Tallahassee Table
Dining & drinking in Florida's Capital City and beyond…
  • Home
  • About
  • Calendar
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • Chefs
  • Farming
  • Contact Us

Our rating system

by Tallahassee Table August 2, 2016

Tallahassee Table has just three ratings for the restaurants we review…

Neighborhood fare  *

Worth the drive * *

One of the best * * *

Yes, we know dining is much more complicated than that. The arts of growing, preparing, serving and consuming food have as many nuances as the number of people who eat.

Also, your dining experience obviously can be influenced by a host of factors, including who you’re with, location, other diners, time of day, the seasons, lighting, sound levels, temperature, your mood, the equipment the chef is using, alcohol, price, value, and more, more, more. The presence of so many factors, and all of them variable, all of them in degrees, can add up to a great, good, average, indifferent or bad experience.

But we (my husband and I) think it’s mostly the food, with the extra and often critical spices of ambiance and service. Tasty food and friendly service can add up to something wonderful, even if you’re standing outside a food truck or hot dog stand batting mosquitoes. Stellar service and a captivating setting may not mean as much if the food’s just so-so – or they may help even out the blah part.

See? So many nuances and combinations, it can get complicated, and very subjective very quickly.

So we’re trying to keep it simple. Food, service and setting. How do they combine, or not, to make you feel? Is it worth shelling out your dining dollars here?

We’ve been writing professionally about food and dining for a while, and we’ve learned a few things. But we’ve always tried to avoid getting snooty about it. We just like to eat, and write about it. (By the way, we dine anonymously and pay our way.)

We’re hoping to establish some broad but tested guidelines and, with consistency, we hope they’ll help us all to make good decisions about where and what to eat and drink in the Capital City and beyond.

We will also always remember that however we rate a dining experience, it’s just our opinion. You have yours, too. Let’s compare. And let’s eat.

 

Share FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Newsletter Signup

About Tallahassee Table

Breaking bread together is one of our most social human activities, and I’m convinced that food is the key to knowing a place and its people.

Here in Tallahassee and the surrounding area, we may not have, in sheer numbers, the dining choices some other locales have, but there’s a very vibrant — and growing — food culture here.

I hope you’ll help me, and you, grow with it. I welcome your comments and suggestions.

To submit a tip or pose a question to our editors, click here.




Read about our rating system.

Reader Favorites

  • Chef Michael Symon shares his love of cooking

  • From bomb squad to bakery: Detective starting a new venture

  • Black Restaurant Week puts a spotlight on local businesses

  • Get a behind-the-scenes look at our local farms

  • Outdoor breakfast spots perfect for fall in Tallahassee

Categories

How to Reach Us

  • To submit your restaurant or business listing, click here.
  • To add an event to our events calendar, click here.
  • To join our email list to be notified of new posts, click here.
  • To submit a tip or pose a question to our editors, click here.

Instagram

tallahasseetable

tallahasseetable
The dish shakshuka is one of several fun dishes yo The dish shakshuka is one of several fun dishes you'll find at brunch on Saturdays and Sundays at Liberty Bar & Restaurant. Wake up to the wonderful spicy aroma of the African-influenced tomato sauce, with two poached eggs, onions and peppers, topped with feta cheese and served with several slices of sourdough made next door at The Hawthorn Bistro & Bakery. Other brunch dishes at Liberty include eggs Benedict, omelets, chicken and waffles, a Scotch egg, Southwest tofu scramble and Kentucky Hot Brown -- another interesting choice with poached eggs. Enjoy! 🥣
I had a chance to visit Fort Lauderdale recently a I had a chance to visit Fort Lauderdale recently and my daughter, son-in-law and grandpup took me to Char-Hut, one of our favorite spots when the kids were growing up. We devoured their juicy, cooked-to-order burgers and "frings" while sitting in the patio with the pup. Lots of memories here. If you're visiting Fort Lauderdale, there are four Char-Huts. They're a local go-to destination! 🍔 🍟 🧅
The winter storm has left many of our farmers in r The winter storm has left many of our farmers in rough shape, with a good number facing devastating losses. Many are saying that recovery will take months. If you haven’t purchased farm-fresh produce or meats, now’s a good time. There are several farmers' markets each week in Tallahassee or you can order from the Red Hills Online Market from 8 a.m. Sundays to 6 a.m. Tuesdays https://www.rhomarket.com/ (with delivery on Thursdays). For a guide to farmers’ markets, check our website at  the link in bio. 🥦 🥕
Enchiladas Caseras is one of our favorite dishes a Enchiladas Caseras is one of our favorite dishes at the authentic Mexican restaurant, Maria Maria. We devoured our enchiladas, one of several items made from family recipes. My husband raves about their pollo en crema, with chicken cooked in a delectable sauce. The restaurant name honors both the mother and grandmother of co-owner Edgar Gamez and his siblings. It's a top pick for Mexican cuisine in Tallahassee. 🫔
It's time for the big reveal. Iron Chef Michael D It's time for the big reveal.  Iron Chef Michael D. Symon -- also an author, restaurateur, philanthropist and TV personality -- is coming to Tallahassee as the headliner for the 2023 Cleaver and Cork fundraising event presented by the TCC Foundation. Proceeds from the event go toward student scholarships. It's also a boon for Tallahassee, because Cleaver and Cork brings top chefs to the Capital City. Photo via Michael Symon.
The Peruvian restaurant Cafe de Martin has just ad The Peruvian restaurant Cafe de Martin has just added breakfast on the weekend. We dashed over to enjoy a treat of delicious French toast, made with brioche, topped with berries and bacon; add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. Other choices include a classic egg platter, omelets and Peruvian sandwiches. Lima-born chef/co-owner Martin Araujo Bohorquez serves authentic fare from his homeland for lunch and dinner as well. It’s worth the trip! 🇵🇪 🍞
We joined friends for dinner at the recently opene We joined friends for dinner at the recently opened restaurant, The Huntsman, located in the former home of Cypress Restaurant, and we had a great time. We wound up trying  the South Texas Antelope Sirloin (pictured), venison backstrap, charred octopus with red deer chorizo (pictured) and kale jazzed up with wild boar bacon. If you're not interested in a meal on the wild side, other specialties include wagyu short rib, duck breast,  seaside pot pie and mouth-watering seared redfish, which was my choice (pictured). There are options for vegans and vegetarians as well. This is such a varied menu, we've just scratched the surface. For more info, visit the link in bio! 🍽
Black Radish is a bright new spot in Tallahassee w Black Radish is a bright new spot in Tallahassee with a vegetable-driven menu,  from chef/co-owner Matthew Swezey and co-owner Jesse Edmunds (Liberty Bar, Hawthorn Bistro & Bakery…). It focuses on small plates like our delicious corn ribs and a heirloom tomato sandwich on Hawthorn sourdough. Don’t miss the housemade spinach tortellini. There are a couple larger meat dishes for sharing. Black Radish is a very welcome addition! 🌽 🍷
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Facebook

