Owner responses

[Pineedles]

I have noticed recently that poor reviews prompt owner or management response here on the forum. We have influence, let's not abuse it. I am not saying this is a bad thing, but does one awful dinner deserve a public broadcast? People, bring your complaints to the owner, head waiter, or whomever is in charge while you are still in the restaurant. You'll find that they will correct the situation promptly. If they don't, let us hear about it. Also please, be completely truthful and don't swear at the staff or management. I think we all know the truth will come out about "what really happened".

[Old Hubbard Rd]

Can't wait to see the comments this tread will produce

[jetskier]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

I have noticed recently that poor reviews prompt owner or management response here on the forum. We have influence, let's not abuse it. I am not saying this is a bad thing, but does one awful dinner deserve a public broadcast? People, bring your complaints to the owner, head waiter, or whomever is in charge while you are still in the restaurant. You'll find that they will correct the situation promptly. If they don't, let us hear about it. Also please, be completely truthful and don't swear at the staff or management. I think we all know the truth will come out about "what really happened".

My personal opinion is that this forum is intended to exchange dining experiences both good and bad. I have not seen an overwhelming negative bias nor a significant number of unsubstantiated positions.

Most good owners will actually acknowledge issues and address them as they are mentioned in the forum. From what I have seen, that actually produces good will for their business. So, not all outcomes are negative.

The incident that you are alluding to has been played out to excess in the forum and I think that most of us are tired of hearing it brought up again.

So, my feeling is bring on the reviews good, bad or indifferent. They are all data points.

Jetskier

[hazmatmedic]

There is a difference between constructive criticism and down right nasty and inflammatory. Reviews are wonderful, but I agree, some of the posts are unnecessarily cruel and damaging. Tact can be very useful and many should consider learning how to implement it, as well as, their choice of words.

Lets take someone saying for example, "It was low grade dog food" as compared to, "I have had better across the lake."

To be overly critical of the food or service won't help anyone except for the person venting. Ulterior motives can be the culprit behind such posts and should be discouraged.

[Lakepilot]

I subscribe to several different review forums. Travel related, aviation related, campground related etc. I like to see a variety of different responses to get a picture of the facility. Certainly any response that talks of Dog Food I assume is from a very negative person, so I dismiss it. If the response is I've had better, I tend to believe it. But I want to see both responses - then I know who's to throw out.

Any review related web site that has few or no negative or really negative reviews I just assume is moderated to the point that none of the information is credible. Forums should be like real life. I'm pretty good at separating the wheat from the chaff.

[jeffk]

The occasionally bad review is true of almost all products, not only restaurants. Maybe one person truly got a lemon, maybe they just have unrealistic expectations. One bad review stands out as an anomaly if there are others to say their experience was good or great. Most people are going to give a restaurant or product a fair shake and a single bad review is not going to be a problem. It might make them pause while more opinion comes in but that usually happens quickly.

On the other hand, multiple reviewers with a similar thread of dissatisfaction is going to lead to questioning of a products quality, as it should.

[fatlazyless]

I have a bone to pick with the McDonald's dollar menu. Yesterdays Wall St Journal had an article that due to increased costs the dollar menu may soon become the $1.19 menu. Otherwise, rising costs may require the double cheeseburger, the dollar menu's mainstay, to become a double hamburger w/ cheese, which translates to just one piece of cheese, and that is not a double cheeseburger.

Meanwhile the newly available flavored mocha coffees at McDonald's are proposed to generate an extra $125,000/restaurant. Seeing as I don't like the designer coffee because it is too sweet. let's just leave the double cheeseburger alone, and cost one dollar! Don't mess with success!

Heath's Super Market in Center Harbor used to sell plenty individual pizza slices at 99cents. By raising it to $1.50, it totally killed their pizza slice biz, and now they don't even offer slices, anymore. .....boohoo...boohoo...boohoo!

[Pineedles]

Leave it to you to criticize the world's most successful restaurant.

To others, I am not advocating a cessation to negative reviews. I am saying try and work out your dissatification at the time you experience it. Don't be embarassed, you may find yourself the recipient of a discounted bill or a coupon to come back for free. We are becomming a nation of sheep where we judge our mood by what we read or see in the media, and I want to encourage people to speak up for their rights. Consumer rights are no less important than freedom of speech rights, but its up to you to speak up. OK?

[Lakepilot]

I just don't like to complain about the food or service when I'm in the restaurant. I ran a business before I retired and my feeling is if the food or service is off and management isn't already aware of this, management is bad. They should be aware of what's going on in their establishment. If they don't they are simply bad managers. I've eaten in many local restaurants where someone from management always comes over to ask how things are. Then I'll tactfully explain - not so good. I prefer to vote with my feet or my wallet if the food or service is poor. And yes I will may state that fact on a review web site. My review plus other positive or negative reviews will provide guidance for future patrons. I do admire those folks that are quick to call management over when something happens they don't like - maybe in hopes of a discount coupon or whatever, but I'm not one of those.

[Newbiesaukee]

I tend to agree with Lakepilot. Unless something is really out of kilter I prefer not to make a big deal with management. One reason is that too many complaints are directed to looking for a discount or free meal. I believe this forum is a guide for others rather than a discussion of terrible or wonderful meals. What is a restaurant like? Is it family or special occasion? What is the price range? What kind of food is served? In addition to this, certainly positive or negative comments about specific experiences are helpful. As was said before, we certainly can separate the valid from the silly. However, with the exception of personal attacks or unnecessarily inflammatory remarks, we should be able to give our opinions and others can judge how valuable they are.

[jetskier]

The issue with the "open" dialog in the restaurant is that neither the wait staff or the manager really want to discuss negatives in that environment. It is just not all that easy to have a discussion with diners all around and it tends to create a sense of embarrassment. Even this forum is likely a bit public for most.

I do find that the character of the ownership comes through pretty clear in their responses here. Some owners are contrite and promise to do better. I find that noble and will almost always give them another try. Others are defensive and sometimes insulting; I take my money elsewhere. Finally, some are a bit in the middle and only respond to a certain level of provocation...a conundrum indeed.

BTW I had a meal at a high end restaurant this past weekend. To date, their food has been wonderful, but this dish clearly was an experiment gone awry. I did mention this to the waitress and got the "so sorry". Well, I am not going to make a case of it on this forum and I will give them another try. If there is trending, then I will post.

Jetskier

[dpg]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

I have a bone to pick with the McDonald's dollar menu. Yesterdays Wall St Journal had an article that due to increased costs the dollar menu may soon become the $1.19 menu. Otherwise, rising costs may require the double cheeseburger, the dollar menu's mainstay, to become a double hamburger w/ cheese, which translates to just one piece of cheese, and that is not a double cheeseburger.

Meanwhile the newly available flavored mocha coffees at McDonald's are proposed to generate an extra $125,000/restaurant. Seeing as I don't like the designer coffee because it is too sweet. let's just leave the double cheeseburger alone, and cost one dollar! Don't mess with success!

Mcdonalds, Wal Mart, Mcdonalds, Wal Mart....Geez, give it a rest.