Best of Louisville awards

Not to pick on The Village Anchor, but I just saw the Reader's Choice Awards and I'm having a really having a hard time with this:
Village Anchor Celebrates It's Third "Best Restaurant In Louisville" Award in Three Years!
This one by the readers of Leo Magazine with their 2012 Readers' Choice Awards--taking first, second or third place in Nine of the 50 categories, Including Best Restaurant In The City!

With 30,000 votes cast, The Village Anchor won more than any other restaurant in the history of the Awards! Thanks to Everyone for Making The Village Anchor The Best Dining Experience In The City! Here's how it played out:

Best Restaurant in Louisville, First Place!
Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining in Louisville: First Place!
Best Chef In Louisville: Second Place (Geoffrey Heyde)
Best Wine List in Louisville: Second Place
Best Place for a Romantic Dinner in Louisville: Second Place, (The Anchor Lanai)
Best French Fries in Louisville: Second Place (Sweet Potato Fries with Marshmallow Dipping Cream)
Best Hot Brown in Louisville: Third Place (The Pulled Chicken Hotter Brown)
Best Breakfast/Brunch in Louisville: Third Place (The Sunday Village Brunch and Red Velvet Pancakes With Cream Cheese Filling)
Best Dessert in Louisville: Third Place (Myra's Banana Pudding)

I know how this works- the awards are a popularity contest and Kevin does a FANTASTIC job in marketing the Village Anchor and getting all their patrons/fans to vote for them- I really respect him for that. But honestly, I could see winning in one or two or even three categories, but not 9- not in this food town.

So the conversation:
Will you trust these awards going forward? ( I'm not sure I will) And is it valuable/ important for some of our other local restaurants to put more focus on publicizing and marketing themselves to increase voting?

Deb

I've only eaten there once but it wasn't the "best" anything. It was ok, but not the best.

I've only eaten there once but it wasn't the "best" anything. It was ok, but not the best.

.....Sounds like your experience was better than ours. We've dined there on three different occasions and the only "list" of ours that they are on is "will not return". The problems we've experienced have ran the gambit; poor to (in one instance) NO service, arrogant hostess, cold food, wrong food, wrong check amount, yada-yada-yada.

To bring this on topic- I'm really not trying to debate the merits of The Village Anchor. My question is about the validity of the awards if one restaurant can sweep 9 categories by effectively marketing themselves to their patrons ( ie,. Vote for me!). And if that's the way the game is played for these awards now, should other restaurants enhance their efforts to do the same?
These awards may not be this forum's premier source for recommendations, but you know a lot of people and definitely visitors will view the Reader's Choice awards as a very strong recommendation on a restaurant.
Deb

I'm actually betting there's a lot more to it than just convincing their loyal patrons (I know they have some of these) to stuff the ballot box! To do well on that many categories they have to have some kind of a "BOT" program they run to load ballots! That can be seen by the total number of votes they received. Their quite a small restaurant and don't have a broad appeal, rather because of their location they have the same people return multiple times per week. In addition many of their patrons are not the type that are going to sit around and stuff ballots.

Seeing something like this just proves what a sham these "Best of Louisville" awards really are! Especially when a mediocre restaurant like this does so well.

Is anyone really surprised by this? Does no one remember The Blind Pig's amazing success last year? I don't put too much stock in these awards anymore.

I agree with Gary. Whether it's food or bands or boutiques, the popularity contest nature of these rankings minimizes my interest in trusting them.

Each year I gently remind our employees that we do not stuff or encourage the stuffing of ballot boxes for awards like these. Also, we do not get out the vote; in fact, my personal belief is that doing so is poor taste. I usually devote a single blog post to the commencement of LEO's vote, and let it go at that.

We showed up in four LEO categories this year, two for each location. When that happens, and you know you didn't cheapen yourself begging or stuffing, then it actually feels good.

Each year I gently remind our employees that we do not stuff or encourage the stuffing of ballot boxes for awards like these. Also, we do not get out the vote; in fact, my personal belief is that doing so is poor taste. I usually devote a single blog post to the commencement of LEO's vote, and let it go at that.

We showed up in four LEO categories this year, two for each location. When that happens, and you know you didn't cheapen yourself begging or stuffing, then it actually feels good.

Roger,
Classy approach!
Does that mean you also will not put up massive banners proclaiming yourself " The Best Restaurant" and leave them up all year to convince people that you are? ...
Deb

Roger,
Classy approach!
Does that mean you also will not put up massive banners proclaiming yourself " The Best Restaurant" and leave them up all year to convince people that you are? ...
Deb

Busted!

Actually this year, for the first time ever, I paid for a small indoor banner for Bank Street Brewhouse only, touting BSB's best restaurant in Southern Indiana win and Blood Mary second place. I wanted to recognize and show some love for the kitchen staff, who work wonders with the inadequate space we've given them. We'll leave it up a bit longer, then stow it.

Roger,

I hope you realize I couldn't resist a jab at The Village Anchor. Their proclaiming of their wins is a bit excessive for my tastes ( I drive by them all the time and you can read the banners from a block or two away ).

Your folks deserve some serious recognition- so nice of you to do that for your staff.
Deb

You needn't apologise for this Roger. BSB richly deserves this recognition in my opinion. Publicly recognizing the accomplishments of your staff instills pride, reflects your appreciation, and is one of the best ways to reward them for their hard work - but you already know this.

Leave it up all year! Cheers

Each year I gently remind our employees that we do not stuff or encourage the stuffing of ballot boxes for awards like these. Also, we do not get out the vote; in fact, my personal belief is that doing so is poor taste. I usually devote a single blog post to the commencement of LEO's vote, and let it go at that.

We showed up in four LEO categories this year, two for each location. When that happens, and you know you didn't cheapen yourself begging or stuffing, then it actually feels good.

I have exactly the same attitude on the subject. Do the good thing and it matters. You spend more time pushing these kind of initiatives than you do on what really does matter.

The guest experience.

Nothing against Village Anchor or Leo- I'm solidly in both camps, by the way. I simply don't give much creedence to 'Best Of' Awards. They're fun and all and I've won my fair share- but I think it's important to keep oneself grounded. A well-deserved award not based upon superior gamesmanship does exactly that.

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain..."

"Best of" reeks. The least of which is based on the poor taste of anyone that does not belong to this board!

Seriously? There's only one way to go. That's eat, eat, eat, drink,drink,drink then eat and drink some more and make up your own mind.

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain..."

"Best of" reeks. The least of which is based on the poor taste of anyone that does not belong to this board!

Wow. Could you be more misinformed?

There is no man behind the curtain, nor do I think that the group here has any pull on those awards.

Robin freelances his reviews for both the LEO and the Tribune. Operates independently of both establishments. He also wouldn't jeopardize his professional integrity being 'that guy.'

He could care less- he has a job to do and he will do it, regardless of what awards may come- or not.