elements. Most places had either salt or fat but, the best restaurants were able to have a simple creative dish containing salt, acid, fat, and heat.

Should Higher the Price Equal Better Food

The price of food can be subjective depending on the person. One may think that a 40 dollar dish is reasonably priced while others may think that a whole paycheck. We all know that San Francisco can be expensive, especially food. So when buying food at these restaurants I try to base the price on if the food was good, presentation, and was worth what I paid. I don’t believe the higher the price the better the food. I consider a good restaurant to have a reasonably priced menu that won’t hurt my bank account. I feel that the majority of people want good food for a sensible cost. Sometimes the presentation should be horrible but the food is the best dish I have tasted for only $10. This is a win in my books because it's cheap, delicious, and won’t make my wallet cry. So when looking for a restaurant I always try to find food that justified their price.

The Atmosphere is Important for a Restaurant

The atmosphere plays an important part when judging a restaurant. I believe there are two parts that play a factor in the atmosphere. First, the overall look and aesthetic of the restaurant. This means what type of style does the restaurant have minimalistic or does it have a classic look. I try to figure out what the theme of the restaurant is and how it correlates to the food they serve. Is the music too loud or are they playing music that is comforting to listen to? Second, I look at the service of the workers. I try to see what tone they set when I first walk in. Some restaurants greet me with a hello the moment I walk into the store while in other the first thing they say is “what do you want”. Customer service plays a big role in judging the atmosphere.

About the Author Anjelica

I am a freshman at San Francisco State University as a nursing major. But is passionate about eating the best food in every city I live in.