The Devonshire has been praised so enthusiastic, and for so long, that criticism feels almost impolite. After dinner in the Grill Room, I found myself thinking less about the food and more about what happens when consensus becomes accepted truth.
If I had to go back again, I would probably stick around the starters and small plates and just eat those and maybe one of the steaks. Alternatively, I would probably just have the Bar snacks downstairs in the pub.
This is a superb piece of proper writing; thanks for sharing! There's a lot of 'reputation inertia' at the moment, especially in Dubai. As for The Devonshire, it's never really been appealing to me but I get why it is for others.
Hard agree on Dubai, for sure. We could probably compare notes. I find myself having to say ‘guys, this place is not as great as you are making it out to be’ on a few pieces these days, which says more about the culture than it does about the venue.
haha, and notes we shall compare as I suspect we agree on much. Is this (the hype) because of the reverse effect of not wanting to libel / slander anyone? Trying so hard to be positive, or an awareness that a well-balanced, sensible view does not gain as many clicks, views, or hits than a splash of hyperbole?
With my own writing, I try and dip into hyperbole where warranted, but regular readers have to infer slightly to detect that my warmth is more warning than encouragement of a venue. It's a tricky little minefield right now, not helped b y tightening of licenses and regulations.
I will keep pitching it until I die... I want one of the major publications to let me write about venues 12 months after opening, but visiting anonymously on a Wednesday night. That tells you everything about a venue. For example, recent venues that do not take reservations in difficult to park locations, with little else to do while waiting, will always drop off their footfall and revenue. How do I know this? they keep coming to the APEX doorstep to find out why customers like their concept but return sporadically, and recommend even less.
This is on my list. I’ll still try and grab a table, but with pared down ecxpectations. Thanks
If I had to go back again, I would probably stick around the starters and small plates and just eat those and maybe one of the steaks. Alternatively, I would probably just have the Bar snacks downstairs in the pub.
This is a superb piece of proper writing; thanks for sharing! There's a lot of 'reputation inertia' at the moment, especially in Dubai. As for The Devonshire, it's never really been appealing to me but I get why it is for others.
Hard agree on Dubai, for sure. We could probably compare notes. I find myself having to say ‘guys, this place is not as great as you are making it out to be’ on a few pieces these days, which says more about the culture than it does about the venue.
haha, and notes we shall compare as I suspect we agree on much. Is this (the hype) because of the reverse effect of not wanting to libel / slander anyone? Trying so hard to be positive, or an awareness that a well-balanced, sensible view does not gain as many clicks, views, or hits than a splash of hyperbole?
With my own writing, I try and dip into hyperbole where warranted, but regular readers have to infer slightly to detect that my warmth is more warning than encouragement of a venue. It's a tricky little minefield right now, not helped b y tightening of licenses and regulations.
I will keep pitching it until I die... I want one of the major publications to let me write about venues 12 months after opening, but visiting anonymously on a Wednesday night. That tells you everything about a venue. For example, recent venues that do not take reservations in difficult to park locations, with little else to do while waiting, will always drop off their footfall and revenue. How do I know this? they keep coming to the APEX doorstep to find out why customers like their concept but return sporadically, and recommend even less.
This was on my go to list but maybe I should move it over to my “maybe one day”.
I think The Devonshire is fine. It just not this seismic page that people make it out to be like “Before The Devonshire” and “After The Devonshire”.
I really appreciate an honest review of restaurants, this was great
Thank you very much, Larissa! I try my best