David Haskell on Online Food Crit
To supplement the foodblog this and foodblog that discussion going on recently, Eater L.A. grabs David Haskell, owner of Bin 8945, to share his thoughts on another food-crit site, Chowhound:
I banned Chowhound. It’s not that I don’t think the writers supply some decent informative reviews. It’s that most of the reviews never critique the food or actual service. I always thought my profession was to supply the best food and service for the cost. If you want to review that, then please mention the food and why you didn’t like it. Or the service. Did we not put down silver for every course? But “It sucks” is not a review. People have come to my restaurant with cards that have their 'handle' name. OK, that is funny. But it reminds me of the guy with the 'producer' card who hits on all the girls.
In the end, Haskell says he appreciates—and reacts to—bloggers who write informative, well-reasoned reviews.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
2 Comments:
It's slightly off topic, but I'll take the opportunity to lavish some love on David Haskell and Bin 8945. The restaurant offers such inventive and succulent offerings that I can't help but salivate when I walk past it's cozy sidewalk patio. Major kudos to David! Now I'm craving some duck fat french fries!
Acme Instant Food at 1:18PM on 06/20/07
I'm curious though, what he means when he says "banned." Did he ban it from the computers in the restaurant's front office? Ban employees from reading it? Ban anyone who posts on Chowhound from being able to get a reservation? If you're a business with an online component, you can refuse to post a link, perhaps. But how does a restaurant ban a site?
Kathleen Purvis at 3:32PM on 06/20/07