Posted by Erin Zimmer, May 15, 2008 at 2:45 PM
As reported today, CBS is dropping $1.8 billion in cash on CNET. CNET in turn owns popular food site Chowhound. Remember the old days of Chowhound, when it was simply, basically, black text on a white background and the pages took forever to load? Amazing to see it go from a bedroom operation under founder Jim Leff to a property of a major entertainment network. Informed chowhounders are already anticipating changes, like their valiant foodie leader Leff appearing on CBS sitcoms and Letterman.
Updated: Jim Leff opines on the purchase: “What we don’t need, however, is a broader slice of diners participating. A real flood of unsavvy diners could dilute the knowledge level.”
Posted by Adam Kuban, June 20, 2007 at 12:00 PM
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.
