Thinking about submitting this to our local paper

[cookie_chef]

First, thanks to everybody for their sweet feedback here. Keep in mind, as you read the next piece, I now live in a rinky-dink little country town, currently without a critic. We all know how my last crash and burn went with the Raleigh paper. Of course they have the esteemed Greg Cox (current critic) and Andrea Weigl (contributes regularly to

Comments

[kookamess]

I say you should drop "shmear" entirely. It's one of those things where if you don't know how to spell it you probably shouldn't use it. Just use your own voice and own words to describe the experience. That's my only criticism because it is an excellent review of Brueggers. I really think that more chain places should be reviewed because depending on the management and employees they are all different!

[cookie_chef]

I know there is smear but I was thinking (perhaps wrongly) that shmear or schmear might add a fun Bronx twang to it. (Forgive me NYers). Thanks for your feedback, and yes, there are some that are worthy of some good press. I guess my idea is that I see so many reviewers doing Michelin-starred or outrageously priced restaurants that the Average Joe could never afford. My goal would be to review places that those of us on a more modest income can enjoy.

[kookamess]

I was raised by New Yorkers and my whole extended family is in NY and when people use words like that it rubs them the wrong way.

I don't know if you venture my way at all but Carpe Durham is a fan run Durham food blog that is always looking for submissions. I know they sometimes get asked to write for other venues as well.

[cookie_chef]

Good to know. So maybe I could smear instead or substitute another word. And thanks for giving me a heads up on Carpe Durham.

[couchtiger]

I have always seen and written "schmear" and I'm from NY.

Love me some Breuggers.

[cookie_chef]

I'm relieved. I am a born-and-bred Southern girl and I have a few New Yorkers on my f-list. I know people are pretty fierce about their bagels, so it's nice to hear that you like them too.

[magenta_girl]

I like the review. Here are my suggestions:

I think it should be "there are many WHO", not "that."

And the thing that rubs me wrong about the cream cheese schmear section is the passive voice, so I would say "You can choose from a number of cream cheese schmears [or options if you want to stay away from this word. :)], or have the staff assemble a breakfast sandwich for you instead." I wouldn't substitute smear for schmear.

[cookie_chef]

Thank you and noted.

[adiasplat]

I don't care for schmear at all. It's not your voice -- it sounds forced, like you're trying too hard and like you're uncomfortable with it yourself. I thought the whole thing flowed very nicely right up until that word and then you lost me. I'd leave it out/sub another word that fits your voice better.

[cookie_chef]

Thanks for the feedback.

[cookie_chef]

Thank you for the feedback.

[fairouz]

Ok, my opinion is that this is not written from a neutral point of view. It is unwaveringly positive and it's unusual for a restaurant to do everything well. I also think it is more helpful when critics order a number of different things and describe what is good and what isn't good and why. I found this overly flowery

[cookie_chef]

No, it isn't offensive in the least. That's why I posted it. To get honest feedback. And yes, I do love Breugger's, so it is slanted. I haven't found anything I dislike there. I've not tried their soups, so this is a valid point, nor did I make more than a mention of their salads. The review is geared toward the bagels and little else. You're absolutely right