Posted by Ed Levine, September 8, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Randall Stross compared Yelp and Zagat in the New York Times on Sunday. While he correctly noted that Yelp now covers more restaurants than Zagat, and uses this as a launching pad to compare and contrast the two companies, he leaves out the most relevant points. Most notably, he completely whiffs on recent business goings-on in the world of user-generated restaurant reviews.
My first question is what do serious eaters think about both Zagat and Yelp?
And while you ponder that, here's what Stross should have pointed out in his comparison.
Continue reading »
Posted by Erin Zimmer, June 26, 2008 at 10:30 AM
How does an over one-century-old restaurant rating publication translate to the digital era? It lets diners not on Michelin's payroll do most of the work.
Taking a Yelp-ian approach to user-generated content, the recently-revamped ViaMichelin site offers a forum for cuisine discussion, real-time traffic updates, interactive maps, Microsoft-powered satellite images, digital trip planners and mobile phone accessibility, all free.
Back in 1900, the original Michelin guide was also free in an effort to promote tourism; only in 1920 did the red books start costing you. ViaMichelin again demonstrates the value of free information, but so far, the site is pretty ugly and slim on content, even if three-million users are registered, as German weekly magazine Spiegel reports. This isn't au revoir to Michelin's red-covered books. In fact, Michelin thinks print revenue will increase with the added interactive web feature.
Related
New Michelin Books in Tokyo, Not Well Received
Michelin, Yelp, Zagat: Who Can We Believe?
Ed's Search For the Perfect Food Review Rating System
Posted by Ed Levine, February 24, 2008 at 1:00 PM
In a further attempt at globalizing its brand, the Michelin Guide has, as we reported last March, now been introduced in Japan. As was the case when Michelin introduced its American guides in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, the ride has not been all that smooth.
Lots of interesting stuff in this New York Times story:
- Many Japanese food critics, pundits, and serious eaters feel that the Michelin folks do not have the expertise and experience to properly judge Japanese food, although, like Michelin's American forays, it has enlisted the help of locals. I have always been skeptical about Michelin's American efforts.
Continue reading »
Posted by Lia Bulaong, March 16, 2007 at 1:52 PM
This November, Michelin will be publishing its premiere Tokyo Guide, marking the first time France's renowned bible of gastronomy has set its gaze outside of Europe and North America. As you might well imagine, local purists are agog at the idea of outsiders judging their food, but "to quell concern that Michelin's ratings would impose French tastes on centuries-old Japanese customs, Michelin dispatched both Japanese and European food critics to Tokyo's eateries, company spokeswoman Yoko Ikejima said. "Our staff is fully trained to base their evaluations on Michelin's universal standards, as well as on a full understanding of local traditions," Ikejima said."
Posted by Lia Bulaong, February 7, 2007 at 11:19 AM
If you've got $25,000 lying around that you don't know what to do with and you've got December 2nd free, buy yourself a seat at Thailand's Epicurean Masters of the World grand finale dinner—six chefs des cuisines with three Michelin Stars apiece will be flown in from France and Italy to contribute one or two signature dishes to the menu, each paired with one of the world's most exquisite wines.
The chefs: Antoine Westermann of Buerehisel (Alsace, France), Chef Jean Michel Lorain of La Cote Saint Jacques (Joigny, France), Chef Marc Meneau of L’Esperance (Vezelay, France), Chef Luisa Valazza of Al Sorriso (Piedmont, Italy) Chef Heinz Beck of La Pergola (Rome, Italy) and Chef Annie Feolde of Enoteca Pinchiorri (Florence, Italy).
I'd probably have more fun and spend much less money riding trains across Europe to eat a full meal at each of their individual restaurants, but that's just me!
(The BBC lists the dishes and wines to be served on the night.)
[via The Morning News]
Posted by Nathalie Jordi, January 18, 2007 at 3:41 PM
Adrian Moore peeks at French papers for the first look at the French Michelin Guide results for 2007.
Here's the Le Figaro article in French.
Promoted: Anne-Sophie Pic's Maison Pic (making her the first three-starred woman), Philippe Barbot and Christophe Rohat's l'Astrance, Frédéric Anton's Le Pré Catelan, Yannick Alléno's Le Meurice.
Demoted: Marc Veyrat's recently sold La Ferme de Mon Père, Le Cinq, Philippe Legendre's George V, Le Taillevent, Bueherisel, L'Esperance (which just declared bankruptcy).
