Reviews, good or bad?

I really hesitated with my previous post about Zipang Sushi.

On one hand, I really wanted to share it with everyone. It was that good, it deserves to be raved about.

On the other hand, I wanted to keep it my little secret. Even though it’s already got a lot of good reviews on Dinehere, I felt I was just going to add to the restaurant becoming even more busy.

I experienced this firsthand myself, when I was not being able to get a seat at Burgoo.

It’s kind of a difficult situation that we as customers and food bloggers are sometimes put in.

Spread the word about a new favorite place, and you risk the restaurant becoming too busy, popular and mainstream. The restaurant could also suffer in quality, since they’ll be overwhelmed.

But spread the word, and they profit, which will hopefully translate into even better quality service and dishes.

Sorry this isn’t really well written, just wanted to quickly type this up before I go out to play some dodgeball.

What are your thoughts?

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Posted on March 23, 2009 by . This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.
  • http://www.shermansfoodadventures.com Sherman

    I actually think it’s a good thing that we expose these little gems to the mainstream because you really want them to stay in business. Thus, you’re giving them free publicity (assuming it’s a positive review). As for a little gem losing it’s identity, it does happen with some places. But that goes with the territory.

  • http://www.justinyang.ca/blog Justin

    I recall someone telling me the stats: one in ten restaurants go out of business within five years of starting up. If you don’t make them “mainstream,” then they aren’t going to last.

  • http://imonlyhereforthefood.com KimHo

    Thy answer is within thyself, grasshopper!

    Just as Sherman mentioned, in a way, the more you write, the more restaurants you will visit, the more exposure they will get. The question is whether you will dare to write without any bias… I won’t be too preocuppied about their business. When it comes to restaurant, given the high saturation, it is survival of the fittest. If they can’t accomodate additional business without a hit in quality, then you might want to question how good/bad they are.

  • http://www.eatingclubvancouver.com _ts from [eatingclub]vancouver

    Digressing here: dodgeball is the best! ;D

  • Patricia

    Hmm, you bring up a good point here I think. But then again, if it’s meant to last, it should be able to grow into a stronger business due to the increase in customers. If not, then it wouldn’t last to begin with. Perhaps they’ll be smart about it and open another location? *gasp*

  • Jacqueline

    Although I see your point, I do agree with the above comments. “Gems” that are hidden may one day go out of business and everybody loses. Truth is, I am always reading local food blogs and that’s pretty much how I choose where to go to eat. Without reviews, I would be lost!

    Let’s just hope that restaurants that go mainstream stay true and keep up their standards that earned them their name in the first place.

    Last note… I love your blog and your pictures. Thanks for sharing!

  • http://604foodtography.wordpress.com Kevin

    Sherman, Justin, Kim, Patricia

    I can’t reply to all of you at once, but thanks for the comments and your thoughts. Everyone seems to agree with each other. :)

  • http://604foodtography.wordpress.com Kevin

    I heard that you played. What team are you on? You probably already know who I am and what team I play on now…my names watermarked on all the pictures here!

  • http://604foodtography.wordpress.com Kevin

    Hi Jacqueline,

    I too wised up and started to read local food blogs and Dinehere to decide where to eat and what to eat.

    Thanks for the compliment and subbing. :)

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