How much do you usually tip? I've been watching the latest poll on tipping in Portland with some interest. I am an 18% tipper, or I should say, that is my baseline. I start with 18%, and the rate goes up or down depending on the service. I frequently tip higher, I rarely tip less.I'm surprised that so many of my readers tip in the higher levels. To be honest, I expected … [Read more...] about On Tips and Tipping
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.
More Matthew Stadler, “writer in residence for the Ripe culinary complex”
Matthew Stadler, "writer in residence for the Ripe culinary complex", gave an interview to the Portland Mercury. Here is a choice snippet, talking about the Back Room Discussions at Ripe: MERCURY: You leave room for improvisation.Yeah, and in fact, the sort of key element is a commitment to not know much ahead of time—to actually arrive there interested, and not with a … [Read more...] about More Matthew Stadler, “writer in residence for the Ripe culinary complex”
Is it Okay to Request Substitutions in Restaurants?
"During dinner last Friday this subject came up and as far as I know you are the only person who might be able to give me some insight on my situation.When out to eat I find that often there will be main entrees that I would really like to try, but perhaps the side dishes are something I don't like. So the "ginger pork loin" (hypothetical) looks fabulous, but I'm really not … [Read more...] about Is it Okay to Request Substitutions in Restaurants?
Esquire Writer Gets Free Meals – and Writes Good Reviews
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
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?