I am so with you on food blogs. And I’m really glad that Alex
sort of let the shoe drop in his piece on Italy. As far as I’m concerned, though, he’s too polite–I’ve been reading him for years in GOURMET and now from time to time on the NY TIMES, and so I don’t think he’s the kind of guy to go for a vein, but what he’s put his finger on is really true. The food blog world is so full of gas and ego and crap that it’s going to cave in on itself if someone doesn’t open a window.

Peace, M

I really liked this post, and especially your despair over the "blog bog." I have developed my own methods for deciding if I can trust a food blog or not, and maybe two of my golden rules will help you, too:

*Never trust a blogger who talks about being recognized by service staff or a chef–this means there’s too much ego in play, especially when any really good food writer remains as anonymous as possible.

*Never trust a blogger who mentions other food bloggers or food critics. I read about a dozen food blogs a week, mostly in NYC, but also yours, which I very much enjoy, one other good one in Paris (Serve it Forth), and a great one in London called Umami, and what I love about them is that they stand on their own two feet. If I want to know what Sam Sifton thinks about a restaurant, I’ll read the NY Times, etc., etc. Instead, well-written blogs are my peche mignon.

All best, Elise