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Original poster

Bad Restaurant Review - WWYD?

602 replies

foodcritic · 18/04/2023 13:49

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?

OP posts:
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Original poster
foodcritic · 19/04/2023 16:13

Who said i didn't give a shit @DarrellRiversCriminalBehaviourOrder ? I asked a question and received an answer, I was asked a question and gave my answer. Just because I didn't go into huge amounts of detail with my answer doesn't mean I don't take on board what was said. However it is possible to have a different view to someone with out being rude. I wasn't rude to @Coffeeandcake15 and they were equally courteous to me. Not entirely sure why you've popped your head up again tbh

OP posts:
Original poster
foodcritic · 19/04/2023 16:17

And thanks @Orchidflower1 and @justasking111, I'm pretty confident that we are going to be ok with the odd dodgy review, we have weathered plenty of storms in the past 15 years and this one small blip certainly won't bring us down!

OP posts:
PriOn1 · 19/04/2023 16:22

Coffeeandcake15 · 19/04/2023 15:42

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 😉

Show quote history

Glad you are able to admit you don’t care about animals, Queen Anna.

Coffeeandcake15 · 19/04/2023 16:34

Cleoforever · 19/04/2023 16:09

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

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With regards to my comment on a completely different thread, yes the world would thrive without us, I mean the world is falling apart in terms of climate change.

It’s referred to as ‘rape’ by a lot of animal welfare groups because it’s the closest term to describe it. A female animal that has been restrained and had a forearm inserted into its anus and a rod inserted into it’s cervix. What else would you call it?

I engage with people as anyone else would, I’d say half of my friends and family are vegetarian/vegan, none eat veal as far as I know but I’d also have the same conversation with them if the topic came up, isn’t it normal to question someone’s thinking and morals? If they’re comfortable with their choices, then surely it’s not an issue.

DarrellRiversCriminalBehaviourOrder · 19/04/2023 16:38

foodcritic · 19/04/2023 16:13

Who said i didn't give a shit @DarrellRiversCriminalBehaviourOrder ? I asked a question and received an answer, I was asked a question and gave my answer. Just because I didn't go into huge amounts of detail with my answer doesn't mean I don't take on board what was said. However it is possible to have a different view to someone with out being rude. I wasn't rude to @Coffeeandcake15 and they were equally courteous to me. Not entirely sure why you've popped your head up again tbh

Because it's a public thread - you should know, you created it - and anyone can join in at any point if they wish to. If this confuses you, stop starting public discussions.

BenCoopersSupportWren · 19/04/2023 16:41

I may not make the same choices about food or in use of language to describe farming practices as Coffeeandcake15, but some of the posters pecking on and on at her are only making themselves look immature, petty and defensive.

Coffeeandcake15 · 19/04/2023 16:41

PriOn1 · 19/04/2023 16:22

Glad you are able to admit you don’t care about animals, Queen Anna.

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If it makes you feel better and all.

Coffeeandcake15 · 19/04/2023 16:55

This will probably be my last thread today, my work has suffered a little today as a result of spending too much time on MN (my choice off course!)
I will add, once you see the atrocities that are inflicted on animals, you do want people to be more aware of their choices, maybe even question their own morals and how they view animals and to educate people who may be unaware of what happens away from human eyes. Through educating myself, it’s made me question things and made me make more ethical choices and off course I realise, I’m also not a saint in everything I do. I also realise a lot of people know what happens but choose not to allow it to affect their choices and that’s entirely up to them.

Cleoforever · 19/04/2023 17:13

my work has suffered a little today as a result of spending too much time on MN

I can imagine!

PriOn1 · 19/04/2023 17:20

Coffeeandcake15 · 19/04/2023 16:34

With regards to my comment on a completely different thread, yes the world would thrive without us, I mean the world is falling apart in terms of climate change.

It’s referred to as ‘rape’ by a lot of animal welfare groups because it’s the closest term to describe it. A female animal that has been restrained and had a forearm inserted into its anus and a rod inserted into it’s cervix. What else would you call it?

I engage with people as anyone else would, I’d say half of my friends and family are vegetarian/vegan, none eat veal as far as I know but I’d also have the same conversation with them if the topic came up, isn’t it normal to question someone’s thinking and morals? If they’re comfortable with their choices, then surely it’s not an issue.

Show quote history

”It’s referred to as ‘rape’ by a lot of animal welfare groups”

Animal welfare extremists, you mean.

No responsible animal welfare group uses extremist language of that type.

fairycakes1234 · 19/04/2023 17:23

I wouldnt worry, obviously a lot of people are eating this dish and enjoying it, you were right to answer, i always like seeing replies to reviews, why cant they answer if they dont agree with the review.

Coffeeandcake15 · 19/04/2023 17:42

PriOn1 · 19/04/2023 17:20

”It’s referred to as ‘rape’ by a lot of animal welfare groups”

Animal welfare extremists, you mean.

No responsible animal welfare group uses extremist language of that type.

Show quote history

What would you refer to it as? Rape is a term used to describe something or someone that penetrates something without their consent, I understand animals can’t give consent but restraining them and not giving them the choice to be penetrated or not, isn’t that rape?
They are in many cases, standing up for what they believe in, much the same as any other person, I would say the things animals go through are quite extreme.

ginlovingqueen · 19/04/2023 17:44

Don't give it another thought . Your
Comment sounds fine

When reading reviews, i always read between the lines. The nutters are easy to spot

PriOn1 · 19/04/2023 17:48

Coffeeandcake15 · 19/04/2023 17:42

What would you refer to it as? Rape is a term used to describe something or someone that penetrates something without their consent, I understand animals can’t give consent but restraining them and not giving them the choice to be penetrated or not, isn’t that rape?
They are in many cases, standing up for what they believe in, much the same as any other person, I would say the things animals go through are quite extreme.

