April 07, 2005
Cole Farms Redux
Because I received such highly charged commentary on my thoughts about Cole Farms I think I should make my position clear and to explain why I wrote what I did.
The first time I went to Cole Farms was several years ago. I had often seen ads for it and read articles about the restaurant and subscribed to the notion of Cole Farms as one of those vastly revered institutions that grow like well nurtured fables in such a down-home state like Maine.
At the time I wasn’t disappointed in my dining experience. It was what I expected. But neither was I overly impressed. From Portland it’s 26 miles to Cole Farms in Gray, about 60 miles to Moody’s, about 30 miles to the Maine Diner in Wells, about 11 miles to Stone’s in North Yarmouth and a short stint over the Casco Bay Bridge to Spurwink Country Kitchen in Cape Elizabeth.
The menus are all very similar. And I decided right then and there that when I was in the mood for the prodigious hijinks of home cooking, I’d save my calorie intake for the others.
Since then I’ve returned to Cole Farms probably 5 or 6 times. It’s consistently the same. It’s really a funny, hokey place, and I mean that in a nice way. But the cooking is too bland for my hearty appetite and tastes.
It doesn’t have the humph of Moody’s or Stone’s or any of the other places. Perhaps the food is purposely bland, in consideration of their big senior citizen patronage.
But, for example, as soon as Spurwink County Kitchens in Cape Elizabeth opens for the season I’ll be there in a flash for their Salisbury steak, roast turkey or deviled crab casserole, which has to be as good as anything heaven sent. And if you haven’t ever tried their lemon meringue pie, you must because it’s a winner.
What can I say? Cole Farms just doesn’t do it for me.
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Wow! People do understand this is a BLOG, right? I guess blogs are kind of new, so maybe not everyone is familiar with the concept. As an opinion, journal-based platform, you are entitled to write whatever you feel like. I think folks are confused.
The outpouring of response is an interesting reminder of how food experiences are an important and integral part of our lives. Whether a matter of tradition, memories, or just plain habit, it can clearly evoke strong emotion.
I've disagreed with you many times (Local 188 is fun, 555 is silly "big fish, little pond" pretension) but I hope to heck you won't sensor yourself so as not to offend in the future. Surely there is room for honest opinion, popular or not. Besides, Cole Farms is an institution with a huge following, it will be fine.
Maybe next you could review the oysters at J's :)
Posted by
ameliaApril 7, 2005 04:51 PM
Well it's nice to read something sensible in a sea of
such utter silliness. Thanks, Amelia, for yout comment.
J's is on my list. Haven't been there in a long time.
Posted by
John GoldenApril 7, 2005 04:58 PM
I find this all quite amusing. We sort of touched on this topic a few weeks back when we were discussing big city vs. small city reviewers, what people were looking for in reviewers, and how reviewers can affect people.
First I'd like to say that I'm proud of John for writing what's on his mind, and I feel sad for those people who question the editors or laughably mention lawsuits all because their feelings were hurt because a local establishment that they hold near and dear to their heart was criticized.
So John said a few critical things of his fellow diners - so what? Take it with a grain of salt people - lighten up and laugh. Besides, he was probably dead on.
As Amelia mentioned, this is a blog folks, not a front-page review.
Keep up the good work John.
Posted by
JillApril 7, 2005 09:00 PM
Just had dinner at Olive Garden. Should I dare say what I think?
ONly kidding, folks. Thanks for all the great comments.
Posted by
John GoldenApril 7, 2005 09:19 PM
John:
I mentioned to you back in January to stick to food writing. Stop being a interior design critic and now a fashion critic. It comes off as shallow and takes away from your food reviews. By the way, Spurwink Country Kitchen is in Scarborough not Cape Elizabeth.
Posted by Peter C.
April 8, 2005 09:06 AM
I think it's quite clear from John's blog that he has a real fondness for Maine and Maine restaurants. It's also clear that he has an acerbic wit. I've never met the guy, but I feel like I can at least trust him to say what he thinks, whether I agree or not. Few restaurant reviewers do that in Maine, so he provides a real service to those of us who spend our hard-earned money eating out in restaurants.
Some people like bland, uninspired food. Others don't. Judging by John's review, it sounds like people in the first group will like Cole Farms. That's fine. The second group of people will not. That's fine, too.
The same can be said of writing. Some people like bland writing; they are likely to prefer the Taste & Tell restaurant write-ups in the Sunday Telegram. Others don't; they are likely to prefer John's insightful, incisive (and sometimes incitive) reviews on this blog. Each type of writing has its own purpose and audience.
I, for one, am thrilled (and frankly shocked) that the Press Herald has dared to have John as a blogger. Although the newspaper's motto, printed daily on page A2, is "credibilty is our business," I don't find it very credible for anything beyond straight news reporting. Most of the opinion-oriented pieces are weak. Jeanine Guttman's column in the Sunday paper usually reads like promotional copy for her newspaper ("this week, let me tell you another reason why we are wonderful"), and Bill Nemitz's columns usually panders to a formulaic, cutesy, "hooray for the underdog" mindset. Unfortunately, a newspaper doesn't become credible just by saying it is and making it the corporate motto. Things like John's blog are credible.
