☆My Imaginary Trip to Italy☆ PART 3

☆My Imaginary Trip to Italy☆ Part 2

Restaurant Evaluation

☆Physical Appearance☆:

1. Appealing? (5/5)

I thought the design of the restaurant was unique and creative. The building was round shaped and had two doors to enter the inside of the restaurant. The colorful flowers and the decorations makes the customer want to enter the restaurant.

2. Fitting the genre of food that is served? (5/5)

I personally thought the main theme of this restaurant was “casual Italian” by the food that they serve and the cost. The building was designed in a way that gave a sense of “welcoming” and “home” that I though suits well into the theme of the restaurant. Especially how the door was designed. The entrance way was decorated with flower pots that were designed by the professional floweriest which leaded its way to the door.

3. Clean? (5/5)

The outside of the restaurant was very clean and the flowers were well watered.

4. Size of the parking lot (5/5)

The parking lot provides space to park total of 37 cars, which I though was adequate amount of parking lots. According to my mother, she did not have any problem parking the car into the space provided since there was enough space for each lot.

5. Easy to enter? (4/5)

There were two entrance to enter the restaurant, which were from the front and the back of the parking lot. However the road to enter from the front of the restaurant gets crowded during the lunch time and the rush hours, which is making it difficult for the driver to enter and also to leave the restaurant.

☆Food☆:

1. Is it what you have predicted? (4/5)

I thought the pasta that I ordered, Carbonara with mentaiko would be spicy since it has mentaiko in it. However it was not as spicy as I supposed. I wanted the flavor of mentaiko to be little bit more strong.

2. Is it worth the price? (5/5)

¥1,750 may sound expensive for lunch. However considering that it comes with a salad or soup, pasta, drink and desert I thought it was a decent price. Also considering the factor that the pasta alone cost ¥1,350 in the regular menu. I was full by the point I have finished with the pasta that I only took a bite of each desert and gave the rest to my brother.

3. Variety of food (5/5)

One of the factors that I was surprised was the number of menus that they offer. They offer 68 different pasta with different varieties of pasta. I do not know other Italian restaurants that offers this amount of different pastas.

4. Taste (4/5)

I gave a score of 4 rather than 5. That is because first, I personally thought there was too much dressing on the salad and second, I thought the pasta could had been better if there was more mentaiko in it. Other than these two, all of the dishes were all delicious

5. How long did it took for the food to come to the table (5/5)

Considering the fact that all of the dishes, excluding dessert came within 15 minutes from when the order was made, I gave a score of 5.

6. Presentation (5/5)

All of the dishes were nicely presented. I especially like how they putted the Santa Clause candy on the desert to give the sense of holiday spirit to the customers even though it was a day after Christmas.

☆Server/Host☆

1. Friendly and positive? (3/5)

They greeted and treated all of the customers very nicely however I noticed that most of the servants were not smiling. I thought they will look friendlier if they were smiling.

2. Customer friendly? (4/5)

Considering the fact that they did not notice that I was out of water without telling them I could not give them a full score. However I was impressed at the fact that one of the servants offered a customer who sat next to us a blanket when they told the servant to turn up the heater.

3. Able to explain the menu? (5/5)

The servants nicely explained the daily pasta menu and each of the deserts on the plate. As for the desert, the servant even told us which one was their favorite.

4. Uniform (5/5)

All of the servants were wearing a same uniform and they were all well uniformed.

☆Inside the restaurant☆;

1. Clean? (Including the restroom) (5/5)

The restaurant itself, including the restroom was very clean. Also there were enough toilet paper stocked in each stool.

2. Comfortable? (3/5)

I personally thought it was bit too cold. There was a customer next to us that asked one of the servants to turn up the heater since it was too cold.

3. Music, Lightening (5/5)

The music was played in an adequate volume for customers to have a conversation without being interrupted with the music. The lightening as well was good.

4. Smoking or smoke free? (5/5)

The restaurant offered both smoking and smoke free seats during the lunch hours. We were seated at one of the smoke free seats and I could not notice any cigarette smell from where I was seating. 

5. Condiments (5/5)

There was enough salt in salt shaker and enough silverware/napkins for four people. However I thought it would had been better if there were more napkins on the table.

