How we rate restaurants

• Zero stars -- Below average; while there may still be something to recommend this restaurant, the overall quality of the service, food and ambiance is such that I cannot recommend it to readers.

• 1/2 star: Promising. Demonstrates ability to be a good restaurant.

• One star -- Good; restaurants that offer a pleasant experience without significant flaws. These restaurants may have things to work on, but good qualities ultimately outweigh problems.

• 1 1/2 stars: Good to very good

• Two stars -- Very Good; restaurants with high standards of food, service and ambiance; the experience may not offer anything remarkably innovative, but visits are consistently enjoyable.

• 2 1/2 stars: Very good to excellent

• Three stars -- Excellent; not only is there a consistently high standard for food, service and design, these restaurants offer a truly unique, polished experience.

• 3 1/2 stars: Excellent to outstanding.

• Four stars -- Outstanding; these restaurants are worth traveling far out of your way and saving up your money. Cuisine is creative, delicious and sophisticated and service is flawlessly executed. Design and ambiance harmonize with food and service for an experience you will remember for years to come.