Restaurant Takedown Attracts Epic Comment Thread

If you're part of the local food set, reading Phyllis Stein-Novack's restaurant critique in the South Philly Review is one of the guaranteed weekly joys in life. This week, Phyllis took down Brick American Eatery (which replaced Fish, which replaced one of her former faves, Astral Plane).

In the review, Phyllis said the whole menu needed a do-over, was overpriced, and executed poorly. She shredded almost every course, comparing the salad dressing to the frosting from Toaster Strudel, said that the pesto sauce would "make someone from Genoa cry," and said the wontons were "half-inch pieces of tasteless tuna." Ouch.

In response, Phyllis' haters came out in full force in the comments section, and things quickly spiraled out of control. The website moderators were forced to shut down the thread as the whole fiasco ended up sounding like the passive-aggressive discussion at a dysfunctional Thanksgiving dinner.

Denise LaRosa said...
"SERIOUSLY....The Food at Brick is FABULOUS. I am so glad I do not listen to your reviews because they suck. I can't believe you still have a job."

Eric Scola said...
"...How are you going to SHARE a glass of wine and then complain about it? Did you put two straws in it too like the Lady & the Tramp...I suggest for the 10 South Philadelphia Review readers that are left to go and try Brick American Eatery for yourself for either brunch on the weekends, lunch during the week, or dinner seven nights a week!"

Andre D. said...
"I am not on the waitstaff and I have eaten at Brick numerous times, and all have been more than great experiences...in addition to many of the other comments, I also find sharing a glass of wine to be a little odd...I'd suggest the reviewer not only gain taste buds, but a thesaurus because the two most important things to have while writing a review are vocabulary and taste. Sauce cannot be limp, it is not a solid."

Skeptic said...
"Oh oh. Now Andre D. weighs in. THE Andre D. Not on the waitstaff. Hangs with the wise guys. Watch out boys, Skinny Joey may come in here next. Sit with your back to the wall."

John S. said...
"This woman hasn't been right about ANY restaurant yet...she is only good for one thing - giving the opposite reviews as everyone else in the known universe...my suggestion to anyone reading her reviews is to do the complete opposite of what she says & you are GUARANTEED to be satisfied!"

Adele said...
"Why so undeservingly harsh and rude, Phyllis...get over it, the granola crunch and sprout group has left the planet. This is truly the most unprofessional review I have ever read. It was more like a personal vendetta and an assasination of these hardworking entrepreneurs and their business."

Skeptic said...
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the lovely Adele. Clap clap clap. She has several other pen names (see above). She either sleeps with the manager of this restaurant or she IS the manager. I hope you enjoyed his/her comments, and now please pay attention as she slowly, provocatively does her dance. Hopefully that will distract our Genoan customers from the limp and watery ravioli sauce."

Steins A Nut said...
"Here goes the truth. She only gives positive reviews to places that she knows the owners. I been all over the city to eat and have to say Brick is good...that they shared a glass of wine is hysterical! Free advertising whether its negative is still advertising and IF you people have any sense you will not listen to this old cheap ass!! Try it out you will not be dissapointed! And I do not work there or own it nor do I sleep with anyone there!"

John S. said...
"Skeptic, keep rolling on the floor! You obviously eat off it! No dishwasher needed!"

Skeptic said...
"So the truth comes out: Eric Scola is a waiter at this "eatery." Before his shift do you think he eats the tasteless tuna wontons, the flavorless lamb burger, or the limp lettuce salad? I'm betting he bags a PB&J from home. LOL."

Anonymous said...
"Eric Scola? that's the name of a guy on Grindr all the time. I thought he worked at CVS."

Dr. Wilson said...
"Finally! The bartender at Brick has clued me in on Edward's repeated questions. All these years he's been pleading for an "Astral Plain": the Astral Gateway cocktail without lemon. As Phyllis would say, you are so limp, Edward!"

Moderator said...
"Thread closed."

· Brick American Eatery [SPR]
· All Week In Reviews [~EPHI~]