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DEL.ICIO.USShould I Dine in Disguise, Part II
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Interesting responses to an earlier posting today about whether or not I should dine in disguise. I am getting recognized, but does that give unfair advantage to the restaurants who know? My issue is I don’t want to be more absorbed with a disguise than I am the experience at the restaurant. My policy, FYI, is to mention that I felt I was recognized in the review. There are many cities’ dining critics — including Atlanta — who have been doing this for a living for many, many years. There’s no way we won’t eventually be recognized. But you can’t make a great chef in a night. Service, I feel, is the real issue. And if there are photos of me posted on the back rooms of kitchens, for goodness sake I hope they show my good side! Thanks for everyone’s input — including those who feel dining critics should be eliminated.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Dining
Comments
By Daylight Come
July 24, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
Most definitely….simple and tacky or even as a bum (?), someone who would never be a critic.
By Mikey
July 24, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
I’ve got a number of unused dog collars if you would like to borrow one…
By meridith ford
July 24, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Gosh guys, don’t be so NICE. Obviously, I don’t agree — I think critics of every kind are vital to a community. For one thing, we are held to higher standard by the institutions that employ us. But really, let’s keep things nice on the site, okay? You can say what you want about postings, but calling me a dog is underhanded, don’t you think?
By Fake Nose and Glasses
July 24, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
Yes, you should. Ruth Reichl did when she reviewed for the NY Times and the service and overall experience was markedly different, depending on whether she was posing as an elderly lady, a woman on a date, or a woman dining with a female friend. This is why restaurants pay big bucks to hire “mystery shoppers.” Your photo is probably in the kitchen of the places you visit, and the restaurant employee who spots you probably gets a cash reward.
By Reader
July 24, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Be nice? Why? And what do you expect when this useless newspaper turns everything into a “blog”? How about a grown-up approach to news, food criticism, op-eds, etc? Write your own copy and make it meaningful, intelligent, and worth a person’s time, for heaven’s sake. And please, please stop with ‘the ATL.’ This tiresome attempt at hipness on the part of your newspaper is just embarrassing. Honestly.
By Darin
July 24, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
I’ve mentioned before that these AJC blogs should be moderated and that the more sophomoric and hateful posts should be deleted for the sake of focusing the discussion - otherwise the comment area turns into the conversational equivalent of monkeys throwing poo at each other. I think a difference can be established between censorship and good editing practice.
I enjoy reading restaurant reviews by professional critics and would hate to have to soley rely on non-professional writers posting on a message board for opinions about restaurants and the overall restaurant scene in the city. Professional writers can be thoughtful enough to notice trends that casual diners may not see.
By Fake Nose and Glasses
July 24, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
Agreed, Darin. Unfortunately, any idiot with a computer and a bad attitude can make inane and annoying comments.
I’d also add the “trends” that you point to might not be visible if the restaurant knows that the reviewer is in the house. That’s why I love being a mystery shopper.
By Paul
July 24, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
I enjoy reading your columns. I think you provide a valuable service. I respect your opinion. Love the disguise idea, as I posted earlier. People who are mean in their posts are idiots. Chin up!
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