Check, Please! Bay Area

First of all, I agree with the reviewers who have commented on the host’s theatrics and histrionics. She’s the main reason I usually bypass this show. Besides the fakiness of her demeanor, it really makes me cringe when she tries to effect some sort of accent with a (usually Italian) word. ‘Stromboli’ is the word that comes to mind at the moment, but there have definitely been others. Then very frequently all four of them start talking at the same time, laughing in a sort of party-​type atmosphere, which to me seems very unprofessional.
I have to give some of the reviews their due, many are enticing enough to want to make one take a trip and try the place. It’s also nice to be able to get a glimpse of what some of the more outlying parts of the Bay Area have to offer in the way of eateries. Some reviews are better than others, but it would definitely help if the everyone-​talking-​at-​the-​same-​time could be leveled off, to give the viewer a more comprehensive idea of whatever restaurant they’re trying to promote. Isn’t that something that the host is supposed to regulate?

Love the show, but please, can you back off on the extreme zoom when showing close ups on the food? It’s so close, it actually makes me a little nauseous instead of enticing me to want to try the food…:/
Thanks!

Well don’t always believe what you hear on this show. Yes, it is entertaining, BUT some of these people really miss the mark when it comes to saying, «THIS IS A GREAT PLACE» Seriously people??? I’ve tried several of them and was quite disappointed. The BEST one was Masa’s, which I believe to be better than The French Laundry. So buyers beware, tread lightly when it comes to Check please, or you will find yourself in my shoes!!!

At one time, I was willing to put up with the overbearing theatrics of the host in order to hear ordinary folks talk about their eating experience. Not all of them were articulate (nice.good food) but they seemed honest and relatively spontaneous and happy to disagree, Now, however, the show seems to have edit out –with a ham-​fisted abruptness– negative and off-​the-​mark opinions. Everyone likes everything, creating a dullness beyond dull. If North Korea had a cooking show, it might resemble this one. Yes, I exaggerate, but my disappointment is enormous. Imagine a movie review show with the same stiff politeness and conformity of opinion of this show, along with loads of tiresome food porn, in essence free ads for the restaurants. What would be the point?
At the very least, dump the host whose mannerisms and strained gayety make the show feel even more fake than it already is.

I really appreciate this show Lesley Anne is an excellent host. Ninety percent of the guest reviewers are knowledgeable and fair. Ten percent can be annoying, however, this only adds to the charm of the show. Check Please provides a great glimpse into they restaurants featured.

Lame show. My buddy was on it and he said it was a terrible experience. First, he had to go to the two other restaurants on his dime. How cheap can they be? Sure, it’s public TV, but come on! And then once he got on the show, another reviewer trashed his restaurant for some really dumb reasons. It was funny – because in return my friend then trashed the other guy’s favorite place. He admitted that he actually liked it, but he got so mad he trashed it as revenge. If I want a fair restaurant review, I want it from a food reviewer like Grace Ann Walden or Susan Dyer Reynolds – not someone who might have an untrained palate or his friends own the place and he or she wants to promote them. Also, the host of the show does not seem to do any homework on the resturants being discussed. Dumb concept and not a good deal for the guests who appear on it. And that’s why I don’t watch it anynmore/.

Great show for checking out new eateries. My friends and I have gone to a few restaurants featured on the show. I like the fact that the restaurants are not aware they are being critiqued.
I think it has a very good, simple format that foodies of all kinds can appreciate. I’m sure there are many people here on Unilocal that have tried out a restaurant after watching a show then Unilocaled about it. I hope the show sticks around for a long time!

It’s alright for what it is. 3 different persons with their own critique, which is fairly true. I prefer Unilocal because there are dozens or more reviews on various days — which are more in depth.

My favorite PBS show.
I’ve went to more then a few places after seeing it on Check, Please!

Every time I watch this show I consider immediately making reservations at all three restaurants. It’s similar to when I watch Rick Bayless and feel the inescapable urge to make enchiladas.

Wow… Check, Please doesn’t have a review yet?! Crazy. My boyfriend and I DVR this show and watch it at night. That’s probably not such a good time though cause then we get so hungry before bed. Haha
Anyway, it’s a great show that showcases tasty restaurants from around the Bay Area. It uses 3 local residents and their favorite restaurant picks. Each of the locals go to the others choice and then they meet to discuss what they thought of the restaurants selected and tell why they choose their favorite. I’d love to be on it but I have yet to decide which of my ‘favorite’ restaurants I’d wanna feature.
Half of my recent Unilocal bookmarks are from shows we’ve seen featured on Check, Please. Thanks for the well done presentations of restaurants I’d never find without the local hints!
See ya soon!

this is a great show. one of the gems of local, bay area telelvision. I don’t have the time or money to go out to eat very often. So, I find the show a way to vicariously enjoy many of the culnary treasures of the area. it would take me several months to eat at three places they review in one show! And the videography of the food and places, the interviews, are all really well done. They select the participants really well. Their banter is usually insightful and entertaining, and i’ve grown to really appreciate the host. (I never noticed the wart but, then, i try not to judge women’s competence on their looks, just when i want to fuck them.)
As for the restaurants themselves, i’ve actually tried out a few. Of the three i remember, two weren’t good – a chinese vegetarian place in downtown oakland (i don’t remember the name) and tropix, also in oakland (the fried plantains and black beans were awesome but the goat with curry was so hot it was tasteless and the dish my brother ordered also sucked. They did let me order something else without charging for two dishes, but it wasn’t that good, either.) The good restaurant was Tres Agaves in SF. Great tequila drinks, good service (the waiter made sure i was satisfied with the drink by bringing extra fresh-​squeezed lime juice), and the tacos were tasty! (ooops, i just remembered this was reviewed on a different show, not Check Please! Bay Area.)
In spite of the two strikes, i’m still willing to try out other restaurants reviewed on the show, but i’m something of a culinary risk-​taker/​adventurer.

This show along with my fiancé helped me find the inner foodie in me and boy am I glad. The treasures that we have visited and are still going to visit that have been reviewed here are countless. It’s not hard to see why they won a Northern California Emmy and were recognized with a James Beard award also. Anyone who likes to dine should watch some of the back logged restaurants on their website. What I like is that there are all types of places reviewed not just top end restaurants. Anyone headed down the foodie road that I have been steered towards should check out this show. When I’m not watching the UFC or Football, tivo’d Check Please episodes are always being contemplated!!!
Watch Thu at 7:30pm, Friday at 1:00pm & Sat at 1:00pm on KQED 9. Also on KQED’s digital channels: HD (709), Life (191), Encore (183).