Eat Arkansas

Jessica

Weird how I just popped on the Eat AR website as I just wondering- I mean really wondering- what Scott McGhee's beef with the food blog was. It was driving me crazy. To be honest, I found it a little harsh. From someone who is so revered in Little Rock, I will go out on a limb and say that the letter seemed quite touchy. And furthermore, what, might I inquire, are these "serious consequences" that come with food writing? There are consequences for having an opinion and stating it?

I'm all for the 1st amendment and like you said, the "blogosphere" isn't fading away any time soon. Was I the only one to detect a sense of hypocrisy in his letter? I mean, really- who is he to make such sweeping presumptions about you (if that was the case?) or any one else who cares to take a stab at the food world?

What I truly enjoy about the Eat AR blog, whether fellow bloggers agree with me or not (usually not), is that it is a FREE and open PUBLIC forum. The discourse itself is significant. At least interest is being generated. At least people are talking.

And finally, "Hard working local restaurant owners and their families can be put out of business with a bad review..." They can? Maybe in select cases? That's such a narrow perspective on the business of critique, I hardly understand it. What then, does it mean when hundreds of people who review movies for a living rip something to shreds? Does that put the movie industry out of business?

And by the way, great response. Everyone deserves to give perspective and get a little perspective, I think. How else do people grow?

I, myself, am one of Scott's biggest fans. I like his style, I like his pro-environment practices, I like his fresh food and healthy options- I think Little Rock would be better off with more Scott McGhees and less of the same-old, same-old, chain-fried-wings-catfish-recycled fare that dominates the food scene around here.

Just writing to say bravo for speaking your mind and staying loyal to yourself. Nice work.

Although Scott didn't say so in so many words, I think he was alluding to how important word-of-mouth is to a local restaurant. And when you are "the voice" in a very public place, you have a much broader impact. You're not yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theatre, but you're not yelling it in your own house alone, either.
Chains can absorb bad business for a while, locals can't. And there will be enough people who DO go to the fried-wings-catfish places that a few negative posts won't bother them.
Look at Imagine. They got a couple of BAD posts here. And while they may not have suited everyone's palate, they were trying to be innovative, they sourced local ingredients and had a wine list that wasn't the same as every other place in town. All in all, not a bad way to go. I'm not suggesting that was the one thing that closed their doors, but I do wonder, how many people who could afford to eat there on a semi-regular basis, DIDN'T even try them because of bad reviews here?

I'm not saying that reviewers shouldn't be honest. I'd say that's even more important on the web. It's also important to think before you post, but I suppose if everyone did that, the blogosphere would be a shadow of its current self.

Word of mouth is very important to restaurants. Today with blogs, and instant perfect communication reproduction, the mistake of a restaurant is magnified ten fold. I don't know why Scott has decided to complain about new voices writing restaurant reviews and it dies not come off well to me.

If only the experienced restaurant writers are supposed to be writing, what is the point? The fact that we are even having this conversation, as JenJens noted, is amazing! If I don't like the food someplace, I will say so. If I like it, I will sing its praises. The restaurant industry is notoriously difficult. The statistic that is usually bandied about is that 50% of all restaurants fail in the first year and 50% of those that are left fail in the second. Restaurants that deserve to remain open that close are not a new phenomenon.

I am not going to discuss what I do or do not like about Scott's work and his influence. It does not matter to this topic. Restaurants are made so strangers can walk in and enjoy the food; it is a kind of art. I am just happy that we have people who want to write about food and who want to blog about food. I want to hear new voices reviewing restaurants. Max has reviewed some restaurants highly that I cannot stand and I do not understand how he gives them a free pass.

I am getting disjointed so I will stop my rambling at this point.

Why is Scott McGhee so upset.Does he honestly think Arkansans can't decide what they think about a restaurant on their own? A food blogger is someone who tells you of their own experience, it's their opinion. If a restaurant goes out of business I highly doubt it is because someone wrote a blog about them. In fact i think a blog can only help, they open you up for new ideas in this small town were the Olive Garden, and TGI Fridays are hot spots on Saturday nights. Thank you bloggers for giving me good ideas on where to dine, and what to try. Sorry, but you do not control my mind, body, soul, stomach, or taste buds. I'll be deciding what I like to eat. Lighten up McGhee!!

Why is Scott McGhee so upset.Does he honestly think Arkansans can't decide what they think about a restaurant on their own? A food blogger is someone who tells you of their own experience, it's their opinion. If a restaurant goes out of business I highly doubt it is because someone wrote a blog about them. In fact i think a blog can only help, they open you up for new ideas in this small town were the Olive Garden, and TGI Fridays are hot spots on Saturday nights. Thank you bloggers for giving me good ideas on where to dine, and what to try. Sorry, but you do not control my mind, body, soul, stomach, or taste buds. I'll be deciding what I like to eat. Lighten up McGhee!!

