Yes, this reality cooking show is like those that have come before it, but--at least in this episode--it stands out for what it doesn’t have. There’s no yelling and there’s no long bleeps to cover up cursing.

On Best New Restaurant, [Tom Colicchio] is less guarded and more engaged with the chefs and restaurateurs, learning how their experience, management style and personalities interplay in the kitchen and in dining room. A delightful surprise of the premiere are those seemingly genuine, not pumped-up-for-the cameras personalities.

The adequately nerve-shredding Best New Restaurant finds 16 recently opened eateries battling it out. [23 Jan 2015, p.70]