05/20/2025
We are fortunate to tilt on the positive side of the scale, but thought Chase Yamagata nailed his take on reviews and wanted to share”
“🌙🍴 Late Night Foodie Ramble 🍜✨
Lately, I’ve been watching and reading a number of food reviews, and it’s made me more grateful than ever that I chose to make this group a recommendation-based community rather than a review-driven one. And I want to take a moment to share why that matters to me.
Taste is deeply personal. Every one of us has a unique palate shaped by our background, culture, experiences, and preferences. What one person finds bland, another might find perfectly balanced. What’s too spicy for one might be just right for someone else. So when someone posts a harsh negative review, it may not be a reflection of the restaurant’s quality, but rather a mismatch with their individual taste. That review, though, can unfairly influence others and potentially discourage them from experiencing something they might truly enjoy.
Since starting this group, I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredibly hardworking restaurant owners and chefs—people who pour their heart, soul, and often their life savings into creating food and spaces for us to enjoy. Behind every dish is a story, a dream, and a human being. And while constructive feedback is always valuable, public negativity rarely builds anything. More often than not, it does more harm than good.
I understand that some people feel strongly about the need to “tell it like it is” after a disappointing experience. But I’d like to ask—what’s the real goal? If it’s to warn others, is that truly worth the potential damage it could do to a small business? Especially when that same dish or experience might connect in a completely different—and positive—way with the very people you’re trying to warn?
This group isn’t about critiques. It’s about sharing joy. It’s about highlighting the things we love so others can discover them too. If we focus on what’s good, on what makes us excited to eat and explore, we create a space where everyone—diners, chefs, owners—feels supported, respected, and encouraged.
So let’s continue to celebrate the food we enjoy, lift up the people behind it, and keep this group a positive, welcoming place where every recommendation might just lead someone to their new favorite bite.”