Restaurant Operators lose sleep over Online Reviews

“This place truly sucks,” wrote one reviewer. “It’s void of any atmosphere whatsoever, service is nonexistent, food not even worth mentioning. The hospital cafeteria at UCSF is more inviting.” Fars and his cafe received a painful introduction to a trend in the business world — online reviews of local enterprises.  Steve Paoli, owner of a group of restaurants under the umbrella of Mission Bay Foods, had worked as a bartender for years and thought he was “as bulletproof as they come.” But the first online reviews of his places left him an emotional wreck. “I used to take them really personally,” Paoli said. “Especially as a sole proprietor, you try so hard, you feel a need to please everybody. Every time I go on there and see another review, I cringe. I don’t want it to affect my mood. There’s something about that anonymous kid out there writing about you that can light your fire.” See http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/03/BUG45KT0RH1.DTL