Bad Restaurant Review - WWYD?

[foodcritic]

NC for this on the off chance someone works out who we are and decides to do someone similar...

We have a small independent restaurant, been established over 10 years, lots of lovely regular customers, and always grateful for new customers. Many of these come due to our good reviews on various sites such as TripAdvisor, Google, etc. Also we do a fair bit (probably weekly) on local community Facebook pages which also attracts new people and reminds existing customers of what we are doing by way of Chef Specials etc.

Last week a Google review went on with 2 stars - and a comment along the lines of 'sad to see xxxxx on the menu'. (xxxx being a dish that some people find unacceptable, others specifically come to our restaurant to eat as it's difficult to find in supermarkets or other restaurants)

There is a name so I know exactly who has written this, and she's a local person who has never eaten at our restaurant. She has on occasion also used a crying emoji when she sees posts for certain dishes on Facebook that i have posted. (Suspect she's not a meat eater)

So - I have responded to the review with a similarly short comment, basically saying how disappointing someone has given a review based not on eating in the restaurant and experiencing our food/service, but based on a specific menu item.

Reviews are so important to small businesses, we can't afford massive advertising campaigns, and although this one hasn't really put a dent in our overall rating it's so frustrating. But I'm now wondering if I shouldn't have responded as I've made us look as petty as her. What would you have done?

I’m glad you remembered me, that’s nice and yes I agree the world would thrive without humans and considering I’m a human, I guess I count too.

yep

You say “a lot”

not all

Fingers crossed your child has only vegen partners. Oh I can just imagine the cats bum expression on @Coffeeandcake15 face upon discovering potential future DIL/SIL enjoys a steak!! 😬

Or… shudder… veal!!!

Thank you! I guess me being called a nutter and compared to a benefit scrounger and waste of space, is ok.

I’ll serve them vegan steak, they won’t tell the difference 😉 I guess with age I already have a slight cats bum impression, so hopefully it’s not too noticeable.

At least if you use the word vegan, at least spell it right 😉

And used emotive language and stated others were abusive and uncaring.

Projection, I believe.

I suspect you don’t care about animals at all. If you did, you’d be trying to persuade people to your point of view, rather than berating and insulting them, which even you must know is going to alienate almost everyone.

What you actually enjoy is the feeling of superiority veganism gives you, alongside its opportunities to abuse people on the internet.

do you work @Coffeeandcake15

ever go on work events that involve dining?

any of your close friends / family with whom you sometimes dine with enjoy ordering meat dishes?

genuinely curious whether you raise this with them?

Yes you’re right, I don’t care about animals at all. I am very superior, Queen Anna they call me, didn’t you know 😉

And now it’s all shits and giggles @Coffeeandcake15

I have never more craved meat, in particular veal, than I do right now! 😂

No I don’t work, I’m a vegan, scroungers aren’t they?

No I never dine with family/friends, I wouldn’t dare to dine with a meat eater, they’re not my people.

Yes I raise it with them all the time. It’s the topic of conversation.

If you haven’t realised, I’m being sarcastic.

And again - you’ve answered my question without intending to.

I don’t play childish games, I’m too old for that shit! It’s been too long since I’ve been in a playground.

Well in that case, I hope it’s made your day a little brighter.

So the horrific food poisoning you referred to having had (yes I’ve had a sneaky AS of your name) that went on for ages…. Where do you think you got this from given your diet?

ate your parents meat eaters? @Coffeeandcake15 did you grow up vegan?

I am genuinely curious!

You want me to answer your (genuinely curious) questions whilst previously mocking me. Na, you’re ok, try another vegan, there’s plenty about I’m sure willing to answer your questions.

Where did I mock?

I'm finding your posts interesting. I don't know why anyone who doesn't care about what you think would ask.

@Cleoforever

Mate, come on. You're not being genuine in asking those questions and it's a bit cringe to say you are as it's very obvious you've made your mind up about that poster so are just trying to wind them up a bit now.

@foodcritic I hope you get lots more good reviews to wipe out the odd ball one.

Hospitality is a rollercoaster 💐💐💐

Are you not intrigued how someone reaches the stage that they think a lot of humans should be wiped out and the rape of animals by farmers?

How that person engages with colleagues and loved ones if they are meat eaters and enjoy veal?

because I am