The Secret Life of a Restaurant Critic

Anyone ever get angry about a bad review?

Of course, restaurateurs, chefs, and faithful customers don't always like what I write. Early in my reviewing days, as I sat at a Theater District restaurant, those at my table overheard a woman loudly telling her companions, "I don't see how she can be vegetarian and review restaurants." I'm not (I could just see myself writing, "Well, the steak tartare looked delicious"), but that vegetarian rumor persisted for a while.

Once a South End restaurant owner called my editors and threatened to get a gun - he didn't, as far as I know. And there are some in the business who don't return my phone calls or who complain about me to my colleagues. And after a critical review or even a mixed one, I often am barraged with e-mails from a restaurant's fans or enemies wondering how I could be so dumb. It's part of the job, and I'm glad people are passionate about the places they love - or hate.