DCist: WaPo Food Critic's Review Retracted for Conflict-of-Interest Violation

monkeyrotica

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:26:25 -0500

Yeah, the star system is pretty meaningless. WTF does one star signify? At least with the Michelin guide, you know where you stand. Perhaps some combination of stars and turds? Although, at that font size, the turd would be practically indistinguishable from a pickle. Maybe if it were mound-shaped with little stink lines? I'm looking at you, Sequoia.

HCE

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:20:52 -0500

"From what I heard (which is all heresay, mind you), this is a result of a friendship gone bad. Rather unprofessional on both ends, given the big sign on the door at Commissary this weekend, though kind of justified on the owner's part." If this is indeed true, then Sietsema needs to be shown the door, post-haste.

kelly5612

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:48:48 -0500

A rating system where only one star still classifies it as "satisfactory" is not to be taken seriously.

EdTheRed

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:22:27 -0500

@monkey: Great Wall Szechuan House on 14th St. NW. Good n' cheap, and not run by Tom's ex.

muckraker

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:04:38 -0500

The only times I read restaurant reviews in the Post are when Tom is on vacation and someone else fills in. I wish the WaPo would have a wider range of reviewers and rotate their reviews each week. Anyone listening?

HCE

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:50:57 -0500

This is pretty amusing I only read Sietsema when I feel like getting pissed off anyway

shewhoisthat

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:41:03 -0500

From what I heard (which is all heresay, mind you), this is a result of a friendship gone bad. Rather unprofessional on both ends, given the big sign on the door at Commissary this weekend, though kind of justified on the owner's part. Not that Commissary is great, but it is cheap & the food is reliably decent. Sietsema is apparently reviled by other notable food critics in town. He isn't discreet, throws his weight around in person (which really ruins the experience of the reviewer in relation to the average diner, IMHO), and sexually harasses the wait staff.

Fluxgirl

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:26:44 -0500

Hey, the bad reviews are the most fun to read!!!

gmail

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:02:06 -0500

Based on the WaPo standards for retraction, I'm pretty much disqualified from reviewing any and all quirky female-fronted indie-pop bands. YOWSA!

monkeyrotica

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:55:22 -0500

I can't remember the last place he reviewed that I could actually afford. That place that served wooly mammoth burgers in a cave? Maybe!

registeringsucks

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:46:54 -0500

If this is sarcasm, it's poorly constructed. If not, what the hell does it matter? What does it matter whether it matters? Idle curiousity remains legal (for now). I would believe the review. Merkado was heinous, and Logan and the Heights leave quite a lot to be desired.

IMGoph

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:43:39 -0500

wow. harsh.

boondoggle

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:31:50 -0500

I had no idea Sietsema had ever even been in prison, though being able to toss a salad or hide a salami does give you some measure of food critic street cred.

Caribou Barbie

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:24:05 -0500

Are the owners are men. Was this personal relationship of a "sexual" nature I wonder? If this is sarcasm, it's poorly constructed. If not, what the hell does it matter? In any case, the Commissary deserved that review. It blows.

jman

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:10:23 -0500

Tom mostly cares about interior decor and ensuring that the venue serves heaping portions of attitude.

Jaynuze

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:01:29 -0500

Tom's review was "uncharacteristically scathing"?! Are you serious ... anyone remember what happened to Le Pigalle after his less than pleasant review? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/26/AR2006072601281.html Not that I'm a pro at restaurant reviews, but his are tired and trite. Time to retire Tommy boy.

fedward

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:51:51 -0500

I read the review before it was retracted, and nothing in it strained credulity based on my experiences at the owners' other restaurants. I'm consistently underwhelmed by Logan Tavern (especially at those prices), and flat-out disappointed by The Heights. After a couple meals at Merkado that weren't bad but were well wide of their menu descriptions we gave up on anything but the half-price appetizers at the bar during happy hour. If I'm looking for a place to hang out on that block I head to Stoney's or 1409 Playbill. Commissary: meh.

trebek26

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:40:16 -0500

Are the owners are men. Was this personal relationship of a "sexual" nature I wonder?

EdTheRed

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:32:19 -0500

Also, I'd like to point out that it's entirely possible that this "prior relationship" person pulled a "Fight Club" on Tom's clam chowder...

EdTheRed

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:31:05 -0500

Commissary *does* kinda suck, but that review was a little over-the-top...then again, I enjoyed reading it - it had a sort-of "Tom Shales reviews the Kathie Lee Christmas special" quality to it.

no_more_caffeine

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:27:18 -0500

Most restaurant reviews on Yelp are better than Tom's. Oh, snap! But seriously. They are.

HCE

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:20:30 -0500

Time for Sietsema to move on.