Restaurants review the customers in Australia (and here?)

The Reverse Yelp: Restaurants Can Now Review Customers, Too

Your restaurant is watching you. Or if it isn’t yet, it probably will be soon. The Sydney-based restaurant reservation system Dimmi ResDiary, Australia’s version of OpenTable , allows participating restaurants to track and rate customers’ dining “performance”—what they ordered, how much they tipped, whether they made any demanding requests (take note, dressing-on-the-side people), and anything else that might prepare waiters for their arrival. “Diners will behave better, tip better, treat staff better. It will help improve the industry and may help the diner get that all important upgrade next time,” Dimmi Chief Executive Officer Stevan Premutico told the Australian website GoodFood. Think of it as a reverse Yelp —the restaurants’ way of reviewing you.
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Dressing on the side is a demanding request?

Still, cute idea that I sincerely doubt will get any traction.

David Hammond wrote:Dressing on the side is a demanding request?

Still, cute idea that I sincerely doubt will get any traction.

Yeah, my first reaction is: "Want to go out of business fast? Start reviewing your customers."

riddlemay wrote:

David Hammond wrote:Dressing on the side is a demanding request?

Still, cute idea that I sincerely doubt will get any traction.

Yeah, my first reaction is: "Want to go out of business fast? Start reviewing your customers."

^^^^^^^^^ Yep. I could see folks specifically avoiding a place for fear they could be reviewed.

I consider restaurants apart of the hospitality industry. If they don't wish to be hospitable, perhaps they should consider another line of work.

I think it's hilarious. Dangerous, but hilarious.

I think this already happens quite a bit in many US fine dining venues. Alinea's Nick Kokonas has at times commented on the type of information they store on customers, such as frequency and length of bathroom breaks if I recall correctly. Several restaurants I have been to have "notes" on me in that my server will reference something from a previous visit (i.e. a food aversion I had mentioned or something in particular I liked even when I have not previously had the same server). Some restaurants keep track of who my server of choice is or table of choice and try to match those when I arrive if possible without my saying anything. I actually prefer when a restaurant takes notes on me as it generally results in an enhanced dining experience; I have been frustrated at some high end venues where I have dined on multiple occasions where each visit I feel like it is my first time there. A restaurant posting reviews of patrons publicly would be foolish and likely would be detrimental from a business perspective, but I think that a moderate to upscale restaurant privately taking notes on patrons is very positive and mutually beneficial if done well.

Gonzo70 wrote:A restaurant posting reviews of patrons publicly would be foolish and likely would be detrimental from a business perspective, but I think that a moderate to upscale restaurant privately taking notes on patrons is very positive and mutually beneficial if done well.

Agreed. As is the case with most every business transaction, the parties at a restaurant meal do not possess equal leverage. Yes, a successful transaction is ultimately mutually beneficial but the customer has the upper hand in almost every case. The restaurant needs the customers in order to survive. The customers do not need the restaurants in order to survive.

=R=

Gonzo70 wrote: I actually prefer when a restaurant takes notes on me as it generally results in an enhanced dining experience; I have been frustrated at some high end venues where I have dined on multiple occasions where each visit I feel like it is my first time there.

I am always shocked when fine dining establishments fail to remember or acknowledge repeat guests. There's something deeply endearing to be greeted with "Welcome back" or "Good to see you again" upon returning to a restaurant. It's a simple thing that earns such goodwill.

ReddiWhipSmart wrote:

Gonzo70 wrote: I actually prefer when a restaurant takes notes on me as it generally results in an enhanced dining experience; I have been frustrated at some high end venues where I have dined on multiple occasions where each visit I feel like it is my first time there.

I am always shocked when fine dining establishments fail to remember or acknowledge repeat guests. There's something deeply endearing to be greeted with "Welcome back" or "Good to see you again" upon returning to a restaurant. It's a simple thing that earns such goodwill.

My worst repeat visit was at Topolobampo. It was my third time having dinner there, second within three months and I had the same exact server as the previous visit. Not only was there no "welcome back" but I once again received a lengthy lecture from said server on what a tasting menu was and how I should not be intimidated by five courses. Furthermore I again received the lengthy lecture about what a wine pairing was and how I should not be scared off by five pours of wine as they are smaller than normal pours. The server was in full lecture mode; I wanted to relay that I had just consumed a nine course meal a couple days earlier at Grace, had another fourteen course meal later in the week at Elizabeth scheduled, and the only thing intimidating to me about a five course tasting menu is leaving hungry, but she was on autopilot and it was difficult to interject so I let her ramble again. I had been planning on ordering the tasting menu, but was frustrated by the end of her speech, so I told her that ordering five courses sounded crazy and I opted for a la carte.

On my fourth visit (I guess I am a glutton for punishment) I opted for lunch to avoid the tasting menu speech. Still no welcome back, but more gems such as when I ordered a Mezcal cocktail I was warned that it was "smoky" and I may want to order something else unless I happen to enjoy smoky drinks and was "taught" that mole negro "even has chocolate." I love the food at Topolo, but dining there can be so frustrating.

Gonzo70 wrote:I think this already happens quite a bit in many US fine dining venues. Alinea's Nick Kokonas has at times commented on the type of information they store on customers, such as frequency and length of bathroom breaks if I recall correctly.

As someone with no interest in Alinea, the prospect of Nick Kokonas standing outside the bathroom with a stopwatch while I evacuate has me checking the website for the next available reservation.

I usually spend an extra couple minutes in there just to skew the stats - though that inherently leads to suspicions of napkin boosting.

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Gonzo70 wrote:A restaurant posting reviews of patrons publicly would be foolish and likely would be detrimental from a business perspective, but I think that a moderate to upscale restaurant privately taking notes on patrons is very positive and mutually beneficial if done well.

Agreed. As is the case with most every business transaction, the parties at a restaurant meal do not possess equal leverage. Yes, a successful transaction is ultimately mutually beneficial but the customer has the upper hand in almost every case. The restaurant needs the customers in order to survive. The customers do not need the restaurants in order to survive.

=R=

We take notes for sure. Internal notes. They should not be made public. In my opinion, that violates the nature of the host/guest relationship. Save your shit talking for post-shift drinks and wear your game face at all times. If you can't do that, you don't belong in the business.

I can not imagine a scenario when it would be appropriate for a restaurant to publicly review a guest.

I've always assumed this was already being done. Even before the internet, I assumed that restaurants kept tabs on their regulars; these days, I can't even conceive of restaurants not sharing & selling their customer data the way every other business does.

I consider restaurants apart of the hospitality industry.

Ah English, where a missing space can spin the meaning 180 degrees.