Where the Locals Eat...not
Yesterday I got a copy of Where the Locals Eat: The 100 Best Restaurants in the Top 50 Cities, a glossy paperback that by the looks of it is trying to compete with the Zagat Survey. This book annoys me, and it's more than just November grumpiness.
I immediately turned to the Baltimore section, of course. It, like the other cities, has a list of 100 restaurants, 10 of which get mini-reviews and "best" labels, as in Best Seafood: Blue Sea Grill. Now nothing against the Blue Sea Grill (pictured), but what locals think this is Baltimore's best seafood restaurant?
And then there's the Oregon Grille...
(Algerina Perna/Sun Photographer)
...or Oregon Grill, as the book calls it. (Not only is the name wrong in the heading, but it's right in the body of the copy, which is kind of odd.) The Oregon Grille is there for Best Brunch, Black Olive is Best Greek, and the Brass Elephant is Best Contemporary! Notice I'm not telling you about the Best Crab Cake award. I'm not turning that rock over again.
Taking a look at Washington, I think our nation's capital deserves better than having one of its 10 best restaurants be the Inn at Little Washington, which, no matter how good it is, is in Washington, Va. Not only that, Five Guys is one of the 10 best.
I won't even get started on Los Angeles.
Comments
Not exactly a response to this topic, but related--I am making reservations for a dinner next week when our adult children will be in town, and I was surprised to note that all three of our top choices for them do not participate in Open Table (which is now the only way to go, as far as I'm concerned). Why would a restaurant NOT want to be part of Open Table?
I can think of only two reasons, and I may be wrong here. Perhaps a restaurateur would want to speak to this. 1) The restaurant doesn't have the computer system in place that supports it or 2) the restaurant doesn't want to pay the dollar a reservation or whatever it is, feeling it gets enough business without the extra expense.
Posted by: Darlene | November 15, 2007 6:52 AM
"Notice I'm not telling you about the Best Crab Cake award. I'm not turning that rock over again."
Come on, Elizabeth. You've already shown that no local had anything to do with the selections for this book. Give us a laugh and tell...
G & M
Posted by: Janet | November 15, 2007 8:08 AM
That's what chowhound (http://www.chowhound.com) is for.
Posted by: Craig | November 15, 2007 8:58 AM
does it list how much someone has to pay to get a restaurant in the top 10? I am interested in that
Posted by: Jason | November 15, 2007 9:15 AM
Darlene, the reason that some restaurants are moving away from Open Table is the price. I was recently told the cost of the service, and my jaw dropped to the floor. Annual cost is much higher than the salary of the head chef.
Unfortunately, Open Table has no competitors, giving the company the ability to set their own prices. Consequently, they charge the extreme limit of what they estimate they can get away with charging... as do all monopolies. This gives restauranteurs three options, pay the service and cut expenses elsewhere (chef and other salaries, food costs/quality, etc....), raise the prices to cover the cost, or make due without the service, which can maximize their ability to pay for quality staff, quality merchandise and provide their clientele with more reasonable prices.
Posted by: Through The Nose | November 15, 2007 12:04 PM
I'm not sure that the book is not correct, since most people regardless of where they live don't truly care -- witness the fact that chains are as popular here as anywhere.
It wouldn't surprise me if most Baltimoreans don't think Blue Sea is the best seafood restaurant. A book titled "Where The Locals Who Actually Pay Attention to Food Eat: The 100 Best Restaurants." would probably have far better recs.
Posted by: Jon Parker | November 15, 2007 2:33 PM
Thanks, Through the Nose--I had no idea!
Posted by: Darlene | November 15, 2007 2:41 PM
Why would anyone buy a book about what the locals eat when for free you can get better information from websites like ChowHound, RoadFood, and online newspaper blogs like this one?
Posted by: Robert | November 16, 2007 12:20 PM
I am one local who thinks Blue Sea Grill is the best local seafood restaurant......
Posted by: Chris | November 17, 2007 3:36 PM