Q:
If you were rating/reviewing a restaurant, which of the following criteria are most important to you? Please select your Top 3 choices ONLY. (We are calculating a new scale for ratings that will weight your priorities appropriately.) Feel free to email more feedback using the link on the next page.
A:
5584 Total Votes
| The quality of the cuisine is most important to me. |
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| Value for money is my biggest concern, regardless of whether it’s gourmet or hole-in-the-wall. |
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| Cleanliness is crucial to me in choosing where I eat. |
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| I rate good service over other factors. |
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| I take ambiance into account significantly -- decor, style, music, the overall vibe. |
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| The location is very important to me -- I don’t feel safe in dodgy neighborhoods, no matter how good the food might be. |
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| I/someone in my regular party has food allergies/special-diet needs, so a restaurant’s ability/willingness to accommodate this is crucial. |
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| OTHER - please explain using email link on next page. |
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Analysis
Thanks for all your feedback, which we'll definitely bear in mind when building our new rating system. We were particularly interested to see the emphasis on quality at any price over value, and that cleanliness was more important to many than service. In terms of specific observations, here are some of your responses:
- "Quality and Service are the two important criteria, period. You might have a very impressive room with nice ambiance, but if the food tastes mediocre (I'm looking at YOU Top of the World...) or the service is rude (Can you hear me over there SPAGO??) your patrons will be very dissapointed.
- Restaurant choice is a highly personal undertaking. Even the quality of food and ambiance are moving targets that two reasonable folks may never agree on. For example... a member of my immediate family is severely handicapped...making access a big item...no matter how wonderful the food, decor, etc are.... it does not matter if we cannot get in the joint without a major effort. Another example ... smoking. People have strong opinions on it and they are all "correct" insofar as how they apply their preference to restaurant choice. While all restaurants are covered by the same basic regulations, I would like to know if a given one, in some fashion or another, will allow me to cap off a good meal with my desert preference ... a good cigar. Similarly, the question of ambiance is situational ... an overly attentive wait staff can be a good thing when late for a show, but a pain in the keester when catching up with an old friend. Gimmickry (plates full of foam, drinks that appear to be erupting) is another item that draws some into a restaurant, but for me is a distraction. Reviews are important. While it was impossible for me to rank your list, I do rely on reviews and, over time, have found that consistency and clarity have led me to rely on certain reviewers ... and to disregard the efforts of others. I do trust the reviews offered by LVA, and place great stock in them. That being said, I certainly want to know about new and creative chefs, if the restaurant staff is friendly and engaged in the enterprise, if the food is well and freshly prepared and so on. Hope this helps. [Ed: For sure! Thanks for taking the time.]
- Food has to be good. It MUST be a good value, of course. What isn't mentioned in your choices is the clientele. We are 50-something Boomers. We don't want blaring rap music, or noisy kids (be it crying toddlers or drunken college students). We LOVE happy hours with unusual food and good cocktails with a great "vibe," that generally attracts a more respectful, adult following. Places like Sushi Samba in the Palazzo and House of Blues' bar work for us. If I see anyone sitting there in a backwards baseball cap, I walk out.
- When in town, I actually look for out-of-the-way, hole-in-the-wall joints." With a little research, and help from locals sites such as LVA and city search, I have come across some incredible places and had many great meals as my reward.
A little homework goes a long way! Hint: read the locals reviews, I have never been steered wrong.
- Well, I have worked in the food industry and the #1 factor above all others is cleanliness, plus employees who deliver the atmosphere. Ever go to a 5-star restaurant that has roaches? Yep. Did I go there again? Nope. After you get past having a clean environment, the people running the show work just as hard to give you the best food and service.
- "Other: Menu variety. I like much to choose from.
- When I'm in Vegas I'm looking for the "wow" factor. Top of the World, Voodoo Lounge, Eiffel Tower would be examples of wow by view, but it could also be Jaleo with its fishbowl Sangria and amazing tastes. Delmonico's wowed me with its service. The Paris brunch buffet in its early days would also be an example as it seemed so much superior in quality, live food stations, and even layout. We were at the Blue Iguana at Circus Circus and had one of the very best margaritas ever. The lounge at the Mandarin Oriental, where we sat down right at sunset, so peaceful and elegant with an amazing Strip view... So, I don't know how to describe the "wow" factor, but I know it when I see it.
- An option not listed is how unique the item is. If it sounds interesting and & I can't get it elsewhere I will go out of my way to try it here - like those deep fried twinkies at Mermaids (but once was enough for those things ;)
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