Comments

1
Totally fair.
2
"People-Watching" is such a BIG part of going out to eat, and is entirely a part any restaurant experience. I love the crap outta some food, but I love the fudge outta some people-watching when I go out.
3
It depends, to me, on what you're actually trying to review: the food or the restaurant itself. If you're trying to explain the food, the people aren't that much of a concern. Alternatively, the type of people at a place is crucially important when discussing the restaurant, i.e. I wouldn't ever want to go to this Irving St. place now that you've mentioned the glossed out hordes.
4
Absolutely fair game.

The clientele, especially in busy establishments, is a big part of the atmosphere of a restaurant and usually affects the service.

For instance, I like a lot of things about Hungry Tiger Too, but I avoid it like a plague on the dollar-corndog-and-PBR night.

Sometimes I even get into funny exchanges with bartenders and servers about the typical clientele they serve (and at one point had a bartender compliment my patronage--and how it contrasts that of so many other customers--to a companion of mine after I had left).

It's part of the experience you'll get at a restaurant, and it's therefore relevant to a review.
5
Wow, I really hear you on Oregonmetry. I really enjoy Hungry Tiger, Too. But I can't really do the corn dog night anymore (though I'm more than happy to go on the less popular buffalo wing night).
6
I can't go to the Pearl and not notice the people. The place is conspicuous. I don't go much.
7
I would even go so far as to say it is important to mention the clientele. The primary purpose of food reviews—for most of us—is to decide where we want to eat. The atmosphere of a restaurant/bar, whether it's the decor or staff or patrons, is a crucial to that decision making.

But like all things, accurate and fair descriptions are better than judgements. Some people want a meat market and some want a trashy riot and some want the comforts of home.

Plus, owners have a lot of control over the clientele they get. They shape price points, look, music, marketing.
8
I think the crowd is more important than the service in terms of "do I want to eat there?". Although it matters far more in a bar than an all-seated restaurant setting (one of the reasons I never go to the cougar farm that is Portland City Grill).
9
Agree with Blabby. If it's in the Pearl, I'm already avoiding it.

I also like the entertainment value of commenting on a restaurant's clientele, but I don't think it's fair to the restaurant to judge it's food based on your perceived suitability of their customers, unless they're actively doing something to foster a certain kind of customer (something beyond simply where they've decided to place their restaurant).
10
Restauranteurs have a solid idea of who they want to patronize their place. Restauranteurs in The Pearl have an even greater idea of their clientele, and hence shape their establishment accordingly.
11
Saying that restaurateurs can "sculpt" their clientele is almost comical. I think what's more interesting is how people are calling The Pearl people "shallow" but in the same breath are saying "who eats next to them" is as important as the food. Who's shallow? Does it make you feel better if you're surrounded by Mississipi St. Pseudo-grunge wannabe's? Pay more attention to who you are with and what you are eating.
13
@Night Garden,
Point taken. Red and Black Cafe for example, as we've seen, has never acted to shape their clientele. I'm sure like Bluehour, they have yet to give their type of potential patron a second thought.
14
As a chef in the pearl, attitudes like those shared by Blabby and Colin are beyond frustrating. As Night_Garden said.. it's comical even.
All we do as operators is try to provide the most comfortable atmosphere for everyone. Can we be faulted for the choice of dress or other choices of the patrons that decide to come in? On any given night, you'll hear music from trip-hop/downtempo to jazz to funk to post-rock or nu-wave or anything in between.. we try to keep the lights at a level of intimate w/out being isolating.. and noise at lively but not invasive. And, that's generally what I see at most places around town. Is this really a formula for attracting well dressed pearlites? Or, are you just trying to cover your own narrow minded version of what the pearl is, and your personal choice to avoid it?
The fact is, until people get over their own fear of being judged, and taking any chance to judge others, there's nothing we in the Pearl can do but what we're doing... which is trying to provide the best food and service we can in what is possibly the toughest neighborhood in Portland to do so. (within reason.. I don't think anyone is going to try and offer a casual-fine dining atmosphere on 82nd)
I won't say that I always enjoy everyone that lives and dines in the Pearl... but, I have been surprised more than once by the depth of character under that button-down and slacks or dress. I'm been more turned off by the higher-than-thou "foodies" that hang out and dine at other places around town, honestly... aren't we all just looking for a comfortable place to enjoy ourselves, when did dining become a competition?
15
If you judge the Pearl by what it looks like on a busy weekend evening or First Thursday, you're going to have a pretty warped sense of reality. I would say the ratio of normal people to obnoxious people are typically equal to the other areas of Portland, and I've lived in North, NE, SE, and South Auditorium by PSU. I tend to stay in on First Thursdays to avoid the (bridge and tunnel?) crowds.
16
Slamming restaurants based on the First Thursday crowd is really pathetic and facile. Do you also shoot fish in barrels? I didn't find the original review particularly unfair, though I've had several great experiences at Irving St. Kitchen (and even the much-maligned Blue Hour), but this ensuing Pearl-bashing fest is an embarrassment. Grow up.

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