Comments on: Marketman’s Musings on Trip Advisor Ratings…

By: Rona Y

Rona Y — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 00:17:15 +0000

The problem with TripAdvisor is that most of the ratings come from overseas visitors, many of whom have a very limited frame of reference re: Japanese food. Most are impressed by names rather than the actual product.

That being said, on Tabelog (the Japanese version of Yelp), the Ginza branch rates a 4.09 while the Roppongi branch rates 3.52, barely half a point difference. But if you look at rankings of Tokyo sushi restaurants, the Ginza branch is 21st and Roppongi is 216th–that’s a much bigger difference (there are about 30 restaurants with a 3.52 rating, though, and Jiro Roppongi is 9th of those–not sure why it’s placed there).

I’ve learned to discount star ratings, and just read reviews. Sometimes restaurants will get 1 star, but it will be because of something stupid, like the guest felt the server wasn’t subservient enough.

Just as with reviewing food, one must review reviews with a critical eye (which was your point, I know!)

By: James

James — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 02:15:31 +0000

I haven’t tried Zubuchon yet but would def do so when I get over to Cebu. A few observations:

When a restaurant is new people are excited to try it. It’s the talk of the town and ratings are high. But after a couple of years you’re no longer the exicting cool new kid on the block, a lot of people have already went there for a special occasion but don’t go back. It happens in my local area.

A restaurant that has been going a couple of years must keep its standards high. Unless you have a great manager on the ground little things can start slipping like attention to detail, customer service, safe storage of produce etc.. Kitchen and front-of-house staff must always be on their toes and not get lazy.

Your comment about people not complaining… A lot of people don’t want to rock the boat and cause what potentially may be a confrontation. It’s a lot easier to go home, tell their friends about their negative experience and write a review on Tripadvisor.

I think holistically Tripadvisor views give a pretty good indication of quality but personal preference will always play a part – and some people just like to whinge.

By: Kimmie

Kimmie — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 16:31:09 +0000

Great article. I also peruse the trip advisor website when booking hotel rooms. I always click on the room pictures just to see what the rooms really look like as opposed to the polished photos posted on the hotel’s website. It gives me a better idea if I will like it or not. But you’re right, trip advisor should just be a starting point when researching a place, ultimately the experience of one is just that. But on another note, good job for Zubu!!!!

By: Betchay

Betchay — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 05:56:41 +0000

For hotel reviews I check on tripadvisor but I do not believe every review since I find some of the reviewers are just too demanding. I use my gut feel and I am easy to please :)
Maintaining your present 4 star rating is very good!

By: ami

ami — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 03:10:33 +0000

Maybe it’s the pinoy’s penchant for trying out restaurants that are new hence why Zubuchon has slipped down the ratings thru the years. Pinoys would more likely write a review, tweet about or instagram a new restaurant so that they can tell others how uso they are.

By: jay p

jay p — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 02:28:34 +0000

i’m being selfish, but im glad your getting not so great reviews.

this only means there is a better chance for me to get a table!

here’s an interesting read on lousy customers (some of which give lousy reviews as well).

i’m sure you will find it entertaining. a better takeaway (which im sure you know by now) is that you can’t please everyone so you just brush it off and laugh.

https://kitchenette.jezebel.com/more-of-the-most-horrible-restaurant-customers-ever-1667889459

By: Ana

Ana — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 16:42:13 +0000

I always check out tripadvisor for hotel reviews. but just because there are bad reviews doesn’t mean i’ll get turned off. you do need to balance it out as it’s impossible to please everyone. as with the restaurant reviews, i would rather check out the local food bloggers or time out than TA. i definitely don’t choose a restaurant just because they have the Trip Advisor sticker on the door.

By: EJ

EJ — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 13:48:22 +0000

I agree with you, MM. Trip Advisor’s top ten Amsterdam restaurants list includes cafes, snack bars and even a fish shop, of which I know only two. There’s one Michelin-starred resto in the top ten but it sticks out like a sore thumb.

By: Marketman

Marketman — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 12:54:42 +0000

Rona Y, thanks for that correction, my error. But it’s interesting that the original in the Ginza is rated 4.5 stars, just half a star more than the son’s restaurant in Roppongi hills… so there’s not much differentiation in Trip Advisor for those two restaurants.

By: Rona Y

Rona Y — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 12:35:58 +0000

Just a clarification, Sukiyabashi Jiro Roppongi Hills is NOT the inspiration for Jiro Dreams of Sushi, but the original in Ginza is. The Roppongi Hills “branch” is operated by Jiro’s son, and at least in Japan, it’s considered greatly inferior to the original (which is considered over-rated by many).

I do agree that one should look at online reviews (on TripAdvisor, but also other websites) with a critical eye. I always read a sampling of the worst and middling reviews before reading some of the better ones. I also look at how business owners/employees respond to reviews, as there are always different sides to the same story.