Comments on: Tonight, We Go West

By: Jonah

Jonah — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 22:36:27 +0000

The review is mostly done, should be up in a day or two.

By: Jumpcut

Jumpcut — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:33:52 +0000

So how was the dinner?

By: maxmillion

maxmillion — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 00:21:11 +0000

^ Zteve, I am with you and like the fact that Jonah is telling readers upfront about the sitch.

But I have to say, as a movie critic since 1991 who generally gains access via press screenings (for the most part — I do sometimes plunk down the dough for a ticket) I still review every film from a punter’s standpoint, as best as I can. (In fact, all the reviewers for the magazine I write for, Filmink Australia, rate all the movies on a price point from $0 to $14.50; in other words, how much was that movie worth the (Oz) price of a ticket?)
There has never been pressure to write a kind or soft review bc it was a free ticket.

Obviously the ideal sitch is the one you mentioned above, when you review a restaurant anonymously and your outlet foots the bill. When you read Irene’s reviews for the LA Times, it’s clear that she goes back two-to-three times, with a group of companions, before she evaluates a place. Whether or not she dines anonymously is debatable as some chefs have critics mugshots posted in their kitchen.

Anne — where can I read your West review?

By: Zteve

Zteve — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 23:56:34 +0000

Since we are all volunteers, it does not harm our standing to accept free meals for a resonable evaluation of a restaurant, however, if we did it as a paid position for a publication, ethics would demand never to accept a free meal to keep objective distance. In that respect, the reviewer would pay for the meal and their magazine would reimburse them for it. This way, the restaurant does not know who you are, and you are not tainted by a gesture of good will (like a movie reviewer). However…we are unpaid, so there is much breathing (and eating) room.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:41:31 +0000

I just went to West under the very same offer and tried to be as objective as possible. I just posted a review and am eager to hear your thoughts on the place. Hope you had fun.

By: maxmillion

maxmillion — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:50:13 +0000

^ KT I concur.
In this instance (I have already reviewed West for Brentwood magazine) I feel it is important to focus on the good and refrain from mentioning the bad. Readers can read between the lines.
As this is a freebie, it is not really an opportunity for a completely unbiased appraisal. You will be treated well and it is simply impossible to assess a restaurant as if you were a paying customer when you are not one. You can only report on your experience, albeit preferential.

Be warned — the valet parking is *timed* (why?); $4.50 for the first 2 hrs, thence $2.00 per 20 mins. It is a ridiculous and wholly unnecessary ripoff that I feel will dissuade visitors. This was a sour note that I did mention in my review.

Ask Josh (chef) for the handmade mushroom gnocci — it is sublime. We were also treated to a bottle of Robert Sinskey’s 2003 Pinot Noir that was fantastic. Save a glass for the chef as he will surely stop by your table!

Have a great time!

By: KT

KT — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 21:36:28 +0000

Yeah, you’re right that since they know you are coming and it’s not anonymous the service and perhaps even the food will me more carefully orchestrated than normal.

I think we all kind of know that though, so as long as you are disclosing all the relevant facts, which you did, then we know what lens to read the review through.

A review done from that angle is still useful to give readers a basic overview of what the restaurant is all about, and when there’s a new restaurant with not a lot of info to go on, even that is really helpful in deciding whether it’s even worth the trip.

By: Jonah

Jonah — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 20:14:13 +0000

Bree- You’re right, food tastes better and you are more willing to overlook small details that would bother you if you are paying. I think I can provide a cost to value evaluation too, I’ll give a summary of what the meal would have cost.

By: Bree

Bree — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 18:40:06 +0000

Sometimes meals seem to taste better when someone else is paying. I would keep track of what the meal would have cost, and write my review as if I paid the bill.

By: Jonah

Jonah — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 18:37:25 +0000

Jumpcut - I can say that if no one offers me a free meal again, I will be ok with it. It is a nice perk, of course, but I will do my best to give an honest evaluation.

Kristy - I agree, service comes in to play big time. The odd thing about tonight is that not only do they know that I am coming, but they know exactly what table I am sitting at. I expect that the service will be as good as it can, I will be surprised if they drop the ball there. I will certainly let everyone know though.

KT - I am going to do my best to be objective, but I have to believe that my judgement will be somewhat clouded, I will let the audience evaluate my review on its merit.

After my dinner, I also plan on emailing some questions to the owner and the chef. If anyone has specific questions for them, let me know.