http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2013/02/15/apparently-the-words-press-event-mean-different-things-to-different-people Comments On: Apparently the Words "Press Event" Mean Different Things to Different People by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey en-us Copyright 2013 Portland Mercury. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Portland Mercury readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Portland Mercury. webmaster@portlandmercury.com (Portland Mercury Webmaster) Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Sun, 19 May 2013 17:00:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
Think of the ethics like this: if Chris got invited to a free preview dinner especially for press and his socks WERE blown off -- like, everything was amazing, and the service was impeccable, and none of the servers smelled like week-old cigarette smoke --

Should he review that?

He got a special performance. This is not what you would experience, if you went on an average Thursday and spent your own money. You might expect more -- the prices might make or break the impression you get of the food -- the restaurant might be chronically understaffed.

But there's a reason critics don't usually, in cases where the product can be changed, identify themselves as critics or accept special treatment if they're recognized -- they're aspiring to have as close to an everyday experience with the product as possible.
Posted by Melogna]]> Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:21:17 -0800 Portland Mercury
I guess the way I look at it is that the movies and plays you review are all complete ad ready for public consumption. Whether Quartet was (tragically) trying extra hard for this press crowd or not, reviewing an unopened restaurant isn't particularly helpful to anyone -- after all, you wouldn't publicly evaluate a whole show based on the dress rehearsel or a special press showing.

Obviously, I don't think it's an affront to Quartet to post the review -- I don't really care about their feelings -- but I do think it's ethically meh to review a product based on a special performance. It's an incomplete evaluation of an incomplete product.
Posted by Melogna]]> Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:14:08 -0800 Portland Mercury
The purpose has got to be that they want glowing reviews. And if they're hoping for glowing reviews, then why aren't they pulling out all the stops to blow the doors off?

And when they fail to impress, when they fail period, well, it seems plausible - even reasonable - that the journalists involved write accordingly.

To do otherwise, would be a failure of journalistic ethics; a failure to do right by their readers. A journalist's responsibility is primarily to his/her readers. Sure, there's some responsibility to his/her subjects (I work in politics, so this complaint is something I know well), but if the subject is hoping for coverage, they shouldn't be shocked when they actually get it.
Posted by karichisholm]]> Sun, 17 Feb 2013 12:04:58 -0800 Portland Mercury
Fuck these people and this restaurant. These bitch cakes won't publicize their prices and Onstad's the coward? They only price mentioned anywhere was something about a 16 dollar burger. Clearly this management group is targeting only people who can afford 30+ dollar plates.

In a town full of good people slaving away in tiny restaurants and tin boxes for razor-thin margins only to bring amazing food to anyone regardless of income level, this kind of restaurant group should be seen as an abomination. They don't care about food, about what it means to invest heart and soul into your trade, about distribution and hunger issues in a larger context or even a quality dining experience. If anything, they care the minimum amount necessary to garner a big return for their inevestors.
Yea, I'm being didactic. But fuck this place. And fuck anyone who goes there. And fuck Portland Monthly for writing a kiss-ass piece on it, which I'm sure they'll do if they haven't already. Hope this place dies in a week.


AND NO STEALING MY BITCH CAKES FOOD CART NAME.
Posted by TSW]]> Sat, 16 Feb 2013 10:09:45 -0800 Portland Mercury Posted by dangermouth]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 23:45:38 -0800 Portland Mercury Posted by Tom [______] .]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 23:33:25 -0800 Portland Mercury
You bring up an interesting point! But just like I don't feel the need to send a "personal note" to tell Steven Spielberg how disappointed I was with "War Horse" before I write the review, or tell Mayor Charlie Hales that I disagree with his policies before I print my thoughts in the paper, or send a note to a panned theater company before the review comes out... (GASP! Pant! Pant!) Shall I go on? (My point is that when Spielberg et al. are asking for press to attend their event, they are generally prepared for any opinion the press may have... good or bad. )
Posted by Wm. Steven Humphrey]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:00:41 -0800 Portland Mercury Posted by Blabby]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:57:58 -0800 Portland Mercury Posted by TSW]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:49:15 -0800 Portland Mercury
Not surprising, these same dickish asses are all pissy cause they got a shit review. Boo-hoo.

Fuck that place, fuck its clients, and fuck the reviewers who will suck up to a restaurant just to stay trendy and not rock the boat.
Posted by fidelity_axiom]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:44:56 -0800 Portland Mercury
My guess is you'll send CO back in a few months, he'll write how the place has improved since the press event but overall it still sucks.
Posted by TSW]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:07:16 -0800 Portland Mercury Posted by Commenty Colin]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:59:46 -0800 Portland Mercury Posted by Melogna]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:40:36 -0800 Portland Mercury Posted by Melogna]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:39:19 -0800 Portland Mercury
Yeah, they seem to appreciate that more than the sexual harassment. THOUGH I'M NOT SURE WHY. My sexual harassment is "the best."
Posted by Wm. Steven Humphrey]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:30:23 -0800 Portland Mercury Posted by pork chop]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:25:52 -0800 Portland Mercury Posted by pork chop]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:22:27 -0800 Portland Mercury