S. Irene does it again

[judybird]

Well, we're not destitute, but we're not hedge-fund wealthy either, just a couple of retirees who enjoy good food, and are willing to spend big bucks to have something special once in awhile. But when S. Irene Virbila of the LA Times starts raving about restaurants in London where the prices range from appetizers $21 to $27; main courses, $34 to $60; dessert, $13.50 to $17, I just stop paying attention. I just want to know who the heck she's writing for anyway? Oh, and the cheapest wine was still close to $50 and not very good.

[AAQjr]

Uhm? what's the point. Food critics shouldn't review high end restaurant's because the economy is bad and you can't afford to go.. really?! Why does that make her a bad reviewer. She reviews plenty of moderately priced restaurants as well.

I may never eat at these places either but I really enjoyed reading about the two restaurants.

[judybird]

Honestly, I don't mind reading about high-end restaurants, but I can't remember the last time she wrote about anything but. Of course, your definition of moderate might be different from ours! <G>

[bulavinaka]

I think by LA standards, this place would be considered mid-range:

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/...

S. Irene's niche does seem mostly centered around higher end places, but she does find time to slum around with mid-water feeders as well. I don't think you'd see her writing up places typically found in the section, "The Find," though - but I personally find those places far more interesting.

[Servorg]

Sherry is the "high brow" food reviewer for the LAT's. The "low brow" folks such as our very own CH "Thi" cover the ethnic and generally much less expensive (and less well known as they can't afford to hire PR flacks to tout their food) places. I doubt that the LAT's is going to send Thi or Linda Burum to London, even if all they got to review were the Pakistani, Indian and Fish & Chips stands... ;-D>

[bulavinaka]

Yeah, I have tons of respect for Thi and Linda - I picture this kind of food journalism as real gum-shoe detective work where they search high and low, leave no stone unturned, pick up on leads and suggestions, etc. IMHO, Sherry does have what it takes to go into these more visible and higher end eateries and give her take on them - agreeing or disagreeing with her is a totally different matter. But in the end, I find the writing styles of our beloved Hounds to be poetic, their reviews relevant, and I can only envy them for the spark of that moment when they realize that they truly did ferret out a truly great find.

[huiray]

Touché.

Well, there are some folks who have more money than good sense - have you seen this very recent subthread? http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7782...