Tom Colicchio in “Best New Restaurant”

I love trying out new restaurants. Oh sure, like most people I have my go-to places, my local favorites down the street and the joints that I always make sure I stop at when I travel.

There's that thrill of the unknown, though, walking through the door of a newly opened eatery. Like a 16th-century explorer striking out with only a vague idea of what to expect, never knowing if I'm about to experience the best meal of my life or suffer through the worst service I've ever encountered.

Well, apparently, Tom Colicchio has a thing for new restaurants, too. The acclaimed chef, restaurateur and host of Bravo's "Top Chef" launched a new series on the cable channel last week, and while in "Top Chef" he's looking for -- well -- the best chef, in this one, he's hunting down the best new restaurant he can find.

In fact, that's even the name of the show. "Best New Restaurant" airs Wednesday nights, and if the premiere was any indication, it's going to be a fun ride.

Along with Maggie Nemser (CEO of foodie website BlackboardEats.com) and Jeffrey Zurofsky (co-founder of gourmet sandwich restaurant Witchcraft), each episode will find Colicchio putting two restaurants through their paces to determine which one really stands out.

First, the trio will descend on each restaurant without notice with 30 hungry diners in tow to see how the restaurant handles a suddenly packed house.

Of course, since Colicchio is there, everyone on staff will be on their best behavior. That's why, for the second test, he sends in a pair of undercover diners with hidden cameras to get the real guest's perspective.

Finally, once all that is said and done, the two competing restaurants will bring their staff together in a neutral location where they'll serve a group of VIP diners without the comfortable familiarity of their home restaurant.

It's all in the spirit of friendly competition, but there's a lot on the line for the restaurants here, too. The winner of the overall competition at the end of the season will win $100,000, a feature in "Bon Appétit" magazine and even a featured spot at the Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit 2015 food festival.

It's that kind of recognition that can really put a new restaurant on the map and ensure its success for many meals to come. "Best New Restaurant" currently airs Wednesday nights on Bravo.