First, a recommendation: The final round of the Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge (fireontherock.com) and the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival are taking place April 15-17 in Blowing Rock — an entertaining and informative event for anyone who enjoys food and wine. Go!
Next, responses to reader inquiries and criticisms, long overdue.
When I spoke to the Optimist Club awhile back, one question from the audience has remained on my mind: “Have you ever written a review that was a mistake?”
I cannot recall factual errors that were substantive enough to make me regret the review or change a rating. I have changed my mind, though, based on additional experiences. Current case in point: Imperial Koi (1941 New Garden Road, Suite 200, Greensboro; 286-3000). I assigned a rating of 2.5 forks, but if I were to judge everything I have tried during the past year or so, the rating would be higher. This has, in fact, become one of my favorite restaurants.
Steve Zorn complained about difficulty finding reviews online.
Visit GoTriad.com and click on dining. You’ll get recent reviews. Click on “View More Stories” about halfway down the page for older columns — about 20 pages worth of titles, going back about four years. You also can search on “John Batchelor” or the name of a restaurant (include the word restaurant in the search).
J. Causey chastised me regarding my review of Basil’s and Company (1310 Westover Terrace, Greensboro; 285-9023, basilsandco.com) for failing to credit pastry chef Julie Watson’s desserts. “You definitely missed out on something good. … Julie’s desserts, especially her Red Velvet Cake, (are) the best I have ever eaten!”
I plead guilty. I probably ought to consider a column just about top-ranked desserts. Does that sound interesting to readers? (By the way, you can order directly from Julie Watson at 317-6762 or simplyscrumptiousbakeshop.com.)
Kerry Patrone complained that my review of Bin 33 (324 S. Elm St., Greensboro; 609-1833) did not mention that the kitchen uses local meat and produce, such as Massey Creek Farms and Rothchild’s Farm. “That is the kind of stuff I want to read about, as our family doesn’t eat animal products given antibiotics, growth hormones (or other) feed to make them fat instead of healthy. … Get the word out — help the local farmers!”
Guilty, again. I have tried to mention local orientations, but I described so much food in that column, I did not have room for additional information.
Alexander Richard requested a list of highly rated restaurants by category.
I have not maintained such a list, but it might be a good idea for a new theme column — maybe an annual event. Would readers be interested in that?
Jody Sutlive provided one more instance of the most frequently voiced complaint I receive: noise. “There must be several ways to provide a reasonably quiet dining experience.” She mentioned a particular experience.
Ken Jacobs echoed the sentiment. “I have resolved not to go again to (he mentioned several places). … I found it impossible to have a conversation with my dining partner due to the noise level.” He recommended B. Christopher’s (2461 S. Church St., Burlington; 222-1177, bchristophers.com) as “a quiet place with excellent food.”
I agree. And I don’t understand why restaurants aren’t getting the message.
Etta B. Roberts added information regarding Southern Lights (2415 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro; 379-9414, southernlightsbistro.com).
“As a friend of the family and former middle school counselor of (Chef de Cuisine) Matt Adams, I would like to note that Matt is a four-year graduate of Johnson & Wales in Charleston, S.C. I know how hard Matt worked for that degree! Thank you for your attention to this matter.” Apologies for the omission!
John Batchelor is a freelance contributor who has been reviewing restaurants for more than 25 years. You can reach him at P.O. Box 20848, Greensboro, NC 27420, or send e-mail to john.e.batchelor@gmail.com. To find his recent columns, visit GoTriad.com.
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