The O’s Diner is out - do you agree?
So- the breathlessly anticipated 2005 version of Diner has hit the streets (online version here, but I’d pick up the real thing if I were you.)
They’ve adroitly sidestepped last year’s controversy by naming a restaurant - Andina - as restaurant of the year that’s actually been open all 12 months (as contrasted to last year’s winner, clarklewis, only open for a few months when Diner 2004 was published.) That controversy’s subtly acknowledged this year - if you’re a careful or attentive reader, that is - by noting the placement the Ripe empire’s newest venture, Gotham Bldg Tavern, in the ‘Just Opened’ sidebar.
They also didn’t commit the Merc’s faux pasa a month or so ago by publishing a Gotham Bldg review worded in present tense - whoops, what do you mean the place hasn’t actually opened yet? (and no, we weren’t the only ones to notice.)
And the Trib? I’d dismissed most of their breathily-overwrought reviews for the most part - until hearing that Audrey Van Buskirk (ex-WWeek and noted NW food writer) was there to overhaul the joint. It’ll be interesting to see what she does…their recent food supplement - entree shows promise (and their online version beats out Diner’s version by a hair - which, granted, isn’t hard to do, and is no reflection on The O or Diner folks…)
Lest you think I’m not even-handed in my pickiness, let’s not leave Willamette Week out. I love FoodFinder, and enjoy their reviews (depending on who’s writing them) - but since it’s not in their site navigation or referenced in most pages, you’ll have to forage around to find it on your own (unless you bookmark the handy link I’ve just provided above.)
All in all, I end up going back to Diner and WWeek for my restaurant reviews for the most part, sprinkled with some searches/browsing through Chowhound’s PacNW message board (warning: it’s pretty time-intensive.) But my favorite local daily read for all things food and dining-related? Nick Zukin’s extramsg.com…load it in your RSS reader and see if you don’t agree.
What do you think of The O’s choices this year (I’ll be reading the rest of Diner tonight over a glass or two of wine, so I can’t weigh in yet…)? Any other glaring omissions, or obvious favorites? And - where do you go for reviews you trust?
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Thanks for the plug! (But it’s Nick *Z*ukin.) ;-)
Check out the bloglines blogroll down the left side for more food-related RSS feeds, too. (I’m going to split out the Portland ones soon.) And check out the links for other places to get food info in Portland. Afterall, I’m not here to be the only voice on food in Portland, I’m here to evangelize good food so I can eat better!