Food review sites - friend or foe?

“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations.” – Oscar Wilde

'The customer is always right' is a saying that any person involved in food is taught to adhere to.

But with so many online outlets allowing consumers to field their food frustrations it can be difficult to sit back and take it all on the chin.

However, one restaurateur may wish he had bit his tongue after an argument with one of his diners caused a viral stir.

The argument began when a food reviewer known as ‘Sinsand’ dined at the Bladebone Inn near Reading and had complained about his portion of beef rib with marrow bone smoked mash.

After receiving a bill with no money off Sinsand demanded answers from the ‘incompetent and rude waiter’ who turned out to be owner Kiren Puri.

Following a further argument the owner walked away saying the diners didn’t have to pay so Sinsand left money for one meal and drinks.

But it was the review on online forum Trip Advisor that riled the owner into his next outburst.

Mr Puri responded to claims of his ‘aweful (sic) food and dire complaint handling’ by claiming the person was just after a ‘freebie’.

The one star review from the diner believed to have been from Berkshire said he had left his food because it was ‘practically inedible’.

Mr Puri replied saying ‘you claim to be foodies. I have never met a self professed foodie start his meal with a bowl of chips’.

In such a highly pressurised industry it can hurt to hear negative things about the food you work tirelessly to prepare and cook day in day out.

But are you better to just accept you can’t please everyone and move on or do you think the restaurateur was right to stand up for himself?

Do you find review sites such as Trip Advisor useful and would it influence where you choose to eat?

Let us know your thoughts by commenting below or by visiting our Facebook page or Twitter.