Stickyfingers: couldn’t agree more. The print media reviewers are cheap targets given the professional constraints and standards — things that few bloggers worry a hell of a lot about.

We live in litigious times. Comments will be watered down as a consequence by all but the bravest publications who prefer controversy to no publicity at all. Blogs have opened the path of outspoken opinion, lessening the necessity for print media to opine pugnaciously.

Food Guides may be edited by people interstate who have not visited the venue recently but have pre-conceived ideas, which they affirm no matter what the scribe may have assessed on their visit.

John, if you’re reading this, since you appeared on ‘My restaurant Rules’ as you know, it is virtually impossible for you to experience a restaurant meal in the way that the average customer would. For many of us who have followed your recommendations, we now often experience something quite different, whether better or worse. It must be tough for you, perhaps a dip into Ruth Reichl’s bag of tricks is in order – a funny moustache and polyester safari suit could come in handy?

Coming from a snap-happy family of Bon Vivants who have always photographed their food on special occasions, I have never been stopped from snapping away at the procelain with a macro lens. I was however stopped in a Saigon KFC taking photos of Mr Stickyfingers as we retreated from the 40degree heat into their arctic aircon.

Last night I was at VDM for dinner and I noticed a flash go off (only a little one) and I thought nothing of it at the time (it’s mid-week, probably a night out happy snap – even waitstaff at the best restaurants don’t mind taking a pic of the table for you I’m sure). Then the better half said that the young lady at the table over ny shoulder was taking pictures of the food. She thought this was a little odd and asked if I thought it was apropriate or allowed. When I said that she was probably going to blog about her meal my wife thought that was quite strange (she has no time for internet frivolity).
I imagine she asked and would have been told that it was OK because somewhere like VDM that changes dishes every week or so isn’t going to get reviewed each month so the review that was last done by the Age is, as far as the food is concerned, out of date. Food blogs, while many are run/owned by amateur reviewers are going to provide access to more current point-in-time reviews.

Gregg

Last night I was at VDM for dinner and I noticed a flash go off (only a little one) and I thought nothing of it at the time (it’s mid-week, probably a night out happy snap – even waitstaff at the best restaurants don’t mind taking a pic of the table for you I’m sure). Then the better half said that the young lady at the table over ny shoulder was taking pictures of the food. She thought this was a little odd and asked if I thought it was apropriate or allowed. When I said that she was probably going to blog about her meal my wife thought that was quite strange (she has no time for internet frivolity).
I imagine she asked and would have been told that it was OK because somewhere like VDM that changes dishes every week or so is’t going to get reviewed each month so the review that was last done by the Age is, as far as the food is concerned, out of date. Food blogs, while many are run/owned by amateur reviewers are going to provide access to more current point-in-time reviews.

Gregg

From previous experience, The Age has been vary wary of anything that might be touchy (reviews of poor local products have been excised from one or two pieces I’ve submitted), but I get the feeling that John Lethlean is being permitted more latitude in recent years (or maybe it’s just coincidental that I’ve been noticing more negative reviews).