Don't forget to vote!
I got this e-mail from Stuart Merenbloom in response to my review of Paolo's last Sunday:
I was highly amused with the fact that you ordered a pizza with BB-Q sauce on it then complained about it…yeah I know you’re supposed to try new stuff to report on but come on, BB-Q sauce on a pizza is like putting mayo on a hot corned beef sandwich. ...
(Chiaki Kawajiri/Sun Photographer)
I tried to defend myself when I wrote back by saying it was the pizza du jour, but I know what he means.
Should I try something the restaurant seems to be proud of when I'm pretty sure it's a bad idea to begin with? (Of course, if I had never started trying new things I thought I wouldn't like, I'd still be living off peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on Wonder Bread with the crusts cut off.)
What do you think? Please vote below. Remember, you don't have to sign your name or give us your e-mail address if you don't want to. Here are the choices:
a) Yes
b) No
c) I like mayo on hot corned beef
Comments
You definitely should try something the restaurant is proud of, or its signature dish. Finding out if a dish lives up to the hype is what makes review-reading fun.
Posted by: Romaina | May 17, 2007 7:43 AM
a. YES. Aren't scathing critiques every once in a while the point? You're a critic, after all.
Posted by: Kate | May 17, 2007 8:09 AM
How many great food parings where considered strange at one point. Years ago, how many Marylanders would have said meat and chocolate that sounds great, but now you see mole in all kinds of places.
And while I wouldn't order corned beef with mayo, i wouldn't think twice about ordering corned beef with a mayo based cole slaw. If Attman's can sell corned beef with slaw, then I don't think It is all that strange a concept.
BTW, the Stu Special at Attman's ( corned beef, pastrami and cole slaw) is their best sandwich.
Posted by: Robert | May 17, 2007 8:37 AM
Hey, wait a minute! I have had BBQ sauce on pizza that was good!!! I think there was grilled chicken and onions too...
Posted by: Mather | May 17, 2007 8:48 AM
But if you don't try things that nay seem weird, you can miss out on fabulous flavor combinations. Peanut butter and jelly may be a classic now, but the first person to try it was probably laughed at.
I've had bbq chicken pizza at various places and it was always very good.
And only mustard should touch corned beef, at any temperature.
Posted by: Kathy | May 17, 2007 9:44 AM
YES
But I'm more troubled by dowdy appearance of the place - floors needed a good sweeping, seat cushions in a disarray. Attention to detail throughout is important - if they can't eevn quickly sweep/vacuum where the customers are, you can imagine what the kitchen looks like! Or the reach-in or the dry food storage!
Posted by: EdG | May 17, 2007 12:37 PM
I think the obligation should be to sample a variety of items-standards, novel ideas, and house specialities. I also believe that two visits to a site are mandatory. An off night at a four star place does not call for 4 stars. Believe me, like others I have eaten in raved reviewed places in Bmore that I would never visit again.
Posted by: middlervrmuncher | May 17, 2007 11:05 PM
It was the lack of cleanliness that bothered me. After reading that description, I was not interested in hearing about the food.
Posted by: Regina | May 18, 2007 4:23 AM
Yes- that way you can always tell people to stay away from it! Or who knows it may turn to to be good
Posted by: Jessica | May 18, 2007 7:02 AM