Restaurants! They’re something that I’ve heard people say they struggle with nominating, but I’ve had some good luck with independent restaurants in my area, and I want to share my secret sauce for getting them in game.
With the web submission portal for Wayfarer, we now can add up to five supporting images for a nom, and using them effectively in conjunction with detailed supporting text has helped me really demonstrate what makes a spot unique and worth adding to the game board. I’m not saying this will work every time, but I wanted to show what’s working for me right now.
Example 1: Chef Ping
While Chinese food is common enough near me, a place that features Sichuan is much less common. But what does it take to walk the reviewers right up to the unique aspects of this restaurant?
My first two images are pictures of the menu, demonstrating the rarer dishes: jellyfish salad and sea cucumber are not something you find at just any Chinese restaurant around here. I even added a note on them more specifically: “Also, for any reviewer curious: sea cucumber has a texture kind of like cooked mushrooms, and absorbs the flavor of any sauce or broth it’s in.”
Being able to demonstrate that a restaurant is recognized in media like newspapers or given awards helps show it’s not run-of-the-mill.
I love a good interior shot to establish atmosphere. This one could, perhaps, have been cut, but I liked the vibes too much. This nomination sailed through voting pretty easily.
Example 2: Parea Greek Kitchen
Was I being cheeky, when I chose not to use the outside facade for my main photo? Maybe a little. I upgraded this because I’d reported the previous wayspot at this location and wanted to be certain to replace it ASAP for my locals.
So, the tactics I used with Chef Ping are my starting point here:
Award from the Chamber of Commerce for Emerging Business of the year, interior photo.
I also added the exterior photo for the sake of streetview matching. I still feel the main photo I went with is going to be a cooler gift to send. But with two photos left, how can I really show off what makes Parea unique and interesting?
Saginaki (cheese set aflame tableside right before serving) and a glimpse at the dishes on offer–specifically, this was a combo platter with spanikopita (spinach pie), dolmades (grape leaf-wrapped meat), gyros (gyros) and pastitsio (not-not Greek lasagna). What makes this place unique? The food is bomb and the waiters light things on fire, and those are reasons you’d bring a friend or family member here.
To conclude:
You have five images to help you convince reviewers that the restaurant you’re visiting is not just another chain, that this is a spot worthy of recognizing for making the community better. Using them as effectively as possible gives you a much better chance of your nomination being successful than just proving that the restaurant is pedestrian accessible.
