Rockefeller, the gastropub that dared take on Yelp. Photo by Kevin Cody
The Rockefeller versus Yelp, Round One
Many restaurateurs fume quietly about vindictive or ignorant reviews on Yelp and other sites, angry about being slammed unfairly but not wanting to provoke controversy. The Rockefeller in Hermosa Beach has gone public with their hate mail, some of which is from people who haven’t eaten there but slammed the place because they don’t like the owners. The management has asked diners who like the place to submit positive reviews to counteract the haters, and have offered a free “entrée, beer, or wine item” to people who do so. I’m not wild about this tactic but understand it – most people are more motivated to write negative reviews than positive ones, so most places get worse press than they deserve. There are also false positives – I know of restaurateurs (and let me make it clear, I am not talking about the owners of The Rockefeller here) who have told their staff to post positive Yelp reviews of the place they work, and negative reviews of their competitors. The game is easily rigged in either direction, and all a casual reader can do is hope that false praise and petty vindictiveness will cancel each other out.
In their defense, Yelp attempts to deal with the problem and weed out the worst offenders, but the sheer volume of posts makes it an impossible job. The company’s business model, which involves injecting irrelevant advertiser listings into searches so that a request for restaurants in Hermosa brings up places in Gardena, doesn’t help matters; both the impartiality and accuracy of listings is impaired. The Rockefeller may not benefit in the short run from their campaign because diehard Yelpers will slam them, and their gifts to positive reviewers may cause doubts about honest assessments, but they have done a service by bringing the subject into the open.
By the way, my capsule review of The Rockefeller, not posted to Yelp: surprisingly good food, well-chosen beer list, but the relatively high prices and LOUD environment means I go there less often than I might. Also, a place by this name ought to have oysters Rockefeller more often than once a week.
That’s too bad. Less than honest reviews are a big issue. While consumers have a right to the truth, business owners need to be protected too from blatant inaccuracies, half-truths, and outright lies. Not sure what the answer to this conundrum is but we’ve been working on a solution — or envision an environment, if you will — where consumers use their social graph to filter reviews. The way it works is pretty simple: I recommend local brands and businesses I like — from dentists to painters to preschools — to friends and ask my friends to do the same thing for me. At the end of the day, we’ll each have our own reference source on great local stuff personalized for us by the people we know and trust. It greatly facilitates search as well as discovery. Sure, I might still see a fake review here and there, but the lie won’t do as much damage because I’d simply discount it and go with what friends who vouch for the establishment say. Check out http://www.socialraves.com; we’re on beta in Columbus, Ohio but you can start building your personalized reference source even if you reside outside of that market by adding your favorite businesses to the database and raving about them to friends. Remember: ask your friends to do the same. Cheers!
Postscript: a Facebook app is in the works that lets you recommend local businesses to friends right from the fan page of the business.
im a hermosa resident, been to all the restaurants. first off, none can compare food quality to what you get back east, cape cod for example. secondly, im not the only one to see prices going through the roof and portions cut. so, although i can afford any of them, i refuse to be a sucker and pay for second rate food at too high price. thus, i will probably never go. as for the noise factor , a bunch of boomers trying to make themselves heard to those who dont care what they are promulgating. total conversations added up for one nite at rockefellers wouldnt impress a fifth grader. but those phonies are so full of themselves so they need to make noise. like monkees in the zoo. they simply cant control themselves and probably screamed and yelled to get a cookie when they were children,,,, and the parents gave in.
yes, ill give you a cookie as long as you love me.
im a hermosa resident, been to all the restaurants. first off, none can compare food quality to what you get back east, cape cod for example. secondly, im not the only one to see prices going through the roof and portions cut. so, although i can afford any of them, i refuse to be a sucker and pay for second rate food at too high price. thus, i will probably never go. as for the noise factor , a bunch of boomers trying to make themselves heard to those who dont care what they are promulgating. total conversations added up for one nite at rockefellers wouldnt impress a fifth grader. but those phonies are so full of themselves so they need to make noise. like monkees in the zoo. they simply cant control themselves and probably screamed and yelled to get a cookie when they were children,,,, and the parents gave in.
yes, ill give you a cookie as long as you love me.
im a hermosa resident, been to all the restaurants. first off, none can compare food quality to what you get back east, cape cod for example. secondly, im not the only one to see prices going through the roof and portions cut. so, although i can afford any of them, i refuse to be a sucker and pay for second rate food at too high price. thus, i will probably never go. as for the noise factor , a bunch of boomers trying to make themselves heard to those who dont care what they are promulgating. total conversations added up for one nite at rockefellers wouldnt impress a fifth grader. but those phonies are so full of themselves so they need to make noise. like monkees in the zoo. they simply cant control themselves and probably screamed and yelled to get a cookie when they were children,,,, and the parents gave in.
yes, ill give you a cookie as long as you love me.
yes cheesecake factory is expensive but you get a full portion with a view. they are not on the new york stock exchange for nothing. they charge plenty. but you suckers pay it. its your own fault.. the best deal is scottys on the strand hermosa. wed and thurs nites in particular. but you wont be seen there by phonies because its not hip. so go and pay your pay check to a dump like rockefellers so maybe they can get on the stock exchange too, on your dime,,, i mean your hundred bucks. stay thirty my friend. what a joke, dont you get it? you are a follower who feels guilty if you dont pay exhorbitant prices for mediocre food and drinks. thats ok, you simply dont know any better.
yes cheesecake factory is expensive but you get a full portion with a view. they are not on the new york stock exchange for nothing. they charge plenty. but you suckers pay it. its your own fault.. the best deal is scottys on the strand hermosa. wed and thurs nites in particular. but you wont be seen there by phonies because its not hip. so go and pay your pay check to a dump like rockefellers so maybe they can get on the stock exchange too, on your dime,,, i mean your hundred bucks. stay thirty my friend. what a joke, dont you get it? you are a follower who feels guilty if you dont pay exhorbitant prices for mediocre food and drinks. thats ok, you simply dont know any better.
yes cheesecake factory is expensive but you get a full portion with a view. they are not on the new york stock exchange for nothing. they charge plenty. but you suckers pay it. its your own fault.. the best deal is scottys on the strand hermosa. wed and thurs nites in particular. but you wont be seen there by phonies because its not hip. so go and pay your pay check to a dump like rockefellers so maybe they can get on the stock exchange too, on your dime,,, i mean your hundred bucks. stay thirty my friend. what a joke, dont you get it? you are a follower who feels guilty if you dont pay exhorbitant prices for mediocre food and drinks. thats ok, you simply dont know any better.
YELP in HELL!
We pray to ALLAH that YELP EXTORTION is exposed in Federal Court! Manipulation of reviews is extortion! We pray that our LORD shows no mercy for all the emotional damage and EXTORTION they have inflicted upon small business owners and the children they support. YELP is a brood of snakes and scorpions and deserve to BURN ALIVE for their extortion, lies and slander. PRAY PSALMS 119 FOR THEIR DESTRUCTION!
Say five times: “Archangel Gabriel destroy YELP! Now!”
YELP WILL BE BANKRUPT SOON! ALL PRAISE TO ALLAH! The Merciful and Compassionate LORD OF MAN and EARTH!