665496 Sat Nov 07 18:47:51 -0800 2009 3 33 Food Media and News 0 5164221 The NYT has changed the rating system of its suburban restaurant reviews (CT, NJ, LI & Westchester) from the timeless (Extraordinary), Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, (Fair) & Poor to: "RATINGS Metropolitan has changed its restaurant rating system to: Don’t Miss, Worth It, In a Pinch, Don’t Bother." (Note: Extraordinary & Fair were not used in all 4 regions.) Yet another brilliant idea from the offices of the NYT. Change for the sake of change. Can't wait to see what's in store for the 5 boroughs. Sat Nov 07 18:47:51 -0800 2009 13170 rbailin 1 5165240 I like that. It's self-explanatory and isn't subject to different interpretations by reviewers. Sun Nov 08 11:48:30 -0800 2009 5164221 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 5165335 Read the first review today in the CT section with the new ratings. Happened to be a new restaurant in my town that we've eaten at about 5 times, we like it very much. The review was pretty spot on, the reviewer had almost nothing negative to say, gave it a "Worth It", although it reads like a "Don't Miss" review. I have to say that the categories just sound a little obnoxious (maybe condescending) to me. "In a Pinch"? What does that mean? If there is no where else to go you should go there? But the food will be bad? Then wouldn't you just stay home? However, I disagree that it is "self-explanatory and not subject to different interpretations"...it's a review, the reviewers opinion, of course it is subject to different interpretations, same as any category designation. Sun Nov 08 12:58:01 -0800 2009 5164221 142362 sibeats 2 5182404 I agree, I think the new categories are horrible...how about this for an idea...use stars like everyone else in the world! Sat Nov 14 20:33:23 -0800 2009 5165335 1099692 mcllmlathd