When I ask a friend for restaurant recommendations, I rarely inquire about something as mundane as operating hours, dress code information, or whether they only accept cash – all of that is useful, but easy to look up. If I’m turning to you, I’m looking for notes with a bit more color. “The Thai restaurant is kitschy, (literally) underground, and exactly the kind of place that would impress John Waters” is much better than “fun atmosphere.” These are the kinds of specific, game-changing details that the Eater team prioritizes in our own restaurant reports and that we’ve just integrated into the Eater app.
There are many new features in the app, from ordering delivery to booking transportation, but the notes feature might be my favorite. When my Eater colleagues dine out, I know they’re jotting down not just what to order, but also whether Bamonte’s is a great spot to take your parents when they’re in town (it is). Plus, with more places in the app than ever, when Eater app users leave their own notes, it signals to our editors that your favorite dive bar or taco stand is a must-try.
You can download the Eater app and see for yourself, but I wanted to give you a peek into some of the latest notes from my colleagues:
Thai Diner (New York)
One of my all-time favorite restaurants. Always fun, always satisfying. My absolute favorites are the chicken liver with roti and the cabbage rolls, but at this point, I’ve eaten most of the menu and everything is great. Finally tried the seafood tower recently and it’s a winner. (The mussels! Quail eggs!) Also one of the best breakfast sandwiches in the entire city, imo. – Bettina Makalintal, Senior Reporter, Eater
Tiki on 18th (Washington, D.C.)
I miss the cool, divey vibe of The Game, but you can still find plenty of Filipino accents on this menu, like Jo-Jo’s lumpia and pansit, along with a strong selection of tiki drinks. One of my favorite spots in Adams Morgan. The menu carefully highlights many gluten-free options. – Missy Frederick, Editorial Director, Eater
OyBar (Los Angeles)
Absolutely delightful, dimly lit spot that’s as fun and laid-back for dinner as it is for (very good) cocktails late at night. The “spicy dishes” are elite, and the pickled cucumber plate is the perfect Japanese-Jewish bento experience. – Hillary Pollack, Deputy Editor, Eater
Chappie’s (Catskills, NY)
Located within walking distance of the quirky Roxbury motel (we stayed in the coconut cream pie room) and had excellent fish and chips. – Nadia Chaudhuri, Deputy Food Editor, Eater
Nodoguro (Portland, Oregon)
This is a very special occasion kind of place. Tucked away in a tower downtown, it feels like stumbling upon one of Portland’s hidden gems. The service is impeccable, the 6-course meal will leave you satiated, grateful for the PNW bounty, and in awe of the team’s skills. Don’t miss the sake flight, you’ll get to taste a range of styles from breweries all over Japan. – Caitlin Breed, Senior Audience Development Director, Eater
JP Graziano Grocery (Chicago)
An absolute Chicago institution! Say hi to Mr. G and greet Jim, whose family has been running the place for many generations. Don’t miss the giardiniera! – Stefanie Wu, Editor-in-Chief, Eater
Download the Eater app to learn more.