Dishing Out a Negative Review
A classic conundrum we’ve all faced – the awkwardness of deciding whether to post a less-than-glowing review of a restaurant. To me it feels like ending a friendship; you don’t want to be the one to break hearts, but truth has to show its face. In my attempt to be diplomatic, I’ve inadvertently stumbled into what I’ve affectionately dubbed the Limbo Effect—a dazzling display where before I write a review I give a restaurant another chance where I lower the bar, only to witness restaurants limbo their way to becoming undisputed champions in the art of disappointment.
Now, why is it such a huge task for me to unleash an honest review? Maybe it’s my overactive empathy, or perhaps it’s the recognition that running a restaurant is no easy feat. Part of it, I confess, stems from feeling like a lone voice in a city with more than 350,000 souls. But, I persistently remind myself that just maybe, my words could be the catalyst for a restaurant’s self-improvement journey, something like a culinary intervention.
Do I always follow through, you ask? Well, not exactly. This can be seen in the majority of positive reviews I have of places. This probably stems from the fact that complaining at a restaurant is about as natural to me as tightrope walking without a net. You could serve me a platter of dairy-laden chaos, and my lactose-intolerant self would likely applaud your creativity. Having worked as both a bartender and server, I’ve tasted the bitterness of a challenging day and the sting of a less-than-thrilled customer. However, the Victoria Taste Buds expedition is beginning to transform me into a beacon of honesty, even when it feels like I’m in a toxic relationship with these restaurants.
Take, for instance, a beloved restaurant/cocktail lounge that I’ve been on more rollercoaster rides with than I’d care to admit. When asked about its romantic potential or suitability for post-work libations, should I regale them with the story of ordering a cocktail and expressing my foodie intentions, only to have the bartender pull off the impressive feat of serving both my drink and bill simultaneously, leaving me feeling like I wasn’t welcome to stay? Do I reminisce about the initial visit with stellar service and a love affair with their mac and cheese? Or do I spill the beans about the lacklustre experience during the highly anticipated Dine Around Menu rendezvous with my foodie friends? The plot thickens, especially when you factor in my undeniable tendency to grant them yet another chance, secretly hoping they’ll shimmy their way above the very low bar I’ve set.
I guess what I am trying to say is, that navigating the delicate terrain of restaurant reviews can indeed be likened to a high-wire act. Even though my reluctance to negatively review a restaurant stems from various sources we all need to grow a set and do it once and a while. It might ultimately offer a restaurant an opportunity for growth and improvement.
