When I ask a friend for restaurant recommendations, I’m rarely asking for something as cut and dry as the operating hours, dress code intel, or whether it’s cash-only — all of that’s helpful, but also easily searchable. If I’m reaching out to you, I’m looking for some notes with a little more color. “The Thai restaurant is kitsch, (literally) underground, and exactly the kind of place that would impress John Waters” is so much better than “fun atmosphere.” These are the kinds of specific, game-changing details that the Eater team prioritizes in our own restaurant reporting, and which we just integrated into the Eater app.
There are a lot of new features in the app, from ordering delivery to booking a ride, but the notes feature might be my favorite. When my Eater colleagues dine out, I know that they’re jotting down not just what to order, but whether Bamonte’s is a great place to take your parents when they’re in town (it is). There are also more venues than ever in the app, and when Eater app users leave notes of their own, it signals to our editors that your favorite off-the-grid 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 at some of my colleagues’ recent notes:
Thai Diner (New York City)
One of my favorite restaurants of all time. Always fun, always satisfying. My absolute favorites are the chicken liver with roti and the cabbage rolls, but I’ve had most of the menu at this point and it’s all awesome. I finally got the seafood tower for the first time recently and it rules. (The scallop! The quail eggs!) Also one of the best breakfast sandwiches in the whole city imo. – Bettina Makalintal, senior reporter, Eater
Tiki on 18th (Washington, D.C.)
I miss the chill, divey vibe of The Game, but you can still find many of its Filipino highlights on this menu, like lumpiang and Jo-Jo’s pansit, alongside a strong selection of tiki drinks. One of my go-to spots in Adams Morgan. Menu thoughtfully highlights many gluten-free options. – Missy Frederick, editorial director, Eater
Absolutely delightful, low lit haunt that’s as fun and freewheeling for dinner, as it is as a late night stop for (very good) cocktails. The “spicy noods” are elite and the pickle plate is the perfect Japanese-Jewish bento experience. – Hilary Pollack, deputy editor, Eater
Chappie’s (Catskills, NY)
It’s walking distance from the quirky Roxbury Motel (we stayed in the coconut cream pie room) and had excellent fish and chips. – Nadia Chaudhury, deputy dining editor, Eater
This is a very special occasion-worthy spot. Tucked away in a tower downtown it feels like you are stumbling into one of Portland’s hidden gems. The service is impeccable, the dishes, spread out over 6ish courses, will leave you full, appreciative of the PNW bounty, and in awe of the team’s skills. Don’t skip out of the sake pairing, you will get to taste a range of styles from breweries across Japan. – Kailtin Bray, senior director of audience development, Eater
J.P. Graziano Grocery (Chicago)
An absolute Chicago institution! Get the Mr. G and say hi to Jim, whose family has been running the place for many generations. Don’t skip the giardiniera! – Stephanie Wu, editor-in-chief, Eater
Download the Eater app to learn more.
