Best Restaurant Reviewer Ever?

[weinoo]

From Craig Claiborne to Ruth Reichl; Gael Greene to Adam Platt; Patty Unterman to Michael Bauer; Jonathan Gold to Robert Sietsema; Phyllis Richman to Tom Sietsema (no relation).

Who is really the greatest restaurant reviewer of all time?

And - biggest hack?

[heidih]

I can't really answer the question as to greatest reviewer as I do not eat at fine dining establishments. However, I adore Jonathan Gold and have been a huge fan since his column in Part 2 of the L.A. Times Food Section (yes it was a 2 parter back in the day), and continue to vicariously enjoy incredible food via his LA Weekly column. He puts you right in the eater's seat with the vibe, presentation, smells, and vivid taste descriptions. Course they gave him a Pulitzer for a reason Local boy rules!

[lancastermike]

My vote: Holly Moore. he eats at the kind of places I like

[Hito]

Maybe it's a local bias, being from Denver, but I've always been fond of the Westword's former critic (who now writes for Seattle Weekly), Jason Sheehan. His reviews have always been filled with delightful adjectives and bursts of humor.

[Chris Amirault]

I read every one of Caroline Bates's reviews in Gourmet.

Tom Sietsema and Corby Kummer seem smart, more often than not.

I trust this Shaw fellow, too.

[Pierogi]

Toss up between Ruth Reichl and Jonathan Gold. Probably only because I'm most familiar with their works, since they were/are both prolific LA-centric writers. But I also love Reichl's writing in general, not just restaurant reviews.