Should a restaurant reviewer state when he is provided free meals by the restaurant he is reviewing? Nancy Rommelmann seems to have been three weeks ahead when she wrote about how a restaurant like Olea gets named "One of the best new restaurants in the US". From Johnathan Nicolas column in the Oregonian today: "...This week the Los Angeles Times weighed in: "When Portland, … [Read more...] about Esquire Writer Gets Free Meals – and Writes Good Reviews
Portland Food and Restaurant News and Discussion
This is an archive of Portland metro area restaurant and food news, political debate, diatribes, discussion threads etc. If we aren't quite sure where a story belongs, you'll find it here.
Reviewing the Restaurant Reviewer – What Do Ethics Matter?
A forward: I hope Nancy doesn't mind me jumping in on her story. Shortly after this story was written, Robb Walsh, restaurant reviewer of the Houston Press pulled a double review at a restaurant at which he is recognized and the results are rather interesting:"As for the experiment, it's clear I was treated much better than Josh. The point isn't to punish Gravitas for … [Read more...] about Reviewing the Restaurant Reviewer – What Do Ethics Matter?
Phil Stanford vs. Jim Dixon, The Salt Wars!
For those of you in the mood to argue today (there seem to be quite a few), we have Phil Stanford weighing in on the Jim Dixon "not salty enough" Castagna Restaurant controversy. You may remember, Jim reviewed Castagna and claimed everything was under-salted. The owners were so upset, they delivered a 50 pound bag of salt to the Willamette Week offices. Phil ties the review … [Read more...] about Phil Stanford vs. Jim Dixon, The Salt Wars!
Saucebox Restaurant Chef to “Spend more time with family.”
Beleaguered Saucebox Restaurant Chef Adam Kekahuna is out. From Johnathan Nicholas column in the Oregonian today (you didn't think I'd miss this did you?), comes news that Chris Israel is now the permanent chef at Saucebox Restaurant, taking place of chef Adam Kekahuna who is leaving to "spend more time with his family".I have to admit, I'm feeling a bit sad. Adam was … [Read more...] about Saucebox Restaurant Chef to “Spend more time with family.”
Restaurant ads made to look like reviews for restaurants – that buy ad-space
A SF Examiner restaurant reporter’s job is to bring in ads. On the surface, this may not seem like too bad an idea. The problem is the Examiner was trading good reviews for the ads: From ‘Grade the News’ George Habit’s food columns are presented as news, but they’re really ad solicitations, reports John McManus. Habit tells him: “Yes, I use the column as an initiative to get … [Read more...] about Restaurant ads made to look like reviews for restaurants – that buy ad-space