Restaurant Critic Roundup: Name Means Everything From New York To California
As always, the ratings range from stars to bells to beans, but every review offers specialized insight into the food, atmosphere, and service of eateries in each city's dining scene and the critics eating at them.
This week in New York City, reviews highlight restaurants with intriguing names. Pete Wells reviews Nougatine, a title he declares suggests "a shop that sells chocolates or lingerie or maybe both." Stan Sagner assesses Do or Dine, where the atmosphere "may seem laidback, but no one is kidding about the food."
In California, American Oak in San Francisco benefits from a much-needed rebranding; and Industriel in Los Angeles is chastised for its décor, described in the review as "a restaurant that can leave a certain kind of person sputtering with rage."
Devra First is skeptical of how new Japanese charcoal-grilling spot, Yakitori Zai, will fare with the trendy Boston crowd. It's authenticity may be a little much for the area, with diners expecting presentation and sushi-catered menus.
From the East Coast to the West Coast, from North to South, the weekly restaurant critic roundup is here for all of your dining out needs.
Restaurant Critic Roundup: 9/7/2012
| Critic | Publication | Restaurant | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devra First | The Boston Globe | Yakitori Zai | 2.5 stars |
| Jonathan Gold | The Los Angeles Times | Industriel | |
| Victoria Pesce Elliott | The Miami Herald | The Meatball Joint | 2.5 stars |
| Stan Sagner | The New York Daily News | Do or Dine | |
| Pete Wells | The New York Times | Nougatine | 2 stars |
| Nicholas Boer | The San Francisco Chronicle | American Oak | 3 bells |
| Providence Cicero | The Seattle Times | Green Leaf | 2 stars |
| Tom Sietsema | The Washington Post | Tacos El Chilango | |
| Ricardo Baca | The Denver Post | Root Down | |
| Eric Doksa | Charleston City Paper | Pane e Vino |
Check out last week's Restaurant Critic Roundup.
Tyler Sullivan is The Daily Meal's assistant editor.