Frequently Asked Questions

Who are you?
My name is Paolo and I love to eat. The purpose of this blog is to share my passion and dining experience with you, so hopefully it'll guide you to your next amazing meals. Although I live in Toronto, Canada, some of my reviews will be on restaurants that are located across the USA and Canada.
Why is it called the Straight Talk Diner?
Writing elegant, soul capturing dining experience with fancy adjectives is not really my forte [maybe that’s why the New York Times hasn’t returned my call for a food critic job :-)]. I just want to share my dining experience with all of you in plain, straight-forward English. No sugar-coating, no pretending everything tastes great.

You seem very picky and critical in your reviews?
Critical - yes. Picky - no. My expectation corresponds with price - more expensive, higher expectation. I am the most critical on expensive meals. When you spend $100+ on a meal, it’s only fair that you should get your value back.

Do you review “mom and pop” restaurants or only fine-dining places?
I review everything from a $5 sandwich place to a $200 tasting menu, but because I don’t have an allowance budget like a professional critic, many of my reviews will be based on the “everyday-restaurants”, and I absolutely take cost into account. A $5 burger will not and should not be judged on the same terms as a $30 burger, for example. Again, this goes back to my expectation-price model.

Can you suggest a restaurant?
Of course but it depends on what you like. Feel free to e-mail me for more information.

What’s your favorite restaurant?
That’s a tough one! There are so many restaurants that I haven’t been to yet, so I really can’t say. Le Bernadin in NYC is probably one of my favorites for its quality and consistency.

Do you have a favorite cuisine?
Nope. I find deliciousness in all cuisines.

Do you have a favorite food?
Not really, but I do have a thing for crispy pork skin (mmmm…pork skin!).

Is there anything you won’t eat?
I believe in trying anything and everything at least once. Whether or not you like it, that’s another question.

What’s your favorite food show?
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. And yes, he probably has the best job in the world (if you can call that a job).