TOTAL SCORE: 92/100

☆My Imaginary Trip to Italy☆ part 1

On December 26^th 2014 my mother, my brother and I went to an Italian restaurant called “Dada” located in Fuji, Shizuoka. At first I was planning on going to a different restaurant, however I have changed my mind prior to my visit back home. “Dada” has been my all-time favorite Italian restaurant and been there for more than I could count. “Dada” is one of the famously known Italian restaurants in Shizuoka, especially in eastern part of the prefecture. I have evaluated my visit to Dada into four different criteria with 5 to 6 questions to each criteria. Each question is evaluated with a score out of five and which sums up with a total score of 100. (Evaluation is on another paper)

The physical appearance of the restaurant can be stated as very modern and casual. I personally thought it was bit unique in a way since it was round shaped. The entrance way that leads to the door is decorated with pots filled with colorful flowers. These flowers were designed by the local professional florist. There was two entrances to enter the parking lot of the restaurant. The one in front can be entered from a big road that is from across the restaurant. However this road gets crowded during the rush hours and also during lunch hours which may have an effect on the customers who wish to enter the restaurant during the lunch hours. The restaurant itself is located in very calm place and there are other restaurants located nearby. One of the difficulties that some customers may encounter is problem of transportation. Since Fuji is very small rural city only way to get to the restaurant is either by car or taxi. The nearest train stop is Yoshiwara station, however it will probably take more than an hour by walk. Therefore taking a taxi to get to the restaurant is highly recommended if you are not eligible to go there by car.

There was a sign at the door that had today’s pasta and entrée written on it. There were about 15 chairs on the doorway for the customers to wait when the seats are full. The doorway was decorated with artworks done by local artists. As same with the physical appearance, the restaurant was designed very casually and modern. Since it was only a day after Christmas, the inside of the restaurant was still decorated with Christmas decorations. There were two Christmas trees and with Christmas wreaths. As how I mentioned earlier, the building is circular shaped. The restaurant offered both smoking and smoke free seats. However the whole restaurant is smoke free during the dinner hours. If the customer wishes to smoke, there is a small room in the middle of the restaurant where the customer can smoke. It offered both sofa and chair seats, also there is a bar counter for customers who came by their selves. We were offered a table that had both sofa and chair seats that holds four people. The servant instantly brought us water and the menu as we were seated and she nicely described the today’s pasta and entrée. Only condiment that was at the table was salt shaker. My mother wondered why there were rice bits inside the salt shaker. Also there was enough silver ware and napkins for four people. It also had a paper and pen for customer who wish to write any recommendations or a message to the restaurant. Almost all of the servants were female and they look all young. They were all nicely uniformed however I thought they looked bit unfriendly due to lack of smiling.

The restaurant offered three different types of lunch menu which are only served on the weekdays. There was also a normal menu that is mainly for lunch on weekends and during the dinner hours however it could be ordered on the days where the lunch menus are served as well. All three of us chose a set much called “dada lunch set” which comes with a choice of either salad or soup; choice of either pasta, pizza, main dish, rice dish or pizza; 1 drink and a lunch size dessert. There was total of 64 pastas, 10 main dishes, 8 rice dishes, and 6 pizzas to choose from. The cost varies between the choice of an entrée ranging from ¥1,100 to ¥2,980. I ordered Carbonara with Seasoned cod roe/ Mentaiko and hot tea, my mom ordered Leek with Seasoned cod roe/ Mentaiko and ice milk tea and my brother ordered Potato and Bacon topped with cheese and ice oolong tea. The restaurant offered a large size pasta with addition of 200 yen and the size of the desert can be changed to a bigger size with an addition of 150 yen. My mother and I ordered a regular size pasta but my brother ordered a larger size. We were asked whether we wanted our drinks instantly or with the dessert. My brother asked to bring his drink instantly while my mother and I asked to bring it with the dessert. The order was taken at 11:07. Salad and my brother’s oolong tea were served at 11:10. I noticed that servant was frequently looking at our table to see whether we were finished eating our salad. The servant noticed that we were done with our salad and came to our table to take away the salad bowl. My brother’s pasta was served at 11:18 when other two pasta were served at 11:20. Therefore all of the pasta were served within 15 minutes. I was bit disappointed with the fact that the servants did not noticed that I was out of water and I had to ask for another cup of water. I think it is important for the servants to notice what the customer wants before they ask. My mom and my brother finished eating their meal at 11:35 and the servant came to our table around 11:37 to clear the dishes. I finished eating my meal at 11:41 and the servant came instantly to clear the dishes and informing us that she will bring the drinks and desert. The drinks were brought at 11:43 and the dessert was brought at 11:46. The desert came on a plate with three different types of deserts. The servant nicely informed us what each desert was. The hot tea came on a tea pot
with a warm tea cup and 2 sticks of sugar.

