My Bad Dining Experience (Part 2)

Based on the number of emails and phone calls I have received since my posting headed “My Bad Dining Experience” of November 10, 2011, it’s clear that I ruffled more than a few feathers in Toronto’s Jewish kosher community. I ruffled many feathers – and that’s actually a good thing. I had many people ask me the place’s name. I even had one restaurateur vehemently deny that said review was of his establishment (and trust me, it was not).

Poll 100 or 1000 kosher eaters in the greater Toronto area, and pretty much all of them say the same thing … “Toronto’s kosher restaurants are generally pretty lousy and overpriced.” Clearly, kosher restaurants don’t really have good reputations – and since I am in the business of reputation and its management, I watch for these things.

Observant Jews (for the most part) feel that because they have to eat kosher, and don’t have a choice, that kosher restaurants are in great positions to take advantage of this. True or not, let me state a few things (before I get my ass totally kicked) for the record over here:

1. This does not mean that ALL kosher restaurants are lousy and overpriced

2. This is subjective. In other words what one person may think is lousy and overpriced another would think is neither lousy nor overpriced, ie. We all have our own opinions

3. I have no axe to grind or hidden agenda with any restaurant – kosher or not

4. I am not on anyone’s payroll, nor am I interested in being on anyone's payroll – I blog for the fun of it

Within minutes of me posting my blog of November 10, I got calls and emails asking which restaurant it was – and a few people even telling me (with 100 percent certainty, at least in their own mind) which restaurant it was (as if they knew???). Well, all these people were wrong. For the purposes of the piece, the restaurant’s name is irrelevant. My experience there is what was relevant – and even then, that is subjective. I have no issue if you don’t trust my culinary judgement.

One thing that I would like to point out though is the correspondence I got from a certain very vocal member of the community though – and I really, really appreciate the interest she has showed, trying to come to the defence of the few places in Toronto that could have been said restaurant. (Let’s call her Ms. X). Anyway, this afternoon, she kindly sent me a picture of the supposedly said restaurant , and I will say it does look lovely. It looks bright, vibrant and fun – my kind of place. Moreover, in her email to me, she mentioned the following, “… Light, bright, and scrumptious. The burger special. $6.99 for half pounder (7 ounces) or Combo fries and pop $8.99. Great deal delicious or quarter pounder $2.99 combo fries and pop $5.99.”

In my posting I did say that I would give the place a second chance. Will I? Hell yeah! Just as soon as I can get there, I will.

So, looking back – what can I conclude:

1. Ms X is on the ball, expressed dismay when I wrote the initial review and has followed up with me a few times. She challenged me professionally a little (and I like that). I’ll bet that in her profession Ms. X is equally on the ball

2. Kosher food is a big business – and it’s dismaying to see the generally short lives of Toronto’s kosher establishments. Just last night I heard that one of Toronto’s oldest kosher restaurants is shutting down. Not good at all. That news makes me sad

3. Kosher restaurant owners, whether you’re in Toronto or not --- listen up --- seems that your reputations are not great --- again, generally speaking. I am not a restaurateur or a restaurant critic, but you may want to focus on delivering great food, great service and charging fairly. And yes, reputation management is important – after all in my biz we say, “Perception is reality” Yup, these are not new concepts, but as a foodie (friendly with other foodies) you may want to take extra special heed

Umm – just sayin;

Oh and Ms. X – thanks for your interest