Restaurant Review Assignment

Due by 7:30 am.

Estimated maximum time required to complete this assignment:
  • Going to restaurant: 1 to 2 hours.
  • Writing preliminary draft: 1 to 2 hours.
  • Revising preliminary draft: 2 to 3 hours.
  • Having it checked over: 1 hour.
  • Total: 5 to 8 hours.

Value: 20 points (out of 100)

See previous assignments HERE.

Questions to answer before you begin:
  1. What discourse communities regularly use this particular genre of writing (restaurant reviews) and for what purpose?
  2. What purpose and goals do you want to accomplish by writing this restaurant review?
  3. What audience cares about or would want to see this piece of writing, or might even pay good money to read it?

Instructions:

Eat a full meal (including beverage and dessert if available) at a restaurant where you have never eaten before. Then write a review of your experience. (Answer the questions below, one by one.)


How to Write Your Review

Follow the assignment closely!

1. At the beginning of your report, mention the name and type of restaurant, its address and location, the date of your visit, and what you (and your companion, if you were with someone) ordered.

Then discuss:

a. Location - Is it easy to find? What is the neighborhood or surrounding area like? What does the outside of the building look like?

b. Category - What type of cuisine is served? Is this a casual sit-down café, or linen-and-china fine dining? What are the prices like? Is the restaurant inexpensive, moderate, expensive, or very expensive?  Is one expected to dress up to eat there?

c. Ambience (atmosphere) - What type of music, decoration and lighting does the place have? What kind of customers does it generally attract (i.e., business people, tourists, students, seniors, young couples on a date, mall shoppers?)

d. Service - Was the staff courteous and friendly? Was the service reasonably quick? Were they willing to explain unfamiliar menu items if asked?

e. Menu - What do you think of the selection? (Be sure to include a brief evaluation of each section on the menu: appetizers, entrees, desserts, and beverages).

f. Hours - What are the hours of operation? What meals do they offer? (Ex. breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, special events, etc.)

Adapted from http://www.hssd.k12.wi.us/lineville/staff/allstarshouse/AS%20House/Items%20to%20Review%20for%20Restaurant%20Review.htm


2. How well did you enjoy the restaurant? Use examples to illustrate the quality of the food and service. Be aware that different cultures and cuisines may entail different tastes, experiences and expectations from what you are used to.


3.  To sum up, what is your overall reaction? Would you seek to experience something else like this, in the future or not?  Why or why not?  Next time would you invite your family or a friend to eat with you there? Would you like to invite someone there for a date? If not, to whom would you particularly recommend this restaurant? 

 

 

NOTE: Reviewing "critically" does not mean the same thing as "criticizing," in everyday language (complaining or griping, fault-finding, nit-picking). Your "critique" can and should be positive and praise the restaurant if possible, as well as pointing out possible problems and shortcomings, if any.

 

Important: No fast food restaurants, snack bars or outdoor food stands are allowed! No out-of-area restaurants are allowed for this assignment. No alcohol or tobacco consumption (including wine, beer or hookah-smoking) is allowed as part of this assignment, even if you are over 21!
 

Simply fixing or eating food at home, or eating with an individual or a family does NOT qualify for this assignment. 

 

Be sure to dress and behave appropriately for the restaurant you choose. Very often, going with a companion makes the experience more enjoyable. However, if you go with a classmate, each one of you must write your own individual reports--no copying or collective reports allowed! 

 

If you cannot successfully complete this assignment due to a diagnosed disability or medical condition or due to cultural or religious reasons, please contact me for an alternate assignment. This exception does not apply if you are simply a "picky eater" or do not wish to complete the assignment as indicated.

Questions to answer after you finish the assignment:

  1. How well does your writing serve your intended audience?

  2. How well does your writing your own purposes?

  3. How might you use this type of writing in the future?

OW 05/10

For educational purposes only.

 

 

Owen M. Williamson - Education Bldg 211E - phone: (915) 747 7625 - fax: (915) 747 5655
The University of Texas at El Paso - 500 W. University Ave. - El Paso, TX 79968
Important Disclaimer

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Open Courseware | OCW |This work is dedicated to the Public Domain..