Salad

(Red cabbage, radish, potherb mustard/みずな, sprout, turnip seasoned with homemade tomato vinegar dressing and topped with fried bacon) I thought there was bit too much dressing.

Potato and Bacon topped with cheese (Large size)

Cream sauce with corn, deep fried potato and bacon seasoned with parsley and cheese. 

¥1,430+200

Carbonara with Seasoned cod roe/ Mentaiko

Carbonara based pasta with bacon and mentaiko seasoned with green onions. I thought it could be better if they added more mentaiko because it was not spicy at all. 

¥1,750

Leek with Seasoned cod roe/ Mentaiko

Oil based pepperoncino with leek, mentaiko. It was topped with fried garlic

¥1600

Dessert:

(From left to right)

Santa Clause candy, white chocolate cheese cake topped with whipped cream, green apple jello with kiwi fruit and cookie espresso ice cream.

As a perspective of non-coffee drinker, I thought the espresso was too thick. 

               The regular menu offers dishes from wide range of varieties and it also offers seasonal menus. 15 salad/appetizers, 7 rice dishes, 68 pasta, 7 pizzas (small or regular size), 9 main dishes, 5 kids menu, 10 deserts, 3 courses, 42 non-alcohol drinks, 25 alcohol drinks and 20 wines. Most of the meat that they use for the main dishes are the local meat brands. The restaurant also offers seasonal menus, which are 1 main dish, 1 pasta and 8 deserts.

              The restroom was divided into men and women. In case of women there were three stools (2 Western style and 1 Japanese style). The restroom was very clean and there was enough toilet paper in each stools. At the cashier, they were selling their homemade pasta and homemade flower arrangements. 

I been to Dada more than I could count and I always go there when I take a trip back to Shizuoka. Their fascinating delicious amazing foods makes me fulfilled with happiness and joy every time. It also makes me fulfilled with a sacrifice that I ate too much. I highly recommend all of the Italian food lovers to take a trip to Shizuoka and have an Italian meal as one of your memories in your trip to Shizuoka. If you are planning on going there for lunch, I highly recommend to go to the restaurant at 11 when it opens. That is because it gets pretty crowded as it gets close to 12 and you might have to wait to be seated. As for meal, I highly recommend Potato bacon pasta and ice milk tea that is because this restaurant is known for these two. I hope you will have a chance to visit dada and have a fabulous time there :D

Restaurant Information:

静岡県富士市高嶺町 11-6

Tel: 0545-57-2275

11:00-24:00 (L.O 23:00)

http://www.1cho-me.jp/page_html/dada/

 

☆Restaurant Reviews: Written and Visual

HEY GUYSS!!!

Hows everyone spending their winter break so far?

As for me, I'm currently back in Shizuoka and all I have been doing is eating and watching TV...

What a great way to get chubby lol

My high school is hosting a Seijinshiki on January 4th so I can't wait to reunite with all of my friends back from high school.. :D


So.... I need something to put me back in the road of reality so I will analysis the blog and the video about the restaurant evaluation that we were given in our last IE class.







So first, me and my partner was given an article called "Bubba Gump Shirm Co, restaurant review: A cavernous, deep-fried, hokey simulacrum"
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/reviews/bubba-gump-shrimp-co-restaurant-review-a-cavernous-deepfried-hokey-simulacrum-9901411.html




Some people may recognize the title but "Bubba Gumps" is one of most famous and commonly seen movies in the United States. 

There are restaurants in the United States and also in Japan that has this movie as a theme and serve dishes that are or suits to the movie. 


Through out the article the author not only criticize the restaurant but criticize the movie as the whole. For instance the author mentions, "If you haven't seen the film Forrest Gump, skip this first bit. In fact, skip the whole film. It's dreadful. Mawkish, faux-serious – surely one of the worst 'good' movies in the canon. "
Also the author mentions " If you haven't already eaten in Bubba Gump, skip that too. It's not a restaurant. It's a cavernous, laminated, wipe-down, deep-fried, hokey simulacrum of a restaurant, sucking up shoals of tourists in the catering equivalent of industrial fishing." criticizing the restaurant as well. 


☆Does the reviewer show any special "insider" knowledge of the chefs or the restaurants's plans for the future?
The reviewer does not show any special insider knowledge. about the restaurant or about the chef. That is due to the reason that all the reviewer mentions is his criticism and hatred towards the restaurant and the food that are served. 


☆What is the writing style of the review?
I thought the reviewer's idea towards the restaurant is very simple and to the point. He is stating his view about how Bubba Gumps is the last restaurant on his recommendation list. From this it can be portrayed that his visit in the Bubba Gumps was very unpleasant one. 


