Jeez, the Laban haters will say whatever they have to in order to rationalize their hatred. No matter what he does, he can’t win with you can he?

He saw a lot of potential but couldn’t pull the trigger on three bells. He did that just to keep things fresh?

He may just be laying the ground work for giving it 4 bells later on.

I agree that this may be the prelude to a 4-bell review in 2012. LaBan himself says as much in the review.
Imagine the outcry if he had given them 4 bells out of the gate? Now he can point to this initial review as an example of just how fair he really is.
Crafty.

The theory presupposes Laban lurks on Philadelphia food sites, reads the comments, and cares what they say.

So I’m going to go with no to all of those and guess he didn’t like he was getting.

I am, after all, a commentor on the internet.

Two bells hardly means “skip it.”

2 bells is good, and what it deserved. It was an accurate review

I’m not sure if @Snake was being facetious, but basing our dining choices on one reviewers opinion is a problem that’s gone on far too long in Philly. With our culinary identity ramping up quickly as a national presence, it becomes more important than ever to read multiple critics opinions to get a well-rounded view of our food scene. I believe the Craiger would agree with that sentiment, too.

I have enjoyed most everything I’ve eaten thus far at Talula’s Garden. I am a shill for the Sweet Pea Veloute, and thought the chicken, of all things, was splendid. Prices are a bit high, but I didn’t expect anything less.

While LaBan is always thorough and ridiculously knowledgeable, his opinion is still subjective. Cooking is art, and we don’t all like the same stuff. If you look at his review, LaBan has issues with “overly precious” food, not flavorless and dangerously undercooked fowl. His high expectations weren’t met, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad food.

We are willing to go toe-to-toe with one another over the best burgers, chicken, and pizza in the city, but we shy away from admitting love for “white collar” places that don’t meet the Three Bell Approval. Trust your tastebuds with the grapefruit reduction on that goat the same as you would a pepperoni slice from Mack and Manco’s. What you like is what you like.

We’ve got great critics and writers here in town (you know who they are) and have had a few folks who have moved on that we miss (Nichols, Joy Manning, Dave Snyder) that didn’t always agree with one other. And that’s what makes Philly such a great food town: passionate people who love to eat.

Alex, with respect to Catahoula/Garden, the component your missing is value.

Yes, the food I eat at Talula’s Garden may be, objectively, of better quality than what I could have at 3-bell John’s Roast Pork, but I’ve also spent 10x doing so. So actually, I appreciate that Laban does it the way he does given the constraint of a 4 star system. I want to know what the BEST cheesesteak/roast pork shop is and John’s 3 bell helps me with that, whereas Talula’s is not the best fine dining place in the city even if the food is nice.

PS – obviously when I use the term best, it’s all in Laban’s view, so no need to quibble with the actual names, the point about value remains the same.

My tip envelope was a little light this time Aimee. Next visit let Stephen fill it.

as much as it pains me, i have to give props to leban and his balls. he called it like it is. anyone with a discerning eye (and tongue) could see what is happening there, and he nailed it. the softening blows at the end of the article are what I despise leban for–the tethered emotion he brings to reviews. i understand the human part, and its hard not to like what they are trying to do there, but, c’mon, bro, whats with the practical boot strapping at the end?? who gives a fuck what you think they are trying to do, or, better yet, what you think they are capable of?? what are you, their coach? they id’d you every time, have every corporate dude there for your entire meal, soigneed every bit of salt and acid they forgot to use, and they still fucked it up. because it wasnt that great to begin with. i still like the place, though.