On Imagine: while I understand that a restaurant's livelihood and reputation is, in some ways, contingent on word of mouth and therefore a good reputation, I think the idea that Imagine had to close its doors due to bad posts on the Eat AR blog is pretty far-fetched. Imagine was unlike anything LR had ever seen or tasted. It was a crying shame to see that restaurant go. A lot of us discussed this at length when they closed a while back, but don't you think (most) people want to find things out for themselves?

Good, CONSISTENT restaurants normally warrant consistently good reviews. And on that note, the AR Times has done nothing but practically wipe Scott's ass for him since he stepped on to the scene. Therefore, his complaint is especially hard to swallow. I would expect most chefs to have a pretty thick skin. Really. It's basically a prerequisite for the business.

I avoid old-news, unhealthy places that don't agree with my food preferences or my stomach. But I reserve the right (as does every other restauarant-goer on the face of the planet) to like it or dislike it for personal reasons. And as Joel pointed out, Max has reviewed places where I have personally been snubbed and frankly, the food wasn't all that special. But then again, I'm not Max Brantley. So I guess my opinions are unprofessional, uneducated and undeserving of attention.

Who is Scott to deem a select group of people as worthy food writers? Does he have a degree in writing or journalism? Does Max have a degree in the culinary arts?

No, so who gives a damn? It's all subjective, anyway. Or at least it's SUPPOSED to be.

And how will Food Dude weigh in on all of this? I'm dying to see what The Dude has to say about this, if anything at all...

Doh. We are all bad spellers. M-C-G-E-H-E-E, according to his letter. Whoops.

WOW.here they are casting pearls before us swine! This kind of smacks of "You're not good enough to know good food so eat what you're served and be happy we're even letting your unrefined ass in the door". Sorry.but can I change providers? ;)

You know.I've been eating all my life. I feel like I'm pretty well qualified to make a judgment on what I think is good and what's not. With that said.Cooking can be an art and as an artist you are going to have your critics. Good and Bad. Most artist that put their work out there are gonna get slammed from time to time. I think the good chef's/artist would rather hear what they can do to improve than continually getting praise for their work. Yes..praise is nice and all.but good, honest feedback is so much more valuable in the long run. It takes a special person, I guess, that will listen to those negatives and try and make something positive out of them. I don't think you have to travel the world over or have visited all the local hot spots to be entitled to write about food. I may not have eaten blood sausages in Germany or stir fried bedbugs in China but I know when my steak is overcooked and I know when I'm being severed something that I could easily make at home far better. Let's not dress up Stouffers lasagna with the house pasta sauce and call it homemade. It's a bit of an insult really.
Frankly I can't afford to eat out at the finest restaurants day in and day out. As a result.If I want good, healthy food I've had to learn to cook it myself. So when I do go out I hope to be impressed when I pay for a nice meal. Otherwise.what's the point? So as far as I'm concerned I want the "Consumer Reports" version of the local restaurants written by food hobbyist like myself. Anyho.It's lunch time and I've rambled enough..see you at Arby's! ;)

I will admit that a comment on a blog upset me. The comment was, "There will finally be a real latte in Little Rock". For those that know me, they know that authentic Italian style coffee is second only to my friends and family in life! That comment was changed in the blog the day I sent my letter.

Truthfully, I over reacted. I justified my letter to the editor with my frustrations with the food writing in this town for the last 20 years, (I do have those frustrations, but that's a different story for a different day). I was mostly just hurt over the comment. I feel like a complete heel. I am sorry mostly to Jessica who is a wonderful person and great writer. The irony is that I really enjoy her blog! I am sorry Jessica and to everyone who had to witness my stupidity!

Sincerely,

Scott McGehee

EAT ARKANSAS:
Scott,
What makes this even more ironic is that I could not respect and admire you more as a chef and restaurateur. Having worked for you, I can honestly say I have learned a tremendous amount about the talent and heart that it takes to make an establishment like yours. It is your talent and heart that will ensure that your work continues to endure and be admired by everyone who comes across it. Boulevard Bread makes excellent coffees. I certainly should have chosen different wording for my excitement about possibly finding a new place in town that knows how to make a great latte. I was simply voicing my frustrations (which I'm sure you and many others share) that there are so many establishments that not only don't know how to make lattes, but also they couldn't care less about learning how to make a good one. Of course, you and your businesses are part of the handful of exceptions. I am sure that there are a few more out there and I hope to try them all. I should have been clearer that the exceptions do exist and I will take this experience as a hard learned lesson in really thinking deeply about something before I type.
Jessica

