FOOD REVIEW
• Give a background knowledge about the food.
• Ask how much the food is to be able to know
if it is worth the price.
• Explain the food’s good and not-so-good
qualities.
• Answer if you would still like to eat the food
or otherwise.
WRITING A FOOD PLACE
REVIEW
CAFÉ FLORA: NOT SO ‘FLOWERY’
AFTER ALL
BY CAMILLE CURITANA
Cafe Flora is a Filipino-themed all-you-can-eat
buffet located at the second floor of the Marikina
Hotel. It is one of the most sought-after
attractions of the said hotel as diners from all
over the Philippines visit it whenever they happen
to be in Marikina. For all it is worth, it seems to
be doing a great job of attracting tourists, which, I
think, was the very reason why the Marikina City
government established the said restaurant in the
first place.
THE FIRST PARAGRAPH SHOULD
ALWAYS GIVE YOU
SUFFICIENT BACKGROUND ABOUT THE
RESTAURANT OR FOOD PLACE.
The problem, however, is that whatever positive
impressions diners may initially have about Café
Flora, it may pop like an overblown bubble and
discourage them from visiting the restaurant the
second time around. While the price of eating
buffet style is highly affordable and the ambiance
elegant, the food that they serve, which is the
primary reason why people go there, are, at
times, not in their best condition.
THE SECOND PARAGRAPH
SHIFTS TO THE THESIS
STATEMENT.
Upon entering the gates of the hotel, one can see
right away the tarpaulin sign announcing the price of
the buffet, which is 150 Php, exclusive of drinks.
Anyone who wishes to try out their unlimited blue
lemonade or fruit juice should add a measly 50 Php.
This is not too bad given that most all-you-can-eat
buffets in Metro Manila would have a dining price
ranging from 500 Php to almost 1,000 Php. Indeed,
this seems like a good deal for both the tummy and
the pocket, and this is also what lures many visitors
into its elegant dining hall.
The dining area is also one worthy of
admiration. Its soothing scent, green
curtains with elegant embroidery, and neatly
arranged dining tables all contribute to the
relaxing ambiance of the place. Indeed, one
can feel stress going away upon being
immersed in this comfortable atmosphere.
THE THIRD AND FOURTH PARAGRAPHS
MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE REVIEW.
HOWEVER, IT USUALLY STARTS WITH
THE POSITIVE QUALITIES FIRST.
Such a pleasure, however, may be short-lived. After just one round,
at the buffet table, one will get a sense that the dishes have been
there for quite some time. First and foremost, the appetizers are
not quite as appetizing; they are mostly comprised of vegetables
which are supposedly fresh. But after a closer inspection, one will
find out that a lot of them are already worn out. Even the soups are
disappointing; they are usually served cold. Moreover, the main
courses, especially the highly esteemed Filipino dishes such as
sinigang, bopis, and humba, are also in great need of reheating. For
this reason, they are also very hard to eat since the old meat does
not only become bland to the taste, but also quite difficult to chew.
The dessert, on the other hand, is nothing more than different
colored gulaman cubes which all taste the same way.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PARAGRAPH
IS BRANCHED OUT FROM ITS
THESIS STATEMENT.
If there is anything that the management of Café Flora
should work on, it is food preparation. To keep
customers pouring in, the management should exert
extra effort to prepare dishes that are served at their
best. They should put aside the “pwede na ‘yan” (this
will do) mentality, which often breeds mediocrity, and
instead adopt a “pwedeng-pwede” (this is great)
mindset which values being the best in every possible
way so that their buffet will always be sumptuous.
A RECOMMENDATION MAY ALSO BE GIVEN
TOWARDS THE END OF THE REVIEW.
All in all, I am going to give Café Flora three
out of five stars. If you are looking for a
cozy place to relax, then Café Flora will do
the job. But if you are after great food, do
not expect too much from this restaurant.
HELP THE READERS GAUGE THE QUALITY
OF THE SERVICE OR PRODUCT.
TO MAKE THE REVIEW CREDIBLE
AND AS OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE,
WE BASE IT ON THE CRITERIA IN A
RUBRIC.
•Taste and food presentation
•Ambiance
•Service
•Value of Money
•Cleanliness
