Foodspotting - It's About Dishes, Not Just Restaurants

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 21:12:00 +0000

Have you ever been to a restaurant and couldn't decide what to order? Did you hate the dish that you ordered at a so called "five star restaurant" or loved this one amazing dish at a "one star restaurant?" If you simply know and/or want good food - then this is for you!

In my life, I have not met anyone who does not have a deep love of food. How can you not? Ya, I know it's essential and everyone needs to eat, bla bla bla... but I'm talking about an exceptional love of food. The kind that has you eating something even when you can't breathe because you're so stuffed, just because it's sitting in front of you and looks so good. It's the kind of love that personifies food and makes people say things like "ooh, those hot Cheetos are calling my name!" I bet you are all giggling to yourselves right now and thinking "that's so true!" But if I'm wrong and you cannot relate to anything that I have written thus far, then that's truly madly & deeply unfortunate for you. (Kudos if you got my reference to Savage Garden's - Truly Madly Deeply.. 14 years and I still love that song!)

One of my best friends, let's call her Sara, is probably the biggest aficionado of food that I know. Besides the fact that she's so slick and skilled in the kitchen that she makes the rest of us look bad, but she also has her very own cooking blog featuring exotic and delicious dishes! She can pretty much whip up anything you're in the mood for. Not only is she a guru in the kitchen but she definitely knows her way around various restaurants in LA also. She's the girl who picks the restaurant and knows exactly what to order. As soon as we get seated, she asks us, "Do you trust? Do you trust?," and immediately upon our slightest approval, before the waiter/waitress even gets out the words, "I'm so-and-so, and I will be your server this evening," Sara is ordering a bunch of dishes for everyone - and of course, 'family-style.' That way, we can all have a taste of each dish. Talk about dining efficiently! Let's not forget that she also orders the precise quantities of all the condiments that we would be needing for our meal. Crazy, right?

Now, given the description, you are probably picturing Sara as an overweight, if not obese, girl.... but NO! She's skinny! (Lucky bioootch!) If I were to eat like that all the time, then I would be back to my prom & "Hometown" days... and trust me, no one wants to see the lights of that! So basically, we've had to limit the lunches and dinners and find other things to do instead - mostly shopping (Oy Vey - There's another dangerous hobby!)

We all have one or two people in our lives who are exactly like Sara. If we don't eat with them, then how do we know what restaurants to go to and more importantly, what we should eat there? I would personally like to know what's good and not just take a guess. So this is where it all becomes feasible...

Foodspotting is a social and convenient way to explore dishes, not just restaurants. It enables you to find whatever you're craving, see what's good at a particular restaurant, and discover the best foods around you, wherever you go.

For the people who love to explore different restaurants and have the gift of finding the best dishes, aka SARA, then you would become Foodspotters. Foodspotters share where to find their favorite foods using photos. And for the people who merely need to find whatever they're craving, or who would like to know what to order at a particular restaurant, then you would be a Foodseeker.
But, there's a catch... to ensure the quality of each dish that is posted, there's a specific rating and reputation system... but don't worry it's not complicated! Firstly, instead of star ratings, each dish is rated by a blue ribbon, called the "nom." Foodspotters start out with only 5 noms and must earn the right to nom more foods by demonstrating expertise and building up "tips," which are reputation points. Experts are people who've spotted five or more foods of the same type. Tips are earned if someone comments, compliments, wants, or also noms something that you spotted first.
So, do you think you're a food connoisseur? (Ahem, Sara!) Well, then prove it!

The best features of Foodspotting is that:

It's visual: Because it shows you actual photos of the dish, taken by someone like yourself. Don't be fooled by the professional photos on the menus. If you like it, take a picture and post it!
It's positive: Because we don't want to know what foods you didn't like, duh! It only shows the recommended dishes. Also, it's positive because even a "one-star restaurant" can have one amazing dish that you love!
It's global: Because good food can be found absolutely anywhere! Foodspotting works in any city, state, or country.

Check out Foodspotting today and let me know if you find anything good! www.foodspotting.com

Thanks for reading!

Yours truly,

Sannam

Datevitation: Oh Chivalry, is that you?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:29:00 +0000

The phrase "chivalry is dead" is definitely one that is used readily in todays society, probably by a woman disappointed by the lack of so-called "effort" by her love-interest. Now, before I move on, let me take a second to avoid generalizing and say that not all men out there seem to be unaware of the certain standard of conduct and etiquette that accompanies the title of a "gentleman;" but truth be told, it seems as though most guys simply don't care anymore.

I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with the following conversation:
Context - Thursday, 8:30pm. Jack and Jane are dating/in a relationship.

Jack: So, what do you want to do tonight?
Jane: I don't know... what do you want to do tonight?
Jack: I don't know. What should we do?
Jane: It doesn't matter. Whatever you want.
Jack: Are you hungry? Want to get dinner?
Jane: Ok, where?
Jack: I don't know, what do you feel like eating?
Jane: I don't care, it's up to you.
Jack: I don't know....

Oh my! Writing that convo just gave me anxiety!

Listen fellas... it's not like we're asking you to buy us flowers, diamonds, or designer clothes everyday. We just want you to give us a peek of your romantic side from time to time. Do it for the girls who spend hours fixing their hair, getting their nails done, putting on makeup, and picking out the right outfit in preparation to see you.
Datevitation, a new Los Angeles-based company, makes it ridiculously easy to plan the perfect date for you and your special someone. What better than the gift of spending time and having fun with the person you love.

Datevitation is a completely customizable coupon-book service that allows you to pick the dates and customize the text of your very own love coupon book. You can choose from over 200 date activities ranging from hot air ballooning and skydiving to stargazing and serenading. My personal favorites include the unofficial anniversary, unofficial valentines day, and of course the unofficial birthday!

So basically, you choose all your Datevitations and customize the text for each one, arrange them in any order, preview the final product, and submit your order. A few days later, your one-of-a-kind present will be sitting in your mailbox. Piece of cake.
Books start at just $5.

Launched just this year in 2011, these personalized gift books enthuse couples to have fun and spend time together; it's just what you need to keep your love going strong!

Check out Datevitation today: http://datevitation.com

Gadgets and Gizmos... in Stilettos

Foodspotting - It's About Dishes, Not Just Restaurants

Datevitation: Oh Chivalry, is that you?