I've been a coffee geek for a long time. I roast my coffee, drool over Cups of Excellence, and have even fought my ex-partner over Reg Barber tamper and the burr grinder. I share Jessica's frustrations with area establishments with regards to coffee. That said, I do not go to Boulevard for coffee. I have yet to encounter anyone at Boulevard who understands doppio ristretto, let alone make one. Many of his employees do not foam milk very well. I also do not care for drip coffee, so I don't go there. I usually keep my mouth shut when I hear praises over Boulevard's coffee, but Scott's comment that Italian drinks are close to his heart finally made me say something. I know Italian drinks are close to his heart, but in Italy caffeelatte is prepared with heated milk, not foamed milk. What we call latte in this country, what Scott serves at Boulevard, are not very Italian. I just wanted to clarify that.

As for good coffee in Little Rock, try River City Coffee on Kavanaugh or Java Roasting Company. Better yet, roast your own beans and make drinks at home. It's not as hard as you think, and for the most part, you get better results than at area establishments.

Scott, taking a public stand and apologizing/explaining is worth kudos.

I think everybody here has written or said something while our blood was hot that we regretted later.

You do note that you have some issues with how restaurants are reviewed in this town. Why don't we discuss them? If you want, you could write out your problems and have Max post it here in the blog and we can all take an honest run up on the issues.

Interesting thread. Kudos to everyone for having a grown-up conversation via the blog about the power of words. To me, that's what it comes down to.

Keep up the great blogging, cooking, reviewing, etc.

From what I saw in this edition of the paper, I wasn't struck with the thought that AT staffers were inexperienced. I was more concerned for items posted here in Eat Arkansas.

We all have our own philosophies when it comes to writing our reviews. My personal practice comprises a series of actions or non-actions. I rarely if ever make known that I am checking out a restaurant I might review (I also shoot pictures of food as a hobby). I never promise a review that appears in Tie Dye Travels. And if I go and am not impressed by the service or the product, I simply don't write about it. There are far too many Mom-and-Pop operations around here that could crumble under the weight of a single review.

There's also the TripAdvisor phenomenom. I've talked with several people in the travel and entertainment industry over the past few months about this resource. Yes, it is helpful for travelers who want to make sure they get the best bang for their buck. But again -- a really bad review can sink a small bed and breakfast or a community theater production. Unlike the blogs linked to here in Eat Arkansas, most TripAdvisor reviews are posted anonymoously, and owners and managers of establishments have to jump through considerable hoops to fix damage done.

Mr. McGehee, you do have a good point. It's one that I've discussed with people before. However, for the most part I don't believe that Eat Arkansas or any affiliated blogs therewith are falling into this trap. And I'm certain that your eloquent letter will assist in insuring that further reviews hold up to a higher standard.

When I post things here, I usually do what I have been cooking at home. It is easier that way. When I go out, however, I am going to tell my friends about it. If it is good, I say so and sing it from the rafters. If it is not, I'll be just as honest. If I get bad food and bad service, why should I be quiet about it? I don't wish it upon anybody else.

I think we have touched on some interesting items that could really be a great topic of conversation, especially amongst people who read and post on a food blog! Democratizing food reviews, the local food culture, trends and flavor preferences, generational shifts, and economics all factor into what we are dancing around.

"And if I go and am not impressed by the service or the product, I simply don't write about it. "

That's your choice. I think everyone- diners, chefs and restaurant owners alike- are owed both good and bad critique. As Food Dude said, there is something to learn from criticism and something to be said for turning a negative into a positive.

Poor reviews aren't anything to cry and pitch a fit about. Toughen up. Grown some skin. Work harder. Do better. Be more determined. Prove them wrong!

Restaurants are public venues. So are places like Vino's, Rev Room, Juanita's, etc. People patronize these places by paying to see something they hope will prove to be worth their TIME and MONEY. And if it sucks, they're definitely entitled to say so.

Same goes for restaurants. You can't please everyone and you're a damn fool (and terribly unrealistic) if you think you'll accomplish that someday.

I don't get this whole semi-pandering to businesses idea. Seems to me the AR Times takes it pretty easy on some places I've been to that are nothing short of piss poor, just for the sake of being diplomatic. It's a food review, for the love of god, not the U.N!!!

A restaurant review should tell it like it is. Period. I wouldn't recommend a lot of places in this town to any of my friends and I'll be damn sure to tell them about it. But I don't expect my opinion to suffice. People will discover food (or anything else for that matter) for themselves if they want to. If they don't make the effort, then that's their own problem. Or laziness. Or apathy.

I'd love to hear about some of the places you guys would recommend! I want to make sure I haven't missed something that should be on my radar.