To write a bad review online?

[gallgal]

I went to a new cafe in my town yesterday. Cafe has the word 'Gourmet' in its name so I knew I wouldn't be spending less than a fiver on lunch. Ordered a quiche and salad (£6.75) and a pot of tea (£2.50).

The quiche arrived - it was a mini one no bigger than the palm of my hand. The side salad was shredded iceberg lettuce with a tiny amount of rocket in it and half a cherry tomato. Gourmet?

I was tired and hungry and just ate my tiny lunch, drank my tea, paid and left.

When I got home I started thinking 'Hang on, you just paid £9 to each a canapé for lunch'. Also, 'gourmet'? Really?!

I like supporting small local businesses but I do feel a bit like I was sold a dud.

AIBU to review them honestly online? I paid £9 for that canapé!

Did you take a photo?

If it were me I’d just post a photo and leave people to make up their own minds. A picture says a thousands words & all that.

You’re allowed your own opinion

Only if you took a photo, with something else on the plate as a point of reference for the size of the quiche.

Of course you can leave an honest review. I don't understand the moral panic about leaving a review containing an honestly held opinion - readers can judge whether they are likely to be put off by things you do or don't like.

Palm sized doesn't sound that small to me, but obviously we all have different appetites. Its up to you really, so long as you describe it honestly then I really don't see the problem.

I didn't take a photo, I was hungry! More fool me, will just avoid the place.

Today me thinks yesterday me was a fool!

If I've had a really, really bad meal in a new place, bad enough to make me want to write an online review, I email the owners and give them some polite but honest feedback about my experience. It's tough times for new businesses, and I genuinely want the new cafes/restaurants in my town to do well. If I was running a business and there were service/menu/hygiene issues putting customers off, I'd want to know about it before Tripadvisor did.

But if they don't bother to reply or are stroppy, I kind of think all social media bets are off...

I tend to email the restaurant directly if I've had a bad experience.

I'd leave a review explaining the meaning of the word gourmet. And then describe what was on your plate.

Let people come to their own conclusions!

Palm sized doesn't sound that small to me

I was thinking the same.

^ maybe I have big hands though, not considered that before... 🤔

Palm sized for a quiche, that means most of it will have been crust so the filling won't have been very much. I dont see the problem leaving a review stating what you've said here op. It's your opinion.

I you're allowed to be dissatisfied especially with the salad - doesn't sound gourmet! But an individual quiche is a portion so that sounds about right though not a treat lunch.

I do this all the time without thinking twice. Why not?

Sounds like fair comment. And no way does iceberg lettuce qualify as 'gourmet.'
If they want good reviews, they need to up their game.

The only time I've left bad reviews is after I've contacted the place directly and they've been rude or unhelpful. Then it's open season.