In response to the recent review of the Brick House by Elisa Ung published in the Record on August 14, 2008:

I have been eating at Aldo’s restaurants for 25 years. Most of us simple folk just want to sit back and absorb and enjoy a dining experience as a respite from the daily grind. Without question, Aldo’s restaurants provide that. At the Brick House, the environment is unbeatable and the steak is far better than anything that I have ever cooked on my grill.

A practical restaurant review for your audience should relay the basic information we desire: ambiance, cost, general food assessment, etc. While Ms. Ung certainly discusses these matters, I do not want to feel as if I am reading a New Yorker gallery review when I read a restaurant review in the Record.

I am curious if Ms. Ung is still welcome at her mother’s house for Thanksgiving, as I envision her verbally eviscerating her mother for the “utterly poor consistency” of her mashed potatoes and the “barely there” cinnamon flavor in her pumpkin pie. Her dour tone is boring and out of touch with your readers’ palates.

I certainly hope that your paper lightens up in the restaurant reviews and play to its audience. The Record’s award winning Sports Section has been repeatedly praised for its solid reporting and good columnists; it relays information and opinions in asharp, realistic and comprehensible manner. I think Better Living should follow that example.
Sincerely,
Joe Haftek