Chef Mateo

"Man gotta wine and dine... Woman too!" -Mateo

As a native New Yorker, I go out to eat quite often.  Although I am a Home Chef and love to cook, living alone prevents me from cooking every night (I give food away all the time.  My doormen have all gained weight.). After all this is the culinary capitol of the world.

A city diverse in culture and style pushing forward the boundaries of cooking creativity, blending flavors and spices from different cuisines, experimenting with new tastes and flavors to scintillate and stimulate the intellectual appetites of the hungry masses.

I use the Zagat Restaurant Guide for addresses and phone numbers, and not much else.  My palate is different from the collective, and I often find Zagat ratings way off the mark.  The recent Guide Michelin has proven even more esoteric.  I find the only reliable source is to align myself with friends and colleagues I trust, people who share the same ideas about food and wine as I do.  Then I go check it out for myself.  I am very cost-conscious, and I tend to look at the dining experience holistically. 

I usually go to restaurants a few times before passing judgment, but some are so bad, I'll never return.  My restaurant rating system is based on a similar philosophy as my wine, that is to say, does the food and wine dining experience rank well with other establishments of its genre, taking into account price, service, and purpose.

NYC is famous for cheap ethnic eateries which may not get a rating, but will be noted for its authentic excellence.

For Mateo's Restaurant Rating System, click here.