My New Food Blog

Hello All!
I am new to this blogging  business, and I have actually been putting it off a little, but my kids have been pushing me so, I will give it a try.
In case you haven't already guessed this is a Food Blog! Specifically, about restaurants that I have gone to in my home area, which is Monmouth County New Jersey, as well as restaurant experiences in the Pinellas county Florida area. I recently purchased a second home in Palm Harbor Florida and eat out quite a bit there, when I am in town. I will also be including information from any restaurants that I eat at when I am travelling.
Ever since I can remember, I have always loved to eat out. I was the youngest of four children and I was a constant companion to my Mom and Dad when they would go out to eat, usually without my older siblings who were in their teens and didn't have any interest in hanging out with their parents. My father loved Chinese food and Spanish food, he would take my Mom to restaurants in the city and when my mom would come home she would try to duplicate recipes. I loved to help my Mother in the kitchen and she was quite a successful cook, despite her Irish roots. She could make delicious Italian meatballs and sauce (gravy as some like to call it, however "gravy" in my house was brown, not red), and could make a fantastic Paella. Mind you, my Mom was cooking these dishes at home in the 60's and 70's when home cooks didn't cook like that. She even made Chinese food at home, no small feat in the days of LaChoy and we were the only people I knew that owned a real Wok!
I still love to cook at home, but, I love to go out too! There is nothing like having an absolutely fabulous meal that someone else cooks it, serves it AND cleans up after you! However, there is nothing worse than anticipating a fabulous meal and having it be a flop. In this blog, I intend to comment on the restaurants: locations, parking conditions, price, wait times/reservations and service, but the most important thing I will comment on will be the FOOD, if the food sucks and the ambiance is perfect then whats the point! Please forgive me if I ramble on about the food but leave out other aspects of the dining experience, after all the blog is called Rants and Raves!
The first review will be coming soon, I hope you all enjoy....