I hope that John won't be muzzled by the editors. Most educated, well-informed people know that Taste & Tell is useless, and I don't waste time reading it. It seems to be intended to placate advertisers more than provide credible information to readers. But I do visit the Press Herald's Web site specifically to read John's blog. Good-quality, incisive writing, not blandness, is what increases readership -- and therefore keeps advertisers happy.
One note to John: Although I greatly appreciate your candor, respect your opinions, and enjoy your writing style, I do think that you sometimes take cheap shots at people who seem like easy targets. If you're going to make acerbic comments about the physical appearance of people at places like Cole Farms, then sometimes you'd better do the same for diners at the more snooty restaurants (I'm one of those people). I don't recall you doing that. But, really, it would be better to avoid the nasty personal comments altogether and stick to your insight on things like the food, atmosphere, service, and general character of a place. I know you don't mean any harm by your comments on people, but it detracts from your otherwise welcome contributions to the Maine community.
OK, that's my rant on the subject. Keep at it!
Pete
Posted by
PeteApril 8, 2005 09:40 AM
I can only laugh! The type of comments and venom a simple blog that was highly accurate could create. Let me educate the obvious undereducated population that repsponded negatively to John making comments about decor and personalities at Cole Farms. The decor and people who go to a restaurant are just as important as the food... period. It's part of what makes a diner a diner and Bandol simply Bandol. A good reviever needs to tell you that info based on HIS opinions as many diners like me want to know. If I have friends in town that like a "swanky" hip place i want to know where to find one. Maybe they wouldn't be happy with a "down home" new england type environment. The food is only a part of the equation when eating out. You must realize that the food is multiplied several times what is cost the restuarant to get. Thus, why wouldn't you want to know everything including are the bathrooms clean! Read Zagats, Ny times, boston globe reviews they are 10X more harsh than John on a neg review. Some of the people here are really sophomoric and insecure about certain establishments. Certainly, by reading the review I thought is was completely honest. It shouldn't of offended anyone. This is a blog not a democratic tatic to be politically correct. So there were a bunch of fat people when he happened to go in. SO WHAT! Go into to Burger King, do you see many track and field stars there?? He's not trying to offend he's just mentioning what he saw that day big deal. He doesn't know the people and i'm sure it was light-hearted when mentioned. Lawsuits? c'om what are you going to charge him with? saying a obese person is obese or saying a place with below avg. food is below avg. Get real.. click on taste and tell and your world will be right again. until that time reeducate yourself on what a real food critic is. keep up the good work John
Posted by
nickApril 8, 2005 03:06 PM
Wow! Where have I been all weekend?
I've said before that I don't always agree with John, but I do love reading these reviews. And I always keep in mind that they are one person's opinion, which makes them neither wrong nor right.
I can't believe someone who disagreed would bother to get so worked up about it. And I hate to think that a bunch of people who can't appreciate the difference between fact and opinion would have the ability to sensor great writing.
Aren't there more important things in the world to worry about?
And about my Ben Ash experience, it's too long to divulge here, but we did have to call the actual police due to the unlawful behavior of our waiter. I don't recommend that particular diner, and I've never met anyone who disagreed with me, but I'm sure there are some people in the world who think it's just swell!
~Jes
Posted by MJH
April 11, 2005 12:51 PM
The obvious uneducated, as oppossed to undereducated, poster on this site is Nick - you hit the nail on the head, its a blog, people can write whatever they want, just because their opinions are different from your own - or john golden's does not make them 'sophmoric and insecure' - the only one coming off on this blog as insecure if yourself, otherwise you wouldnt be putting people down for having an opinion that is not shared by yourself. That is the purpose of a blog - maybe you should reeducate yourself to that. Otherwise, go get yourself a nice one sided zagat and read it to your heart's content - it may benefit you more than a blog to not have to read anyone else's opinion except the professional critics.
Posted by Mocha
April 12, 2005 05:44 PM
ps, John, I think any local forum like this one that stimulates a response from so many readers is a successful one, keep up the good work. In the future whether I agree or disagree with your opinions, I look forward to reading them.
Posted by mocha
April 12, 2005 06:03 PM
Mocha, although this topic is now entirely tiresome I have to respond the "constructive critisism" you have given me. You are correct people can and should write what they want. However, when someone mentions lawsuits and other items it gets to the point of being ridiculous. It's not opininons (even if they disagree with my own) that are irritating it's personal attacks some make. Also, just because you CAN say certain things doen't mean you necessarily do blog or not. You obviously misread or didn't understand my above points, but I think we agree in essence of what this blog should be, I just wish we could eliminate the personal attacks. Also, for your knowledge the Zagats survey is actully restuarants voted on by readers whose quotes are in the book. The editors don't rate those surveyed do. Thus, you actully get several thousand opinions from people like you and I without any critic input. It's great when traveling to larger cities. anyway I hop this clarifies things for you
Posted by
nickApril 12, 2005 09:10 PM
It's too late at night for me to really think about all this. And I've just come back from a stomach extending dinner at Bubaboos(sp). But I tend to agree with Nick completely and I h ave to reread your thoughts, MOcha, a few times. But thank you all for such thought inducing comments.
Posted by
John GoldenApril 12, 2005 09:11 PM
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