Uncalled-for criticism

Uncalled-for criticism

What can I say about your paper's review of our restaurant in
The Jakarta Post dated Oct. 11, 2000? I was not aware of the
reviews, until a customer telephoned me to comment. His rebuttal
of this tasteless piece of drivel allows for little explanation
on my part. I have faxed his comments for your review; you may
want to employ him as your new food critic.

Both our restaurants in Jakarta, Hazara and Lan Na Thai, have
flourished despite difficult times. We are very thankful for
this. Lan Na Thai in particular is very popular within the
expatriate and Indonesian communities. Our staff work very hard
in developing these restaurants. I am very proud of their
accomplishments. They deserve better!

I am curious as to how your food critic can comment on a
restaurant after one visit. May I suggest a minimum of three
visits before reviewing a restaurant. His or her selection for
dinner that night hardly represents "sophisticated dining" worthy
of a food critic from a prominent publication. The critic's
choice of vegetarian spring rolls, vegetarian curry, and
vegetable stir-fry accompanied by tonic water and draft beer
doesn't really sound like quality. Your expert food critic should
have been embarrassed to admit to such a modest dinner to judge
by in such a refined and sophisticated environment. I know I
would be.

Criticism is something that we all should be able to take,
but when it is heavy-handed and without a sense of fair play, it
should be attacked. A review focusing only on a few dark blotches
surrounded by such beauty and refinement is not justified.

STEPHEN BIANCHIN

General Manager

Hazara and Lan Na Thai

Jakarta