My First Restaurant Review (way before Google, Tripadvisor and the Food Channel)
I opened my first restaurant, Filet of Sole on January 27th, 1984. Due to unforeseen expenses, “extras”, I underbudgeted the construction cost and decided to use cheaper particleboard to build Henry’s Oyster Bar. I planned to rebuild a better, longer lasting oyster bar if my restaurant was still around after the first year.
I was only serving between 70-90 diners in my 150-seat restaurant on Friday and Saturday evenings. My final payment to the contractors was due in the first week of April of that year and I knew I would have to ask my not so silent partner to provide additional funding. I also knew he would likely demand additional ownership and greater control.
On Saturday, March 31st, 1984 Toronto Star (Starweek Magazine) published the first ever review of my restaurant, written by Jim White. This review changed my life and the course of my business for decades to follow. That evening, I served over 400 diners, a trend that was sustained for many years.
