The Amateur Eater
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Hello there, internet. I know you aren’t used to hearing from me, so it might be a little surprising that I’m here, sharing my thoughts and feelings on perhaps my most sacred topic – food– with you, of all people. You might be thinking…really Emily? A blog? You don’t even know how to use Instagram. You’re right. I’m basically a stranger to this kind of thing. So.
Why start this blog thing anyway?
Let me take you back to around 2014. I was in college living about a 3 hour drive from New York City, and yet I was an addicted subscriber to The Infatuation. If you haven’t heard of it (because you’re living under a rock?) The Infatuation is a food blog originally based in NYC with a number of related spin off businesses. What set them apart back then was their honest, oddly specific restaurant reviews. These reviews were dynamite. Not only did you get a great sense of where to go and what to expect, but reading them was a joy, filled with weird music metaphors and a pure love of food. I was so inspired, I created hit lists of restaurants to go try whenever I was home and would always do diligent research (ie. read the Infatuation review) before visiting any new spot. It was the gift that kept on giving.
However, all good things come to an end. In the past 4 years what was once the pinnacle of humorous honesty is now a corporate peddling of big name restaurateurs. As the publication grew, so did its power. To avoid being directly responsible for closing restaurants, the tone softened. They got rid of the rating scale. And the worst part? The places they praise nowadays become instantly impossible to reserve, ensuring they are overhyped, overpriced, and a general let down. Alas, it happens to the best of them.
So, what am I doing here? Well, considering the vast amount of time and money I already spend on eating out in this city and my role as restaurant advisor to many friends and family, I feel I’m well positioned to take up the mantle. Will it be exactly the same? No, of course not. I am but one lady trying to do her best to make sure you can live your life eating well, as I have for many years now. But I will strive to keep every review completely honest, to not overhype, and of course, to celebrate how incredible NYC food can be.
Who is this blog for?
Let’s be real, there is no universal take on food. My yum could be your yuck, my vibe could be your buzzkill. This is why Yelp is garbage. So to help guide you, you’ll probably like my picks if:
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You’re in it for the food. Taste is my #1 criteria for loving a restaurant. Service is low on my factor list, so unless it is notably incredible or actively making the meal bad, I won’t mention it.
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You like a vibe. #2 on that list is the atmosphere of a place. Was it fun to be there? Was it comfortable? I know for a fact that there is a large swath of restaurants offering incredible, authentic cuisine that will not show up on this blog. If I’m going to be sitting somewhere for 90+ minutes, I prefer to enjoy the place I’m in. No vibe + great food = takeout.
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You like salty more than sweet. I consider myself a well rounded eater, but I just don’t have a big sweet tooth. Dessert is 90% likely to taste better with salt flakes on top. Vinegar is always a winning ingredient in my household (pickles are my favorite food). So if you prefer a vastly different palate, you may be disappointed.
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You live or work in Manhattan. Sorry BK, I just can’t be bothered. Check the map for the occasional 🦄review.
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So, if that all sounds good to you, then cheers to that. Enjoy!
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Emily