The mythic locals who know where to eat
I want to dispel the whole notion that you can go to a town and instead of eating at the obvious touristy places, you can ask the locals where they eat -- and they'll tell you. I mean, I like to think that's true, but let's get realistic.
What would happen if you stopped a man in the street in Baltimore and asked him where would be a good place to try local food? I shudder to think. Of course, you could always luck out; but what are the odds?
If you don't believe me, take a look at the restaurants voted "Most Popular" in the 2008 Zagat Survey. The No. 1 choice is Clyde's. A place like Samos doesn't show up until No. 27.
Disclaimer: Nothing against Clyde's. Because it's my mother-in-law's favorite restaurant in Washington, I eat there more than you might think.
(Kenneth K. Lam/Sun photographer)
Comments
To my mind, that result alone calls into question the usefullness of the Zagat Survey. Like you, I don't mean this as an attack on Clyde's, but Baltimore's #1 pick is a restaurant whose closest outpost is in Columbia? Again, no, Columbia is not that far from Baltimore, but if you're from out of town and staying/visiting Baltimore, how likely are you to drive about an half an hour out of town, towards DC? (To save some attacks, no, I'm not that parochial, I'm usually in Columbia weekly.) Its not quite the same as driving north into Hunt Country to the Milton Inn (just to pick a name, which is also a part of a chain.)
The obvious conclusion is that Zagat is nothing but a 'throw it at the wall and see what sticks' listing. If other localities are so segmented, I'm thinking a #10 or #27 is a better choice than #2 or #3.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 4, 2008 9:07 AM
I enjoy the Zagat concept and participated last year in their Washington-Baltimore survey. But ever since, I've been getting Zagat's E-mail newsletter devoted to Washington restaurants and dining news. Not a mention of Baltimore. We no longer exist. It's not just insulting, it's dumb marketing. Why cosset several hundred thousand potential subscribers, then remind them, week after week, that you consider them inferior to their fellow diners some forty miles south?
Posted by: Michael A. Gray | April 4, 2008 9:09 AM
UGH. The food scene in Baltimore is soo much better than it was even five years ago. But surveys like this seem to be stuck in the late 80s.
Posted by: mike | April 4, 2008 9:31 AM
Its the difference between a popular vote by anyone who wishes to participate (think American Idol, though I'd rather not) and restaurant reviews by a smart, educated, knowledgeable restaurant critic from your local newspaper.
Posted by: Mr. Old Fart | April 4, 2008 12:32 PM
I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't put much stock in the Zagat Survey. While we re in NOLA this past week, my husband saw a place and it had the Zagat sticker in the window. He had said, "Well, it's Zagat rated. It should be pretty good." To which I replied, "Meh. Maybe not. It just means the place is popular."
I put more stock in Chowhound. And D@L of course...
Posted by: Maggi | April 4, 2008 1:25 PM
As with any source of critique or review, you have to take it with a grain of salt and decide for yourself the validity of the source.
Reminds me of a visit to Boston in 2003 where seemingly all the locals referred me to Legal Seafood when I asked them which is the best place for authentic New England Clam Chowder. Unbelievable.
Instead I went to the Fish Pier in Dorchester and had a completely different experience.
But the sad reality is that many visitors leave Baltimore with the impression that our best and most authentic offering is the food at Phillips at Harborplace...
No wonder we hang our heads in shame.
Bring on the corn...
Posted by: Jay C. | April 4, 2008 5:54 PM