Does a restaurant critic need to be anonymous to be effective?

by Marisa McClellan, Posted Sep 18th 2007 @ 4:47PM

There's been all sorts of debate these days over whether restaurant critics should even attempt to remain anonymous. It started with the outing of Philadelphia Inquirer critic Craig LaBan, but then continued with Danyelle Freeman, the blogger-turned-critic for the New York Daily News (her picture is all over the internet). Does the visual identity of a restaurant critic need to be concealed them to be able to do their job effectively? Many are weighing in on the debate these days, what do you, oh wise Slashfood readers, think?

Filed Under: Newspapers, On the Blogs
Tags: anonymity, anonymous, critics, restaurants, reviews

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-18-2007 @5:22PM Joshua said... If I'm not mistaken, the main purpose of remaining anonymous was to get the same service that everyone else gets. That is good enough reason to stay anonymous.
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9-18-2007 @5:28PM Christine said... Anonymity provides the reviewer with the same level of customers service that his/her reader will get. If the owner recognizes them and provides them a different level of service, the review isn't accurate and there is no point in publishing it.
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9-18-2007 @5:41PM mike said... I think service is a moot point - your service will vary from excellent to terrible with the server you get, even if you are not a food critic. It's a gamble.

Much more important is the quality of the food, which should stay consistent no matter which cook is making it. That's the real challenge.
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9-18-2007 @6:22PM Dani said... I'm gonna have to agree...staying anonymous ensures that you don't get any "special treatment". If the server knows that you are a critic, chances are they are going to be sure to give you great service.
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9-18-2007 @6:31PM totoro said... Mimi Sheraton wrote a great essay about this issue..when asked "what could a restaurant really do in one evening if they spotted a food critic", she basically said "Everything".
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9-18-2007 @6:51PM jason said... i have had many calls from Local Publications looking to gain free Dinner - everything from bread to wine for free just because they were going to write about my restaurant - with no garuntee that the review would end up positive
why should i as a Buisness man give away free stuff for not apperant gain

stay annonomous and get reimburised by the Publisher if your too cheap to buy a dinner
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9-18-2007 @7:36PM Mause said... Anonymous critiques are greatly useful for everyday experiences since they will give you an idea of what the typical exerience is.

Let me just weigh in on the other side for a moment. Sometimes you also want to know how well an establishment does when they go all out and have their attentions keenly focused for special events, or just special treatments in general. When you're looking to see how well they can hit the high notes, it's good to brush up on some of the more well known or outed food critics.
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9-18-2007 @8:06PM Angela said... Yes, because if everyone knew the critic was around,
the entire restaurant experience would be a show for
his/her benefit. Ever hear of preferential treatment?
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9-18-2007 @9:02PM dksbook said... Hell, yes.
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9-19-2007 @10:10AM jsmylie said... Of course, yes. If a critic does want to see the "all out" style service that Mause is referring to, he or she can go back AFTER he/she has been served like a normal person.
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9-19-2007 @10:55AM Adriane said... Mike, I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Like a restaurant's food, their service should also be spot on.
Managing a cohesive team that consistantly delivers the best might be one of the hardest aspects of running a restaurant/kitchen-- thus if you see a well-oiled team of workers paired with really great food, then you've got something really special.

It doesn't matter if you give me the greatest food in the world...if my waiter/waitress is rude or just bad at their job it ruins the whole experience.
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9-19-2007 @8:58PM A Viewer said... Christine said, "Anonymity provides the reviewer with the same level of customers service that his/her reader will get. If the owner recognizes them and provides them a different level of service, the review isn't accurate and there is no point in publishing it."

That is absolutely right. If the critic is not anonymous, then they are bound to receive special treatment and then the review will not reflect the truth of the matter. Getting treated like any other customer is one of the key parts of writing successful restaurant reviews.

In other words, yes!
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