Bogus Yelp reviews for One South?

Apparently 1 South is the greatest new restaurant since...well, maybe ever. At least judging by the first few Yelp reviews (all five-star, of course), which include some really over-the-top prose (it's a "beacon of light" with an "incredibly helpful and knowledgeable staff" lol).

https://www.yelp.com/biz/1-south-restaurant-south-orange-2



I went there and it was very good.  Service was excellent and guessing it is overstaffed as part of their process to win customers.  If I was to have given a review it would have been 5 stars.  

Real test will be how long this holds up.



That's good to hear, I'm at least somewhat curious to check it out.

I am skeptical of the 3 Yelp reviews though, as they're from out-of-town people with very few reviews, and they seem to have voted for each other's reviews. Plus the Bryan L. guy poorly reviewed South Mountain Tavern.


I went and read the reviews --- sort of agree they were over the top and would not surprise me if a restaurant owner asked friends to post reviews -- one of the problems with sites like Yelp.  

I did often go to Above  -- which I might have given 3 stars during their first few years, 2 stars in the months leading up to their demise, and I was more than a little surprised at how good it was last week.  Just a super good experience.  


There’s actually five reviews, not three. Two were already hidden by Yelp. The other theee will probably follow. 


But at least Bryan L posted a screen shot of the menu, which I had been wanting to see before considering a visit. 


My approach to Yelp is that unless the reviewer has over 20 reviews, I don't bother reading them.  A first time reviewer is most likely a friend of the restaurant or someone with an axe to grind.  Either way they're not a reliable source.


I’ve only posted one review (of a Starbucks near work no less)... must get in there and get some under my belt I suppose. 


That said, Stephen’s review nearly made me wet myself.  If that wasn’t written by the restaurant or someone directly affiliated I’ll eat my shoes. 



ctrzaska said:

I’ve only posted one review (of a Starbucks near work no less)... must get in there and get some under my belt I suppose. 




That said, Stephen’s review nearly made me wet myself.  If that wasn’t written by the restaurant or someone directly affiliated I’ll eat my shoes. 

Once you do, please post a review of how they tasted.


Good call.  I would ignore the reviews by Stephen T., Bryan L., Brittany P. and the others that were already hidden (and any others that will pop up by Xxxxx Y.).  Sigh.

Smedley said:

Apparently 1 South is the greatest new restaurant since...well, maybe ever. At least judging by the first few Yelp reviews (all five-star, of course), which include some really over-the-top prose (it's a "beacon of light" with an "incredibly helpful and knowledgeable staff" lol).

https://www.yelp.com/biz/1-south-restaurant-south-orange-2



If I were a restaurant owner/manager, I wouldn't necessarily be above encouraging friends to constructively review my place...but I'd want whatever was written to be realistic rather than ridiculous.

The extra comical thing about Stephen T. is that his only other review is for an electronics repair place in 2015:

"Tiger is awesome af, I'm a young college student and received no bs and good customer service. Seriously come out if you're issues with your iphone."

Stephen's Expository Writing professors must be excellent, as he is decidedly more eloquent these days...  


The last time I had a dish with a distinct flare of colors, my chemistry lab needed to be evacuated.


Oh my tender kebob.


Google has two reviews, a 4-star and a 2-star.


Tom --- thanks for pointing those out.  the 2 star one is almost funny --- saying many of the favorites from a the old place are no longer there.  the old menu was a disaster.  I find the new menu much better plus since it is not in a book format, very easy for them to modify in the  future.  



it's the most amazing restaurant in the history of food. 


A Google review says, "To be honest, I didn't really notice a difference [from Above] ... but the service is so much better then [sic] it used to be."

I guess that means it's the same, but much better.


I tried to visit their website and got a message that they had exceeded their bandwidth limit for the month. A sign of lots of traffic, but a marketing mishap that will hopefully be amended.

I'm not entirely sure how they got my email address. I might have used it for reservations at Above at some point.


Not sure why a local restaurant with no advertising, publicity or big media reviews would have huge web traffic that would cause issues.

An employee (server) posted on FB today, seems like nice guy and he posted menu ... not sure why owners aren't doing this.

Though their "prefix" menu looks pretty good.

Hmm ...


On the one hand $40 is pretty reasonable for Easter Dinner at a restaurant round these parts. On the other hand, it's a pretty basic menu. If the dishes are prepared well and the service is good it sounds worth it.

Depending on what's on the website and what package they are paying for from their hosting service I suppose the bandwidth thing is explained. 


it's the best thing since the invention of the mouth 


Better than The Restaurant at the End of the Universe



apple44 said:

Though their "prefix" menu looks pretty good.

Hmm ...


There are at least three typos, but what gets me hmm-ing is the claim that the Atlantic salmon is wild-caught.


It's so good, you have to kill yourself after you eat there because you can't live! 



susan1014 said:

But at least Bryan L posted a screen shot of the menu, which I had been wanting to see before considering a visit. 


He’s actually a waiter there.  Thus the glowing review.  



mrincredible said:



ctrzaska said:

I’ve only posted one review (of a Starbucks near work no less)... must get in there and get some under my belt I suppose. 




That said, Stephen’s review nearly made me wet myself.  If that wasn’t written by the restaurant or someone directly affiliated I’ll eat my shoes. 
Once you do, please post a review of how they tasted.

Somehow I doubt I’ll ever know the pleasure.  


Forget the wild salmon. Try the fillet of sole.


I'm partial to the fillet of soul


I'm waiting for Mr Creosote's review.


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