Yes, I’d love to have a go at the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide. I had a go at the Melbourne guide for what I see as a cabal between restaurateurs and the media. Why is it that Stephen Downes is banned by some leading Melbourne establishments, while other reviewers are welcomed with opened arms? Because they give them high scores?
Finally, the Guide has put the knife squarely between Neil Perry’s shoulder blades by taking away one chef’s hat from Rockpool. All credit to Melbourne reviewer John Lethlean for recognising the problems back in December 2003. This is what he said in The Age:
“So here we are at Rockpool, about 110 minutes after arriving, and someone I presume to be the manager has just checked the name on the Amex card. He dances over…and asks if everything has been good, a question artfully dodged. It’s the most attention we’ve been paid all night.”
This is how Perry justified himself to the SMH:
“I just feel it’s completely unjustified,” he said. “It’s a real kick in the guts for the people who work with me and work really hard, but that’s life. If this restaurant is [rated] 16 out of 20 I’ll throw myself under a bus.”
You can check out the full story here.
Sorry Neil, here comes the bus. I’ve been a frequent visitor at your restaurants and at the Rockpool, not to put to fine a point on it, I was treated like a piece of shit.
Great food but arrogant service. Before the bus hits maybe Mr Perry should see how it should be done and pay a visit to Tetsuya’s.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see more blood sport from our restaurant critics. Shame about the libel laws.
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