Show quote history

I’d call it what it is: insemination.

PriOn1 · 19/04/2023 17:51

For what it’s worth, you are welcome to object to the practice of insemination if you like. In the grand scheme of things, it is a long way from being the worst thing that is done to animals or people. Calling it rape is emotive language that will encourage people to see you as someone with extremist tendencies and undermines your message.

Bamboux · 19/04/2023 17:57

Coffeeandcake15 · 19/04/2023 17:42

What would you refer to it as? Rape is a term used to describe something or someone that penetrates something without their consent, I understand animals can’t give consent but restraining them and not giving them the choice to be penetrated or not, isn’t that rape?
They are in many cases, standing up for what they believe in, much the same as any other person, I would say the things animals go through are quite extreme.

Show quote history

You keep using that word and going into graphic detail, and clearly are not concerned about the impact it might have on the significant number of people reading this thread who will have had this experience.

You may see yourself as a very caring person. Your conduct on this thread indicates otherwise.

azlazee1 · 19/04/2023 18:02

I would leave the comment. If nothing else, it explains to readers how ridiculous the 2 star rating is.

usernamealreadytaken · 19/04/2023 18:04

foodcritic · 18/04/2023 15:23

Lots of differing opinions, all taken on board.

To be clear - not Foie Gras

And yes I'm absolutely sure she has not been in (yes I'm there every day all day, it's my business)

And we also don't have 100% positive reviews, we absolutely accept we won't be the perfect place for everyone. Less than 5 star reviews can also be really helpful in knowing what we can do better (like banning all 3 year old noisy kids Wink)

If she had been in and eaten something else but noticed veal on the menu (yes some of you were correct, but we do also do octopus!) and that had put her off - i could accept that influencing her experience and therefore her review. But she's put the review on having seen me put up our chef specials on Facebook (the review wasn't even on FB - she's specifically found an alternative place to put a review) So not even just a comment under my FB Post - other than the crying emoji.
I know on TA I can ask for it to be removed but not sure about this site, I'll have a look.

I don't think it's come across as defensive, more pointing out the fact that the review isn't based on first hand experience. But I agree it may be a bit petty (to be honest when I first saw it I was ready to go all guns blazing on Facebook and call her out publicly on there, thankfully I took a breath Blush)

And of course if people don't want to eat veal there are plenty of restaurants that don't serve it. We do, and we stand by it as a perfectly acceptable meat to eat. I appreciate not everyone feels that way and accept that viewpoint without prejudice.

I'd probably add (assuming it is) that it is higher welfare veal from the UK, not poorer welfare intensively reared veal from abroad.

Cleoforever · 19/04/2023 18:04

Coffeeandcake15 · 19/04/2023 17:42

What would you refer to it as? Rape is a term used to describe something or someone that penetrates something without their consent, I understand animals can’t give consent but restraining them and not giving them the choice to be penetrated or not, isn’t that rape?
They are in many cases, standing up for what they believe in, much the same as any other person, I would say the things animals go through are quite extreme.

Show quote history

Can you not grasp you are on a female dominated parenting forum and for those of us that have endured rape or the fallout from a loved one enduring rape - you tossing around the word as you have done on this thread is… thoughtless and cruel

Montbab · 19/04/2023 18:10

Genuinely confused why people think it's some kind of noble duty to 'alert others' what is on a restaurants menu. People can clearly see that for themselves online if they want to. A review is for your personal experience of a place or product and leaving a bad review for a restaurant based on your personal belief seems crappy to me. If you don't like what they serve just don't go there

riceuten · 19/04/2023 18:11

When I see a one or two star review on Tripadvisor and the restaurant has responded, I find that reassuring they are looking at what customers say and reacting appropriately. I can spot fake reviews a mile off, and people with an axe to grind - I recently went to an Italian restaurant (in Italy) that served rabbit and horse (I had neither) and quite a few reviews did nothing but object to that as a concept (I’ve seen the same with German and French restaurants serving veal and pate de fois gras). Leave it up.

ensayers · 19/04/2023 18:15

I can only imagine that xxxx is fois gras or veal.
I'm a meat eater but not that, so if I'm right then don't assume the complainer is a non meateater. There's a red line and those that encourage cruelty are on the other side of it to where I am.

Silvers11 · 19/04/2023 18:23

@foodcritic

I'd leave a reply if it were me - but if you can, maybe withdraw it and reword it a little less crossly?

I'm sorry you disapprove that we have veal on the menu, but I am confused as to why you have left a 2 * review when to my certain knowledge you have never actually eaten here?

I've seen similar on other reviews and it lets someone reading know that the 2* isn't justified?

Scrowy · 19/04/2023 18:25

ensayers · 19/04/2023 18:15

I can only imagine that xxxx is fois gras or veal.
I'm a meat eater but not that, so if I'm right then don't assume the complainer is a non meateater. There's a red line and those that encourage cruelty are on the other side of it to where I am.

It's veal

veal isn't crueler than e.g beef or lamb. There has been much discussion about this in the thread.

it's generally advised to actually read the thread before wading in five pages deep.

Strawberrydelight78 · 19/04/2023 18:26

Not all I see mother's with they're calves in field's of