Facebook

Twitter

Tallahassee Table Follow

Written by Rochelle Koff, dining blogger, freelance writer, former Miami Herald editor & restaurant critic. Please follow on Facebook @TheTallahasseeTable

tallytable
Retweet on Twitter Tallahassee Table Retweeted
buzzfeed BuzzFeed @buzzfeed ·
26 Dec

A specific prop seen at the beginning of the season is actually an important skincare tool that the makeup team used on each actor prior to makeup application. https://www.buzzfeed.com/fabianabuontempo/emily-in-paris-makeup-hair?d_id=5311627&ref=bftwbuzzfeed&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=bftwbuzzfeed

Reply on Twitter 1607390850836828162 Retweet on Twitter 1607390850836828162 1 Like on Twitter 1607390850836828162 12 Twitter 1607390850836828162
tallytable Tallahassee Table @tallytable ·
8 Aug

It was fantastic! Thanks so much TLH Beef Society and volunteers and all the breweries, food vendors and talented Ben!

TLH Beer Society @TLHBeerSociety

Free craft beer from 16 different local breweries. Amazing food trucks, a local oyster famer and the delicious TC Bakery. The soon-to-be famous Ben Flournoy of Quincy (he's only 16) on the 🎤 and 🎸.

This was, undoubtedly, one of the most EPIC parties in Tallahassee history. https://twitter.com/wakullawriter/status/1556080059550769152

Reply on Twitter 1556611427288465412 Retweet on Twitter 1556611427288465412 2 Like on Twitter 1556611427288465412 10 Twitter 1556611427288465412
tallytable Tallahassee Table @tallytable ·
3 Aug

Wow!

TLHBeerFest @TLHBeerFestival

Our current list of who’s pouring!
Yup - over 100 brewers & breweries😍 @HomebrewAssoc @JaxBeerSociety @GNVBeerSociety @TLHBeerSociety @Visit_Tally @ftibeer @Greg_Tish @Twigginsradio @bigwoodyhayes @tallytable @MadisonSocial @FLbeer @FLBeerWholesale @homebrew @beerfests

Reply on Twitter 1554786866838360064 Retweet on Twitter 1554786866838360064 Like on Twitter 1554786866838360064 1 Twitter 1554786866838360064
tallytable Tallahassee Table @tallytable ·
14 Jul

Join the anniversary celebration for the @TLHBeerSociety, the group that put our regional craft breweries on the map! Bravo!

TLH Beer Society @TLHBeerSociety

IT IS (FINALLY) TIME FOR THE BIG BEER SOCIETY NEWS!

🥁 roll, plz ....

The 5-Year Anniversary of the #TLHBeerSociety is just weeks away - and we are throwing a MASSIVE party to celebrate!

Beer. Food. Oysters. Games.

And ...

You are ALL invited!

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/life/food/beer/2022/07/14/tlh-beer-society-turning-5-and-throwing-celebration-craft-breweries-party-august-brew-bend/10053726002/

1/

Reply on Twitter 1547704820152160257 Retweet on Twitter 1547704820152160257 1 Like on Twitter 1547704820152160257 3 Twitter 1547704820152160257
Retweet on Twitter Tallahassee Table Retweeted
vandergriftkim Kimba1212 @vandergriftkim ·
5 Jun

This is great news! #BoschLegacy https://twitter.com/decider/status/1530361567623127041

Decider @decider

#BoschLegacy has already been renewed for a second season: https://trib.al/VfITeC7

Reply on Twitter 1533448698918756352 Retweet on Twitter 1533448698918756352 1 Like on Twitter 1533448698918756352 3 Twitter 1533448698918756352
Load More
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by WPTallahassee


Back To Top
Tallahassee Table
  • Home
  • About
  • Calendar
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • Chefs
  • Farming
  • Contact Us