A question for members

[Talk Host]

Looking forward to your replies.

JLK

[ConeyIsBabe]

YES; however, the menu does not tell the whole story about the restaurant. One upscale new restaurant had a California-style menu (which I love) but after eating there I was very disappointed when the food delivered did not match the menu description. I haven't given that place a second chance.

In a local website, much like this one, there is a forum for RESTAURANT REVIEWS where anyone can report their dining experience, good or bad. Someone would post the name of a restaurant as the topic and then others will offer their reviews. I find that information very valuable. Of course, one person may just LOVE fast-foodl/junk-food and another person not, but still personal opinions have merit ;D

P.S. Yes, I see that anyone can post reviews on your Restaurant Forum :agree:

[Talk Host]

Our purpose with this special forum would not be to rate the restaurant. It would simply be a guide for residents, much like those menus in the yellow pages. The restaurant forum would still be available for people to post their review

[zcaveman]

Posting them would be good. But I have found most of the menus on the internet via Google.

[barb1191]

I think it's a great idea and would love to see the menu postings. Yessssssssssss is my vote.

barb

[renielarson]

I agree with zcaveman about looking up menus on a search engine.

Not only am I interested in the menu but more importantly the nutritional values of the food.

It would be nice to have both the menu and nutritional information easily at our fingertips.

[redwitch]

The problem I foresee is how often menus change. It is hard to keep them up to date and nothing more frustrating than checking a menu, planning on ordering a certain item and then not having it available. It won't be the restaurant who is blamed but rather the website who led them astray.

[travelstiles]

I think it would be a good idea, and a marketing tool as well. For instance, when you contact the restaurants for their menus, you can ask it they'd like to advertise on TOTV...and possible offer discounts/coupons. A win-win for all.
PS - regarding menus changing occasionally, if they advertised with TOTV they would be on top of that, too!

[renielarson]

It would be a fantastic idea to make the restaurants accountable for their menu and nutritional value postings....I like that idea!

If that isn't possible, they could send any changes to the administrators and then the administrators could edit with perhaps a simple cut and paste.

[Talk Host]

It won't be the restaurant who is blamed but rather the website who led them astray.


I am missing your point entirely. How has our attempt to provide a service to our members suddendly evolved into "leading them astray?"

[barb1191]

It's worth giving it a try and see how it goes.

Red, I hardly think that this website would be blamed for a menu "leading them astray." That's a bit far fetched, don't yah think?

barb

[chacam]

Over forty forums already ! ! Enough is enough ! !

[renielarson]

Awww chacam....ya gotta go with the flow.

[chelsea24]

Guys, I think this is a great idea. And as far as menu changes go, there can always be a small disclaimer stating something as simple as *Please be aware there may be last minute menu changes. Or *Menu's are subject to change at the restaurants discretion. I agree that it could become a win/win situation. By the way, many websites offer gift cards too, if the restaurants are interested in advertising. Hey, we're 70,000 strong! A great market! You go guys!

[gemorc]

Over forty forums already ! ! Enough is enough ! !
:agree: :agree:
I don't see where posting menus would be of benefit. The quality of food and service can't be put on a menu. Your restaurant forum is more useful than a menu. Case in point, Whiskey Creek had a fantastic menu.

[inholmdel]

How would you handle daily specials???
Besides, http://thevillagesgourmet.home@comcast.net gives quite a bit of information including diner's comments.

[barb1191]

:agree: :agree:
I don't see where posting menus would be of benefit. The quality of food and service can't be put on a menu. Your restaurant forum is more useful than a menu. Case in point, Whiskey Creek had a fantastic menu.



Don't think that one would be looking at a menu on this site unless they already have an acceptable opinion formed of the restaurant. The only menu that hubby and I are interested in viewing are the establishments that we like. We order take-out quite often and order from a collection of choice menus in a file folder we keep. Would love to have a listing of menus online here; great idea. ......barb

[redwitch]

It's worth giving it a try and see how it goes.

Red, I hardly think that this website would be blamed for a menu "leading them astray." That's a bit far fetched, don't yah think?

barb


No, I really don't think it is that farfetched. I've seen it happen -- not by many, but even one is one too many. A site puts out information about an establishment, something happens to change things at that establishment and the site is blamed for not keeping its members informed, not the establishment for changing things.

[zcaveman]

Sometimes friends ask us to meet them at a restaurant we have not been to before. It is nice to look at an online menu to get an idea of what they have and pick out two or three entries that would satisfy our taste buds. This makes t quicker to get our order in without the friends telling us what they like vs what we like.

Online menus are not always up to date which is why we pick two or three entries.

Most online menus do not have prices but some have prices but some do have the nutritional ratings. Nutrition ratings are not a big thing to me since I already know what is good for me and what is bad for me.

If the restaurant already has an online menu, it would be better just to have a link to their menu so that if it does change, we get the changed version without the TOTV admin staff doing any extra work.

[Barefoot]

No, I really don't think it is that farfetched. I've seen it happen -- not by many, but even one is one too many. A site puts out information about an establishment, something happens to change things at that establishment and the site is blamed for not keeping its members informed, not the establishment for changing things.

I agree with Redwitch. It is currently very easy to look up any restaurant menu on the internet. And that way, it is clear that the establishment is responsible for keeping the site updated, not TOTV.

Aha, I just got it. Duh. It is a way of increasing pages viewed on TOTV. If that is what we need to keep the TOTV website viable, by all means, lets post restaurant menus.

[renielarson]

zcaveman

You might think you know what's good for you and what isn't until you really start looking at the nutritional values. They may surprise you.

Again...maybe you do know...I don't know you...so, sorry if you really do.

But...with my experience....most people think they know but really don't.

Some people think salads are healthy..well, WRONG! Some salads are higher in calories than a hamburger. It's a strange world.

[Donna]

Our purpose with this special forum would not be to rate the restaurant. It would simply be a guide for residents, much like those menus in the yellow pages. The restaurant forum would still be available for people to post their review


:bigthumbsup: :agree: Good idea..

[macgolfnut]

As a newbie to TV, but a loyal reader of TOTV, I would love to have the menus printed here. It would help in comparing the different restaurants and give us a chance to preview them before going out. If I am out with friends, we often are talking so much that when the waitress shows up, we have to make a quick decision and don't get a chance to read everything on the menu.

[barb1191]

Well, I guess the poll tells the story. Unanimously in favor.....b

[Jim007]

Great idea. Even though I am not yet a resident, it would be good to find out about the various restaraunts before we get there.

[Russ_Boston]

I would think that if we (TOTV) can get the menus then we (through Google) could also get the menus and they would be up to date and all have other information available. Don't see why we would need them but if someone wants to spend their time doing it be my guest. I think it should only be a list of local restaurants and then a LINK to their menu (and nutritional area if available). I would assume that a LINK is what the admins have in question. Correct?

[renielarson]

Russ

I hadn't thought of linking...great idea!

[JohnN]

a second thought, contrarian,

maybe.. only those restaurants who advertise on TOTV should have menus available here,
think of it as a competitive advantage and an incentive to grow TOTV business.

[Harry]

I agree with John N. :bigthumbsup:

[F16 1UB]

Somebody mention food? Eating out? Color me there. ;D

F16

[784caroline]

Menus only tell part of the story. WE often enjoy daily specials so in addiiton to the normal menu if the posting could include a "sampling' of daily specials that would be of some benefit to us.