The Times They Are A-Changin, A Public Service Announcement.

Dear Readers, Subscribers, and Friends:

As some of you may know, this blog is more than a ‘hobby’ or work of personal interest, it is a way of connecting with other likeminded folks – many whom I’ve met and some of whom have become good friends. It is also a way to share my trips with friends and family, as well as a way to create a sort of tangible testament to something transient that can also at times be profound. It looks at not only food as art and a passion, but also food as a means to exploring a place or celebrating something special. I like the blog and have no intention of letting it go but beginning with posts dated 3/17/12 until further notice (likely August, 2012) a change in format is necessary.

While the reasons for this temporary change are myriad, the primary issue is a growing backlog of restaurants compounded by a move across country in 2 months – the first time in 32 years I’ve lived outside of Ohio. Add in at least one upcoming trip (likely two or three,) the day-to-day busyness of my life, and a schedule only due to get busier and the only other option is to fall further behind or turn this into yet another flickr stream with pretty pictures but not enough verbiage to tell anyone whether they should or should not invest their time, effort, or memories into the experience; neither of the options interest me one bit.

In deciding how to tackle this issue I’ve decided to maintain my attention to detail regarding the composition of the plates while leaving some of the extraneous by the wayside and considering the majority of my writing education was obtained in the sciences I figure it best to do this systematically, with headings as follows:

The Gist: What is the restaurant all about?

The Why: Why did it make my list?

The Reservation: Any specifics pertaining to difficulties in the process.

The Space: Salient notes about the restaurant including noise, décor, etc.

The Service: Good, Bad, Hipster, Formal, etc.

The Food (and rarely drink): The bulk of the review, unchanged as best as possible from previous format.

The Verdict: Was it worth it and would I go back?

As I always approve and respond to appropriate comments please feel free to ask specific questions or make suggestions, but in the mean time I hope the site continues to be helpful and I look forward to great meals with many of you in the not too distant future.

“Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen…

And keep your eyes wide the chance won’t come again…

And don’t speak too soon for the wheel’s still in spin…”

–Bob Dylan