CJ hates the entrees at Dundee, gives 3 stars anyway

[Robin Garr]

The CJ's Dundee Gastropub review trashes entrees so harshly that 3 stars seems like a mercy rating.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/en ... /32396415/

[Robin Garr]

By the way, what did you guys think of this?

Save your complaints that I’m being overly harsh about our two entrées, and don’t bother emailing me to say we should have selected less demanding dishes. If they’re not meant to be ordered, they shouldn’t be on the menu.

Sounds like the critic does not like criticism.

If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen...

I absolutely love the pork and greens dish. I'll happily take it off her hands next time.

It "was under-endowed with taste?" Why does this give me visions of someone with a thesaurus furiously searching for another way to say lacking in flavor?

By the way, what did you guys think of this?

Save your complaints that I’m being overly harsh about our two entrées, and don’t bother emailing me to say we should have selected less demanding dishes. If they’re not meant to be ordered, they shouldn’t be on the menu.

Defensive, but... I agree. She was criticized in her Rumor's review for ordering the "wrong" items on the menu, so perhaps that is where that came from. I more or less agree and at a place like Dundee, which is not known for any particular specialty, anything should certainly be fair game.

I couldn't read the review -- will pick up the CJ weekend freebie later today. But, I have not been impressed with the food. It certainly isn't a three star place.

[Robin Garr]

I couldn't read the review

Does your browser have "incognito mode"?

My short review:

I've been there once.

Three is about right, not more or less from our multiple experiences. Last meal was last month. We shared feta balls, then I had the country chicken carbonera and my wife had the chicken & waffles. My wife liked hers a lot and my main complaint is mine was too good. Seriously. I'm pretty good about stopping when I'm full rather than finishing portions that are just insane, as any foreign visitor can probably attest. But I just couldn't stop as it was the food equivalent of crack. My middle was miserable at the end but my mouth was delirious. So my ding is make the portions smaller or make it less good so I can stop.

[Robin Garr]

Three is about right, not more or less from our multiple experiences.

Lonnie, personally I agree. I reviewed it last spring and gave an 84, which would map to a solid three stars. My point, though, was that the CJ's writer used surprisingly strong language to condemn both entrees, declared that she didn't want to hear any complaints about it, and then still gave 'em three stars. The stars didn't seem to match her opinion.

Oh, yeah, I've noticed that as well on more reviews than this one. I bet most people will agree that's been the case quite a few times.

Nancy Miller --yeah, that's her name for those of us who only know her as the "bad reviewer" at the C-J, did a nice piece on Louis le Français earlier this week. This guy deserves a shout out for the dedication he has shown to the art of cooking.




http://www.courier-journal.com/story/li ... /32321069/

Thanks for the reading tip.

Yes, if three stars means "very good" as indicated and the entrees (main courses, after all) were clearly bad, in her view, it doesn't add up. Is it because she's "okay" with the concept and "glad" things are on the menu even when she doesn't like them? Weird. More than anything, though, she writes a lot or words without saying anything of substance at all.

Anyway, based on the stars, I'd go for two, which is "fair" by their measure. I'd eat there in a pinch, or have some apps and beer if I wanted to watch a game on their great screens, but it isn't a destination for the food, imho.

[Robin Garr]

did a nice piece on Louis le Français earlier this week. This guy deserves a shout out for the dedication he has shown to the art of cooking.

True, James! We've enjoyed Louis le Français on several visits, and I am happy to see him get a little positive ink.

That said, I can't help visualize the Bingams, père et fils, are spinning rapidly in their graves at the idea of the newspaper's designated restaurant critic (1) doing face-to-face interviews with restaurateurs who she may later review; and (2) having previously "done PR" for local restaurants that she may review. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Gannett Corp. has completely abandoned the idea of anonymous/low profile reviewing, but it still makes me sad.