Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Everyone's a critic

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  • Russell Brown,

    Splendid idea

    I feel obliged to dissociate myself from this splendid idea.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I suppose I might as well say that the restaurant I had a harsh tweet for was Clooney, where I went last year with a pre-booked group from a social media seminar I was speaking at the next day.

    I inadvertently chose a microscopic salmon entree, and I'd been there for nearly three hours, eventually stopping the waiters from re-filling my wine glass, by the time the mains arrived. We'd emphasised that we really needed to get away early (there were people who'd travelled from Australia that day, and we had a very early start the next) and I was really pissed off by the time we were done.

    I mentioned it as MC of the seminar next day -- as an example of Twitter reviewing -- and one of Tony Stewart's friends was there. So I got an email from Tony, whose apology was undone by the subtext that it was our fault.

    He said the group had arrived an hour late (completely untrue) and noted the the group was bigger than that originally booked (well, yes, but the restaurant wasn't at all busy -- would it all have turned to crap anyway if a group of six walked in off the street?).

    He offered a complimentary meal, which I declined because I hadn't paid for the first one and it seemed wrong. But also because he'd been a bit of a dick about it.

    All he needed to do was say, "sorry, we had some some problems in the kitchen that night."

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Robbie Siataga,

    Isn't the criteria supposed to be purely on musical merit not the say so of mercenary industry consultants with vested interests ?

    Arrrggh! No! For better or worse, that's precisely not what the Act says.

    I said musical merit as it fits the format of the broadcaster not artistic merit as though adding cultural value. And i'm not talking abou the act. I'm talking about the selection process for funding, to which a few tastemakers decide for the rest of us.

    So that quote in context relates to Mark Kneebones lobbying directly in NZoA's ear as...

    Isaac Promotions music marketing company has been going since 2003. We do a lot of promo, publicity, project management, marketing, distribution. We work with a lot of new and established kiwi acts. It’s a big part of our business and a big part of that is we liaise with NZ On Air on behalf of our clients. It’s a unique situation in that we apply and process stuff on their behalf because it makes it far more manageable. We’ll be working with five bands as opposed to a manager who has only got one. We have a really close working relationship with NZ ON Air, have done since 2003. We work closely with Brendan and David on the domestic side for videos, new recording and also album grants, but also work closely with Mike McClung on the international stuff as well

    so is Isaac a limited liability company or a paid consultant to NZoA ? And why does he have access to privileged information as witnessed by the meeting about the court case which prevents NZo A from doing an internal review ? Was IMNZ represented ?

    Fuck that dodgy back room old boy shit. Any review needs to be independent, open and transparent and any re vamped system to come out of it needs a new head that isn't subservient to his relationships to others within the existing industry...ie the backroom boys .

    So what's the deal with the court case mentioned and why is it taking so long for the report to come out. Whos's stalling and why ?

    Since Feb 2010 • 259 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Wilson,

    David Herkt, hmmm. Let's be clear. what we try to do with our Best Restaurants exercise is identify those places that we think are the best at what they do, given that what they do is worth doing in the first place.

    Don't like noisy restaurants, David? Don't like low lighting? Don't go to SPQR. We've told people what it's like and we've identified plenty of other places you would probably like instead. Noise and lighting are not usually related to quality, merely matters of personal preference. Are you really arguing that we should all have to accept just one set of personal preferences? And that it should be yours?

    Since Mar 2007 • 9 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    so is Isaac a limited liability company or a paid consultant to NZoA ?

    The former.

    And why does he have access to privileged information as witnessed by the meeting about the court case which prevents NZo A from doing an internal review ? Was IMNZ represented ?

    I would be astonished if IMNZ wasn't represented.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Don't like noisy restaurants, David? Don't like low lighting? Don't go to SPQR. We've told people what it's like and we've identified plenty of other places you would probably like instead. Noise and lighting are not usually related to quality, merely matters of personal preference. Are you really arguing that we should all have to accept just one set of personal preferences? And that it should be yours?

    Er... I'm pretty sure that the crux of David's complaint was about the quality of the food. Right there where it says that it "is really really average".

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Home(opathic) cooking...?

    He offered a complementary meal...

    ...and what would complement that treatment?
    Humble pie?
    Crow?
    and ya woulda got the complimentary one free, too!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Ian, you have busted me. I am flubbergusted.

    I will actually have to change that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew C,

    I suppose I might as well say that the restaurant I had a harsh tweet for was Clooney,

    Had a similar experience there Russell, and after questioning pals later they too had had similar outcomes. Looks like they have trouble handling the volumes they get.