☆Does the reviewer include a convenient grid?
No, the reviewer does not include a convenient grid that informs the reader about the location, the price and the information about the restaurant. However when the reviewer is informing how the food that he ordered was unpleasant, he includes the price of the dish in pounds. 


☆What additional information can you find out about the restaurant from their website?
What information that i found out about the restaurant from their website was that this restaurant is located in all over the world. Other than that, what the reviewer mentioned in the article was correct. Especially about how the restaurant has the movie as a theme but there is nothing that from the movie that fits into the restaurant except about shrimp. 


☆Based on the review, would you and your partner like to try this restaurant?
I have been to this restaurant twice and unlike the reviewer my visit there was very pleasant and I was very satisfied with the food that was served. So if I was given an opportunity to go there again, i would love to go there. However, I would not want to go there if I had to make a decision whether to go there or not by just reading this review. 






The video that my partner and I were given to evaluate on is called "Omaha Restaurant Spoofs Negative Yelp Reviews"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6cXJf3aVUQ


☆What is focused on in the review?
The video focuses on a restaurant located in Omaha called Block 16. They are one of the most popular restaurants in town. However they sometimes get a bad review that sometimes hurts their feelings. This video focuses on what the owner does with the bad reviews that they get and turning to a laugh. 


☆How does it differ from the written review in presentation and content? What does have it have in common among these two?
The differences among these two review is that the written review was too biased. It just stated his idea and thoughts about the restaurant, movie, and the food. While the video focused more on what the owners and managers are doing with the bad review that they sometimes get about the store. 


☆Are chefs, owners, managers, or restaurant staff featured in the video?
Both the chefs and owner is featured in the video. I do not think in this case their appearance had any thing to do with the providing the information about the restaurant nor making it too biased. That is because they are just practically answering the interview about their experience about getting a bad review of their restaurant but just making a laugh about of it from those by making a video. 


☆What criticisms do you have of the video?
I do not have any criticism towards the video. I thought it was very unique and very funny in a way that owners of the restaurant are taking this action about the bad reviews that they sometimes get. 

☆The hidden facts about McDonalds.... ☆

Hello hello and hellloooooo...


How is everyone doing??
I'm doing okay.. i guess.. but it totally could be wayyyyyyyyyyyyy better lol


It seems like cold is going around. 
Everywhere I go i find at least one or two person who has caught a cold.. 


Watch out for those yucky and gross germs!! 

Sooo.. I went to Disney sea just yesterday before my part time job and drank a drink called "Kahula Mocha Cocktail" !!!

It's a hot alcoholic drink and it has chocolate bits inside and topped with whipped cream and more chocolate bits! 
Sounds yummy,right?? Well, it sure was! lol 
I wanted to introduce it to you guys all ,because it is pretty rare to find an alcoholic drink that is one, chocolate flavored and two, topped with whipped cream! :D

I'm planning on going there again next week and i'm planning on drinking this and another alcoholic drink called "hot chocolate cocktail"!! 





So the video that i have chosen for this week's assignment is

"15 Outrageous Facts About McDonalds"

↑This video focuses on 15 facts of McDonalds that are not commonly known by the public.  I will state few of the facts that were mentioned in the video that I thought was either interesting or was shocked about. 

First fact that a term called "McJob". The term "McJob" was printed in one of the famous dictionary, "Merriam-Webster" defying that the term refers to a low wage possession where anyone is eligible to master. I saw shocked about how a term that criticizes the McDonald workers exists and how the Merriam Webster putted this term in their dictionary. They were sued by McDonalds however they were released with no charge since they stated how they are just stating a "fact" not a criticism. 

Second fact is the existence of a school called "Hamburger University". In this school, students are taught how to flip burgers and how to say "would you like flies with that?" in total of 28 different languages. 

In the past, McDonalds has been sued by their customers numerous of times. One of the famous case is when 79 year old customer at one of the McDonalds in the  United Stated spilled a hot coffee and caused her self to get a third degree burn. She sued McDonalds for her burn and as a result she was awarded half a million dollars. I thought this was ridiculous. Since it is not the company's fault that she got a third degree burn. It was her own action that led to her burn, therefore it does not make any sense that the McDonalds was charged for this.

Another fact was how the company makes some changes in their restaurant to adjust the environment of that country or a city. One of which is their famous logo. You may think that their logo is same throughout the whole world, however the company makes some changes in order to fit to the atmosphere of the city. For instance, the logo of the restaurants in Paris is white, the one located in Time Square is neon color and etc.