A couple of weeks ago, new Dallas Morning News restaurant critic Bill Addison made his debut, announcing at the same time that the paper would no longer give half stars in its reviews. Only stars corresponding to an integer from now on!
Anyway, with a number of reviews now completed under the new system, I believe I have figured out the secret code behind the system. Here is how it works:
- No restaurant receives 1 star or 5 stars. Nothing could possibly be that good or that bad in the eyes (mouths?) of the DMN.
- A really bad restaurant will receive 2 stars.
- A really good restaurant (e.g., Aurora, Bob's, York Street) will receive 4 stars.
- All other restaurants will receive 3 stars, such as the four restaurants reviewed today (Cafe Madrid, Indya Fusion, Naan, Garden Cafe). Having eating at all these except Indya Fusion, I can tell you that the quality at these places is nowhere near comparable. Yet, under the give-everything-3 stars approach, they are all equal.
I prefer the Star-Telegram's no star ratings approach. At least it has a logical consistency that won't drive diners and restaurants batty. Word on the street is that Avner Samuel is furious that Aurora only received four stars - one more star than the Garden Cafe - and lord know, when Avner is mad, you never know what might happen.
Comments
The Law Reviewers Verified
We at The Law Reviewers use a time-honored and tested formula in handing out our (heavily trademarked) five-gavel ratings: it's 1/3 food, 1/3 service, 1/3 atmosphere and 3/8 elven magic! Seriously though, we disagree with Mr. Addision's revision to the rating scale for two reasons: 1. We think there are always places that fall in between, as you have rightly pointed out, so a half or even quarter star/gavel rating allows for more precise rating, and more importantly, 2. We also disagree with his assertion (in his introductory article) that certain restaurants have a ceiling because they don't have grand aspiriations/pretentions, i.e. just because York Street doesn't aspire to be the Mansion, doesn't mean it can't be a five star/gavel place (in fact, we think it is five gavels worthy http://blog.lawreviewers.com/2006/11/...).
1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Blair Lovern Staff
I give this post 5 stars, and I give the www_LawReviewers_com comment 5 stars, I don't care what the DMN does. You all just take what's there and turn it into your own. You should be proud of yourselves, you belong there, I mean - just look at you. I'm getting so emotional over this.
1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
DC Anonymous
I work with the tools at my disposal.
I, too, have battled with the eternal struggle as to whether I should use my powers for good or for awesome.
1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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