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