Tag: critic

Yep it is true

Restaurant Reviews

Yep, guilty. I read em. Sometimes I even contribute. That is not how I choose where to eat out. That is based on others that are in the trade and the Health Inspection scores.

A bad score doesn’t mean I wont eat there. I give traditional greasy spoons a little pass. I know what I am getting into so it is okay. I generally pass on reviews by some of the local and national professional food critics. There is a reason. If they don’t know how to cook themselves…Just Sayin’. There is one local critic that has given rave reviews about particular dishes in restaurants where I have worked. I just feel like, if you only knew.

Case in point: A Cajun place that has fantastic roux. I know how they make it and personally? I don’t consider equal parts of pan and grill and flour a roux. They don’t even cook the freaking mixture. Just straight up butter flavor oil and AP. When I worked there, I tried to show the prep cook how to make a roux. I was informed that I was WRONG! Eventually I was able to show how to make a proper roux in the oven. Worked well for a time and then I left for another restaurant that had more of a culinary challenge for me. They reverted back to the old mix. Sigh. I flipping lived in LA for many years. You are not allowed to move out of the state without mastering roux, gumbo, etouffee etc. Just doesn’t happen.

I am certain the not allowed to leave rule applies to other states as well. Can’t leave Nebraska without knowing the proper way to cook a perfect mid-rare steak or any corn related side dish.

Locally owned and operated are my go to places. I like to support the community. Sure I venture out to Z-Tejas from time to time but feel justified as they did start out local and they have good food. One newly opened joint near my home (I wish them luck) serves comfort food and a few outside the box items. His reviews are a good mix. The biggest complaint he is getting is lack of seasoning and no salt or pepper on the tables. I live in a bedroom community of Austin, TX and you better be putting salt and pepper on the table. Especially if the customers are complaining that the food is lacking salt. Taste you food dude! I give him a pass on a particular reviewer that requested salt and was provided a small rami of Kosher. He was upset that it was Kosher as “it doesn’t dissolve”. Um, yeah okay. Nothing perks up a dish like tincture of iodine. Want some well done steak to go with that ketchup big guy? Everyone is allowed to have an opinion though.

Especially me.

Leftovers

Critics

Lately, some Chef’s and Restaurant Owners have been tweeting to Critics, Blogger, etc about the negative reviews. I don’t know why some are getting so defensive. If a majority of the Critics, bloggers etc. are saying the same thing, perhaps there should be a change to what is happening.

Case in point. There is a restaurant that has been in business for 6 years and has been steadily been going down. The two chief complaints are the owner and the inconsistency of the product (portion sizes shrinking, using obviously pre-packaged and advertising it as fresh made) as well as it often being over cooked. This is supposed to be a upscale casual type place.

First, the owner. What a piece of work! She regularly chides customers when they point out errors. The owner has been known to tell the customer that the name on the door isn’t the customers name and hence makes the decisions of what is right. Great way to get repeat business. There is a very high staff turnover as she has been seen and heard by other staff and customers screaming and using the F-bomb on a regular basis.

Second, it is beyond me why any menu would state products were made in house when well, they are not. I suppose technically they are if you count ordering canned/pre-packaged food and then warming it up on site as house made.

Personally, if my name is on the door and menu, I want to be honest. My name is my reputation and I (have been asked to in the past) to “fudge” or make short cuts. Nope. Not gonna do it.

Stepping off my soap box.