Remember those classic words of wisdom from the film "Forrest Gump?"
I know there were many, but this is the phrase I'm talking about: "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
I feel the same way about writing restaurant reviews. After one of my critiques is published, I'm never quite sure what the reaction will be. Will most agree - or call me crazy? Will the business under fire embrace constructive criticism or should I brace myself for an icy reception the next time I visit?
Will improvements be made or a chef be fired? Both have happened, although the latter was never my intention. (In that case, the quality of the food was the least of the restaurant's problems.)
Far more often than not, however, the results are positive. I rode Charleston Brewing Company and Black Sheep Burrito pretty hard when they first opened, but the third iteration of that bar and restaurant is now among my favorite in town.
I've given some "tough love" to Bricks & Barrels, too, but it's out of a very sincere desire to see that place succeed. And I hear they've brought in a few consultants to help them do just that.
Should I take credit for these successes? Of course not. But did thoughtful commentary about initial problems help spark conversation and eventual change? Not only would I like to think so, but I hear it all the time - from restaurant owners and chefs themselves.
Another success story came just this week, when I popped into Cozumel Mexican Restaurant at Ashton Place for an icy margarita after a particularly trying day. I wasn't in the best of moods walking in, but I was walking on sunshine when I left.
Tequila played a supporting role in that transition, but here's the real reason. A woman sitting next to me at the bar asked her waiter to share recommendations about his favorite dishes on the menu.
"The Carnitas and Steak Ranchero are really good," he told her, "but we've been selling the Burrito Glory like crazy lately."
My ears perked up, remembering that I recently wrote how that burrito was one of my top 10 dishes in Charleston.
"Why's that?" I asked him.
"Ever since that guy in the newspaper wrote about it, everyone wants to try it."
I quickly paid my tab and walked out with a smile.
nnn
Speaking of restaurant reviews, I'd like to "crowd source" my next one by seeking out some of your opinions on Little India, now that it's been under new ownership for a couple of months.
That great little restaurant on Charleston's East End was one of my favorites for top-notch Indian food, so I was crushed to hear when former owners Harish and Meena Anada announced earlier this year that they were turning it over to someone new.
Not only did they build a successful restaurant in a location where so many others had failed, but the food was really, REALLY good. I have a brother-in-law in San Diego who's somewhat of an expert on ethnic cuisine and Little India is the place he always wanted to eat when he came to town, saying it was as good as any in his area.
Harish and Meena had a great five-year run before wanting to sell the restaurant (and upstairs Fireside Lounge bar) to spend more time with family.
New husband-wife owners Harjinder and Harpreet Singh, and Harpreet's brother Jaswant Kaur, pledged to maintain the same quality food and service customers had come to expect - while also putting their own "spin" on some dishes.
That's a risky proposition, for sure, but is it working?
If you've been to Little India recently, I'd love to know what you thought about the food, service and overall experience. I've stopped in a couple times myself (and I am a little concerned), but I'll combine your comments with my own thoughts to see if we can reach a consensus on the "new" place.
Steven Keith writes a weekly food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or by email at dailymailfoodguy@aol.com. You can also follow him on Facebook and Pinterest as "DailyMail FoodGuy," on Twitter as "DMFoodGuy" and read his blog at blogs.wvgazettemail.com/foodguy.