Ed Bailey Is Not A Leslie Brenner Fan
DMN restaurant scribe Leslie Brenner may have ripped his Bailey’s Prime Plus Steakhouse in Cedar Hill recently, calling the food and the decor both “cheesy” and awarding the joint just one star (out of five). But restaurateur Ed Bailey (pictured) claims he wasn’t fazed by the review at all; in fact, he says, he didn’t even read it. “She wanted to make us look terrible–and her look good,” Bailey said last night, greeting ‘09 Cattle Baron’s guests at his new Bailey’s location in the Park Lane development. According to his friends who read it Brenner’s review was also full of inaccuracies, he said, adding that in the end he doesn’t really care, because nobody takes Brenner–or The News–seriously these days, anyway. Back to you, Nancy.
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25 comments
I found it disingenuous, when after lengthy defense of their star system a “foodie” professor of journalism was allowed to submit a critique of Zinsky’s. 3 stars? I went there that evening based on the recommendation – all I can say is the beef brisket was very moist and tender – and still tasted like the plastic bag it had been cooked in. I guess at $9.79 what do you expect? Just not 3 stars.
Leslie Brenner’s the best thing to happen to Dallas restaurants in a long time. Yes, she sets the bar high. Yes, she’s picky. And yes, she’s willing to gore sacred cows in Dallas restaurant-ville. Some will find those facts threatening, but readers will benefit, and chefs who want to meet high standards (see, e.g., Abraham Salum) will welcome the challenge. This town could more Salums and substantially fewer Baileys.
I find Leslie Brenner’s review very informative and spot on. She pulls no punches which is unique for Dallas and refreshing. It is about time the Dallas restaurant scene have a critic who has the same expectations as a critic in New York, LA, or Chicago. Keep it up Leslie–your fan club is growing.
Lesley who?
I have enjoyed Leslie Brenner’s reviews immensely since she arrived. She and I have similar tastes.
It didn’t keep him from running a full page ad in the DMN Guide.
And what exactly did you expect from the (formerly) largest McDonald’s franchisee in North Texas? A Happy Meal, perhaps?
Bailey’s lucky she didn’t mention what he did to Patrizio’s.
I’m no fan of Leslie’s or the DMN, but Bailey is the worst thing to happen to restaurants in Dallas ever. Other than the fancy McDonalds, that is. I sure miss Patrizio’s…
The higher the price, the tougher the judging.
I’ve never been to Bailey’s, but Leslie Brenner needs to get out of town. She doesn’t understand Texas and thinks we all want to eat organically prepared tofu; her criteria for reviews is what appeals to her California left-wing organic sensibilities, not what is a good restaurant in its own right or is what Texas diners want. I have read most of her reviews and the result is that the DMN is no longer a source I trust for dining recommendations.
Totally agree with Mike. Ed Bailey is an abomination to fine food. If you know him personally, you know how repulsive he is. But if you’ve ever been to BP or Patrizios, you also know he knows nothing about food or owning/operating an upscale restaurant. Bailey’s only chance for a good local food review now is to woo Nancy. And I don’t think she’s too woo-able (although she did apparently liked Bailey’s onion rings).
Anytime someone says “I don’t review reviews,” they lie. Every restaurateur reads reviews. If they don’t, they should. Feedback, whether you agree or disagree with the opinion, is valuable. Brenner is tough but I like it.
I meant “read reviews.”
Funny. I live in Cedar Hill and we’ve been to Bailey’s Prime several times for special occasions. Enjoyed it every time.
The food is overpriced, overcooked, and sub-par for its intentions.
Leslie is the ONLY reason I read the DMN lately. Her reviews actually, GASP, talk about food…rather than most “critics” who just tell me how many “local celebrities” they saw at some overpriced new joint…
What’s funny about that, Jody? Cedar Hill isn’t exactly a mecca for good food anyway.
I like steak.
I’d love to see restaurant owners and head chefs review each others’ work. I think that would be fun.
I’ve really enjoyed what Leslie’s been doing. When her piece on the state of the Dallas food scene came out, my immediate thought was, what would change in this city if the DMN ran that level of analysis and critique throughout its entire paper every day, from local politics down to neighborhood planning? What a sea change that would make in the level of rhetoric in this town.
I also really agree with the commenter who said it’s good for Dallas to stop being so defensive with its sacred cows. Get over it – many of your restaurants are simply not good. Not everything is better in Texas. Everyone can stand to learn from other places.
Hahahahaha, didn’t I see most of you waiting for over an hour at Houston’s?
Not everyone dislikes the new Bailey’s. Did you see the brief review of the new Bailey’s on EscapeHatchDallas.com?
Glenn, in the interest of presenting both sides of the story, accuracy is tremendously important to us at The Dallas Morning News. As I conveyed to Mr. Bailey’s people just after my review was published, if there were indeed any errors or inaccuracies in the review, they should let us know and we’d move quickly to correct them. We never heard back from them.
“..in fact, he says, he didn’t even read it”.
That’s as disingenuous as it gets. Even if he didn’t technically read it, are we supposed to believe not one of his people told him about the review or its conclusions?
EVERY restaurant owner reads review. I’m no Brenner defender, but, for the most parts, critics are also paying customers. Listening to paying customers is part of one’s job as a restaurant operator. Ignoring customers’ comments only supports the notions that (1) one know diddly about operating a restaurant and (2) one could give a flying you-know-what. Neither makes me want to give him any of my dining dollars, at any of his venues.