I have been reading with interest the comments on both mine and Gobblers sites about restaurant critics, and their qualifications to do so.
I agree with many of the points raised by both Gobbler and Sir Grumpy, and also me!
I'd feel happier about the whole review thing if we were all able to do this on a level playing field. If we ALL, for instance, blogged equally - Graeme as well - and restaurant owners had automatic right of reply, and input.
If it was more of an open forum-type situation, I feel it would be fairer. When you read a report in the Merc, it's all over red rover by then. Stiff for you if you are the business owner and have a totally valid explanation for whatever the published issue is.
PS - I just booked at Lenna for a meal in the restaurant next week and coincidentally got the Manager. I told him I was making the reservation as a direct result of the crappy write-up he got in last Sunday's Sunday Tasmanian. He thanked me for the support, then said that actually last Sunday they had been flat out, and have received many expressions of solidarity from people in the industry.
They are currently getting together a letter to go into the Sunday Tasmanian to counter Graeme's claims - and will be happy for anyone to contribute to this - so if you're a do-er, and feel you want to add your message about the review they received in the paper, please do so.
Please note I am merely passing on information, in the interests of fairness - not necessarily stating an opinion either one way or the other!
Thursday, 14 June 2007
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4 comments:
Me too!! I would hope a critic would criticize positively.
PS Georgie's back!
Kzee
I agree, Rita. We all like our restaurant reviews and we don't wan't to be unfair to the reviewer either.
Your response from the restaurant is interesting and heartwarming.
Your earlier points on the issue and Gobbler' are all well made.
I think it shows we DO give a stuff.
I think it would be newsworthy for Graeme Phillips to go back to Lenna for Round Two.
If he wrote it up this way, saying there was a ripple from various circles over the review, so he decided to give it another go etc, it would make a good read.
Whatever the fresh findings.
Cheers Rita for your level- headedness.
Sir Grumpy
Yes we do CARE about the recipiant of a bad review, especially if we all know that they are making a bloody good effort against the odds.
It shows that we reaaly WANT them to succeed & thet we really WANT a great experience.
Tasmania, step up to the plate.
p.s. Great review in the Weekend Australian in the Travel section on 'The Mussel Boys'.
Not taking anything away from it but it did seem to have alowered sense of expectation when visiting that area, like it was VERY surprised.
I would like to get to the point wher NO-ONE was surprised with what we could do.
We have EVERYTHING here, things that others covet. Lets do the produce justice & stand proud at our achievements!
Thanks boys. Kzee - thanks for the tip-off. Sir G - yes - I'd like to see Graeme being human and grownup enough to return to Lenna, saying openly to us "I'd like to give them another go, so here I am again". Gobbler - I didn't see the Weekend Aussie but will try & get hold of a copy. Sounds interesting. We DO really want people to succeed, and we DO really want a great experience ourselves. Long live small business. So let's all pop down and try Luke's new restaurant at Grandvewe when he opens up next month.
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