CJ's gripey review punishes Molly Malone. 1 1/2 stars

[Robin Garr]

It's apparently either all love or all hate for the CJ reviewer, who lands on Molly Malone's today with a 1 1/2 star review written in a tone that strikes me as exceptionally mean, even bitter. What do you all think? Separate from your thoughts on Molly's actual quality, Is the tone of this review ... unusual ... or am I just over-thinking this?

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/en ... /78372176/

That has got to be the bitchiest professional review I have ever read. They should have tried the fish n chips which are excellent and the salads. It read more like a disgruntled yelp reviewer.!!

After reading most of her previous reviews I had basically quit reading them because they all appeared to be the same. She piled praise on almost everything including the decorations, chefs and food. Her readings were consistently 3 1/2 or 4 stars and very predictable. Because of your comments on this one I had to read it to see how things have changed and boy have they! I certainly agree with your thoughts about it being mean bitter almost to the point of being vindictive. If her description of the food are true which I really believe they might be she certainly shouldn't have made it sound great but she should have described it and told what was wrong with it and have been done with it. Of course she did agree that Molly Malone's is basically a bar that also serves food. Because of that you really don't expect a innovative and well executed menu, you expect the menu consisting of basics that are reasonably priced and edible.

It appears that once again she shows her lack of understanding of the restaurant review process.

Could be an overreaction to the "she only gives 3 1/2 or 4 stars" comments????

I'm tempted to stop by there in sympathy........

Sorry. Couldn't get past the fact that someone ordered fried green tomatoes in January and actually thought someone would be in the back breading them.
And yeah, sounded as if the staff didn't recognize her upon entry to the pub. How dare they!

[Robin Garr]

Would it be wrong to wonder out loud if this reviewer has a tendency - perhaps unconscious - to lavish praise on the chefs with whom she's worked as a PR helper or with "Secrets of Louisville Chefs," but not so much with chefs that she doesn't know?

Would it be wrong to wonder out loud if this reviewer has a tendency - perhaps unconscious - to lavish praise on the chefs with whom she's worked as a PR helper or with "Secrets of Louisville Chefs," but not so much with chefs that she doesn't know?

Robin ... paint not thy critic with unclean motives! (yeah, you could really be right)

It was harsh. And just mean-spirited. I'm not saying she has to like everything, but Carla hit it - expecting hand breaded fried green tomatoes in January. In a bar. Not so much.

[Robin Garr]

Robin ... paint not thy critic with unclean motives! (yeah, you could really be right)

TP, when they first handed her the reviewer's fork, I wondered about her history as a PR type who'd worked with many chefs, and sadly envisioned both Binghams spinning in their graves. But it's been what ... six months or more, now? I haven't done a spreadsheet or anything, but there does seem to be a pattern of public displays of affection for her friends versus an occasional unleashing of bile against "nobody" chefs. I'd be really happy to see a careful analysis, but I'm not volunteering to compile it.

Not nice. Yet, I know a group that goes there for trivia night and always makes it a point to eat beforehand to avoid the MM fare. Save a few posts above, I've never heard anything good about their food.

DAYUM!

Someone must have given her a dose of alum afore she went to writing about Molly Malone's.

I rarely read her since it has been apparent from the very first that she is no more a restaurant critic than I am a nuclear physicist. Surely, Neil Budde can find someone else to do that job, not better, just do it.

Richard

I didn't read the review, but a 1.5 star rating would not be out of line with my experiences there. Especially when you factor in price.

I had their fish and chips a couple months ago. The fish was fine. Not the best I've had, but not bad. Fries were not great.

Over the years we've been there (I think) 3 times...twice on our own and a third time at the insistence of some friends...I don't have instant recall as to exactly -what- all we've tried on the menu but the fact that we haven't been back in -years- kinda sums up my feelings about the place. I -do- recall the restrooms being -filthy- with a strong smell of urine...so yea, one and a half stars sounds about right.

Call me contrary, but I've always thought Molly's was underrated. We've eaten there a dozen times and pretty much always had a good meal. We ate there last week for the first time in a year after I came down with a craving for their fish n chips and were left to wonder why it took so long to get back. My wife did comment on the green-ness of the potato leek soup, though.