Reviewing a Review of a Local Restaurant

“transforming a dilapidated watering hole called Maione’s into a small family restaurant”.

That’s what a Boston Globe restaurant critic said last week in a review of The Weathervane Restaurant in Hamilton, MA.

In response, this week Theodore W. Maione’s son demanded an apology:

“My father built, operated, and spent a good part of his life in that restaurant. It had a great reputation and I can’t ever remember it being referred to as a ‘watering hole.’ Although my father is no longer alive, the rest of his family and friends are hurt by your review and deserve a public apology. I hope that in the future you will be more careful with your choice of words….”

Here’s a question: Should a restaurant reviewer even be considered a “journalist”? I mean, have you ever read a restaurant review and thought, now there’s a cushy job…Just go eat somewhere, name some dishes, throw in a few quotes and you’re done. Easy, peasy.

However, there’s really no need to insult those you do not know while performing your simple task.

But then a real journalist would know that.