    Enjoy the Grove, it definitely makes it into our list of top restaurants we have eaten at. If you have the time and budget their degestation is worth consideration. Quick tip: in our experience their wine suggestions seem to lean towards whatever it is they happen to have open... I would suggest asking for a taster first, which they are quite happy to do, before accepting their recommendation.

    Auckland • Since May 2008 • 169 posts Report Reply

  • andin,

    Auckland does ................ lower end food extraordinarily well.

    These establishments are where I choose to dine.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    LOL good to hear I'm not the first person to have a shitty experience of Delicious. Mine was so bad, so offensive, that I will never go back, even if they're under new management.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    FWIW, I haven't eaten there a lot, but I can't recall actually being disappointed with a meal at SPQR. The food's not bad, although I guess it's not the reason one would choose SPQR.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    The dining womb...?

    If you have the time and budget their degestation is worth consideration.

    degestation? - sounds like they do child sacrifice!
    this ain't Bohemian Grove is it?

    and apparently Delicious did de-guestation!
    and Monsoon Poon did guessed Asian...
    and the Headless (unfried) Chooks did
    de Gas (krankin) Station...

    Auckland sounds just... weird!

    down here in Chch at fine places
    like, say, the Bodhi Tree we
    degust, digest and discuss...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    and the Headless (unfried) Chooks did
    de Gas (krankin) Station...

    Ralph! No, I kept it down, because it was delirious.

    SPQR has provided the backdrop for some of my best nighties out. It strikes me as a bit like Prego (I'm just feeding the ChaCha). It's sort of always been there, and I like it. Take plenty of refluxed friends, thin crust piazzas, mix libelly, and you'll have a wail of a time.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    Russell - not sure if it is the right time to be promoting JB Hi-Fi as there is a bit of industrial action going on there.
    From the Living Wage FB page.

    "Please spread the word and support these young JB Hi Fi Workers- their greedy CEO pays himself over NZ$5million, but he won't give workers 50 cents on their pay. Invite all your friends to the event, and to join the Campaign for a Living Wage group!".

    Event: JB LO PAY- Solidarity Rally!
    Start Time: Saturday, May 8 at 1:00pm
    End Time: Saturday, May 8 at 2:00pm
    Where: Jb Hi Fi Store, Queen Street- Saturday May 8th 1pm

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    David, you got it in one. The core distinction between Auckland and Wellington is that in Wellington, rich people skulk, while in Auckland, they swagger.

    I think Simon wouldn't know a subtext if it got out of a late model Audi and air-kissed him on both cheeks....

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • David Herkt,

    David Herkt, hmmm.

    Simon Wilson, hmm, yourself.

    Let's be clear. what we try to do with our Best Restaurants exercise is identify those places that we think are the best at what they do, given that what they do is worth doing in the first place.

    No. You don't. What you are trying to do is to be an arbiter of taste which is quite different. You are aiming for, in modern parlance, an aspirational audience.

    I'm not sure I enjoy your particular aspirations.

    Now don't get me wrong. I really enjoy food. We eat extraordinarily well. I own a billion cookbooks. I like eating out. I live with someone who cooks professionally. I just don't think Metro is a good record of what people like to eat and where they want to eat.

    I think your reviews are tainted by the same bizarre wanna-be-isms that I find frequently so unwholesome about the whole spectacle of Auckland. As I said, you've set yourselves up as arbiters of taste and I quarrel with the presumption.

    You guys give, generally, Wanker Aucklanders extra meaning.

    Don't like noisy restaurants, David? Don't like low lighting? Don't go to SPQR. We've told people what it's like and we've identified plenty of other places you would probably like instead. Noise and lighting are not usually related to quality, merely matters of personal preference.


    Yep, I actually like SPQR for what it is. I've paid for many tens of meals there. I presume your reviewers still don't pay? I like SPQR. But I do not think it is a good or great restuarant. It is an equivalent to McDonalds for overpaid people who live in Ponsonby. It is convenient. That is all.


    Are you really arguing that we should all have to accept just one set of personal preferences? And that it should be yours?

    No. but you all and Metro are claiming it should be yours.

    Auckland • Since Sep 2007 • 53 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    The Prawnies are off...

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Stupid,

    Re: Delicious, I unsuccessfully tried to post this review on DineOut back in late January, (I believe Mr Chunn was already the owner by then).

