Reviewing the reviewer
Wolff's was reviewed in the TU this past weekend -- and Ruth Fantasia, the reviewer, was not a fan. That prompted Matt Baumgartner -- one of Wolff's owners -- to respond on his blog, criticizing the TU for choosing "arguably the LAST person on your staff I would expect to enjoy communal seating, pretzels on the floor and the casual ambience." Update: Matt has apologized for his comments about Ruth's age and Ruth has accepted. Earlier on AOA: Wolff's Biergarten preview
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Comments
I think Matt doth protest too much. Douchey comment about the reviewer's age aside, Matt needs to realize that people have never expected great things from his food. He's got 3 really successful bar/restaurants but the draw has NEVER been the food (which is sketchy and yes, inconsistent at best). The draw has always been the convivial atmosphere (of which Matt is a big part and big kudos to him) and the copious amounts of booze. He's obviously doing something right, or he wouldn't be making money, and his bars wouldn't be as popular. Matt - your food is mediocre. Them's the facts. It's not the end of the world.
... said Ellen on Jul 20, 2009 at 3:18 PM | link
I like how Steven Barnes cries foul half way through the comments. Albany foodie drama is a great way to get me through my Monday.
... said Jackers on Jul 20, 2009 at 3:58 PM | link
I like the Biergarten a lot. I'm bonkers about the jagerschnitzel. If there's a menu item I don't like (the meatloaf), I just don't order it. The beer is great; the ambiance is fun. That being said, it's obvious that this sort of establishment might not be for everyone. I happen to like it, but I can understand why someone else might not dig the picnic tables and peanut shells.
... said Summer on Jul 20, 2009 at 4:15 PM | link
Jackers, you just made me laugh out loud in the office! I love that Barnes comment! I've been thinking the same thing lately - the Albany area foodie dramas on these blogs have been amped up, or to quote another foodie, kicked up a notch (groan) lately, huh? It's all a bit ridiculous, honestly. Ellen - right on. Matt's food has NEVER been the draw. Not sure what sort of bizarro alternate reality universe he lives in that he thinks the food matters at those places to most people who frequent them. My friends and I always say we go there just for fun, for booze, to hang out. Not to rave about the ice cold stale burritos - mmmmm, what a culinary delight! Puuuu-leeeze.
... said LR on Jul 20, 2009 at 4:58 PM | link
Incomprehensible. Ruth Fantasia is well known for her even handed reviews, sense of fairness, and reasonable nature.
... said Rob on Jul 20, 2009 at 7:08 PM | link
I suppose that I can see both sides of the issue. Matt's restaurants have some issues - mainly snobbery of the employees, inconsistent food and dirt (sorry, but Bombers is FILTHY.) On the other hand, you typically send a reviewer who may in fact like the restaurant she is going to write about. For instance you wouldn't send a vegetarian to a steak house.
...Maybe the TU planned this. If I believed in aliens and conspiracies, I'd think that.
... said Ellie on Jul 20, 2009 at 7:22 PM | link
Jackers -- the drama helped me pass the afternoon, too, on an otherwise slow news day.
How old is Ruth Fantasia, anyway?
... said Julia Thorne on Jul 20, 2009 at 7:31 PM | link
Suddenly Matt hates the upper class and is women-hater? What?
... said Summer on Jul 20, 2009 at 7:59 PM | link
I have some serious problems with Ruth Fantasia’s reviews, and as a burrito lover I will never again order one at Bomber’s. But I do like Wolff’s.
It’s not that Ruth was unfair, it was just that she was contradictory. The reviewer gets herself in trouble when she makes the audacious claim, “Trouble is, Wolff's food isn't that good.”
She later goes on to say how she liked the bratwurst, cucumber salad and onion rings. She describes the brussels sprouts as being “perfectly cooked.” And her description of the schwäbische rindsrouladen makes me want to run out for lunch and try it immediately. And I am no fan of her writing.
Sounds like at least some of the food was pretty good indeed.
N.B. When I was at Wolff’s I experienced no employee snobbery. In fact, just the opposite. Everyone was very helpful as I tried to figure out which wurst would be my favorite, and which beer would go best to wash it down.
... said Daniel B. on Jul 21, 2009 at 1:09 AM | link
This blog has gone crazy! Very entertaining indeed.
... said Summer on Jul 21, 2009 at 10:00 AM | link
Clearly, the problem is that Wolff's doesn't serve calamari.
(Disclaimer: I know Ruth. I like Ruth very much. This is a callback to a recurring theme on Steve Barnes' blog.)
... said LB on Jul 21, 2009 at 5:35 PM | link