Do We Really Need Four-Star Restaurants?
When food critic Michael Bauer awarded four stars in the San Francisco Chronicle to the eponymous Michael Mina, many readers took offense at the very notion of eating in, enjoying, and writing about such a restaurant in these troubled times.
Bauer aptly explained why he feels it's important to write about four-star restaurants now. I am not a fan of over-the-top decadent dining, but from Bauer's review I would hardly call Michael Mina an obscenely extravagant restaurant. In fact, Bauer's review made me want to jump on a plane and eat at Michael Mina tonight.
Related: Does the World Need More Fancy-Pants French Restaurants?
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3 Comments:
RE: "many readers took offense at the very notion of eating in, enjoying, and writing about such a restaurant in these troubled times."
And in what times would they consider it to have been appropriate?
srhcb at 8:14PM on 03/13/08
This is interesting timing, I just posted a comment about his lobster potpie the other day.
I'm the kind of person who needs a 4star restaurant every now and then. Just like I need a cashmere sweater or wool slacks from Theory every now and then; they are indulgences I allow myself because they make me happy.
My husband and I rank our meal at Mina's as one of our top ten meals ever. His food is great. We've had more expensive meals that we've enjoyed far less. We are not wealthy, but for us experiencing world class cuisine in exquisite settings with great service is our big indulgence. If we are truly in a recession, people like my husband and I won't be having dinners in expensive restaurants as often. I don't see the point in pretending high-end restuarants don't exist or failing to give a talented chef some well-deserved recognition. What's next? Looting Saks?...hmm, not a bad idea...teehee
wookie at 3:30AM on 03/14/08
He writes about 4 star restaurants because most people already know the quality of food at McDonalds. Why would someone possibly have a problem with a restaurant review of a 4 star review? Seems to me if these "offended" people are upset because someone is eating in a 4 star restaurant, perhaps they need to check out the "Help Wanted " section of the paper instead of the food reviews.
Pavlov at 12:39PM on 03/14/08