    What?! $29 for a pasta dish, and extra for salad. This is suburban café fare, not Ponsonby fine dining! Delicious has an arrogance problem. The waiter and the guy on the till are just plain rude. Not once did we receive any warmth, just smirking rudeness! We were informed that the licence finished at 9PM so we should order now if we want another drink. Excuse me? What kind of licence is that? Pathetic! $29 for a main but you can only order drinks before 9PM! Sheesh. So after ordering another glass in advance, 20 mins later it still hadn't arrived. A terse apology was given, after lying that he was waiting for me to finish my glass. I told the waiter, I finished ages ago, then he changed his tune to, Oh, it slipped my mind. So why lie then? When leaving the guy at the till asked if everything was OK? I replied that in fact I found the dish to be over-sized and over-priced. He looked at me with a tight smirk on his face as if to imply, "What the f*ck would you know?" I have to say that unless the Delicious crew get their heads out of their asses, they will go under. I will certainly not recommend that place to anyone, nor will my shadow darken their door frame again. Ever! Terrible place.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 75 posts Report Reply

  • Stupid,

    Basil and Sybil have moved on
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10634032

    Heh heh "Grouchos" - ROFL !!!

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 75 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    it got out of a late model Audi and air-kissed him on both cheeks....

    Chortle. I mis-read the central part of that sentence, yet it still made perfect sense in the context of Mr Herkt's observations.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Zach Bagnall,

    Gosh. I never had a bad meal or service at Delicious (plus they even have my favourite beer by the bottle). And that was 2+ years ago. Apparently I missed the fireworks.

    Colorado • Since Nov 2006 • 121 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    LOL David. I too am outraged at the commodification of dining out. They should just give me the food for free.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Andre Alessi,

    As someone who spent close to a decade working in Auckland hospitality in one form or another, I never could quite see Metro's best restaurants edition as, well, quite what it said on the tin. It always seemed like restaurants were included because enough people had heard of them, while genuine gems were only occasionally picked up by the odd lucky/adventurous soul.

    (On a slight tangent, I was once working in a tiny French cafe/bistro in Remuera that was featured in a 3 page article in Cuisine one month. The day after it hit the stands we had a line out the door-even though the article was about our fine evening dining, not the rather pedestrian cafe food during the day.)

    Nevertheless, I like that Metro maintains a tradition of talking about our restaurants to such a degree each year and with such seriousness, and that people see the best restaurants edition as being something to talk about. There aren't many other non-sport related activities we as New Zealanders (and particularly as Aucklanders) can talk about with so little evident cultural cringe.

    So while I may not agree with the specifics of the awards given most years, I'm happy that we have them to such an obsessive degree, and I usually manage to discover one or two unknown-to-me treasures each year, which is worth the cover price in and of itself.

    But of course, I'll quite happily keep my Sigdi and Tadka quiet, thank you. I like not having to book ahead. :)

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report Reply

  • Robbie Siataga,

    so is Isaac a limited liability company or a paid consultant to NZoA ?

    The former.

    and you're cool with this guy and his company having a...

    really close working relationship with NZ ON Air, have done since 2003. We work closely with Brendan and David on the domestic side for videos, new recording and also album grants, but also work closely with Mike McClung on the international stuff as well

    it sits well with you that a profit driven 'music marketing company' representing artists which isn't exactly a management company nor a record label has

    a unique situation in that we apply and process stuff on their (artists) behalf because it makes it far more manageable. We’ll be working with five bands as opposed to a manager who has only got one.

    which essentially means...a special position in the supposedly unbiased ear of the funding body, to lobby on his own behalf as "Isaac", and his own record label, "Tardus", as distributed subsidiaries of Universal music.

    http://www.umusic.co.nz/

    oh hang on...so what is Isaac again and who is this guy ?

    why does he have access to privileged information as witnessed by the meeting about the court case which prevents NZo A from doing an internal review ? Was IMNZ represented ?

    I would be astonished if IMNZ wasn't represented.

    of course you knew he is the chair of Independent Music NZ and sits on the Music Commission board as well.

    http://nzmusic.org.nz/about/

    It would have been nice to also put his other hats up for show in that interview. Don't you think ?

    Sounds like not so much a conflict of interest but a rather fortuitous congruence of interests. Nice work if you can get it.

    Politics eh ? why bother with paid consultancy when you can 'clip the ticket'.

    Honestly Russell. Is this the place to be getting so deep into the rabbit hole and how far do you want to go ? And If not here then where ?

    It's obvious you believe the net is the future for NZoA, so does Mark Kneebone when he name checks you, even though he thinks you're initial 2007 report is past it's use by date and doesnt agree with half of it anyay...something personal there ?

    By the way, what happened to the report you did with Andrew Dubber ? Is it something to be updated and made more relevant given the on line changes since ?

    So should i be interviewing you independently on the side for my blog and asking questions like the above ?...and more such as, do you think blogs, twitter, facebook groups etc and the like are an effective means for influencing and forcing change in established institutions or is it just easily dismissable, self promotional pissing in the wind ?

    Since Feb 2010 • 259 posts Report Reply

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