"You have to read them with an open mind, and not so much of a chef’s ego."
In December 2023, Irene Eng sat down for dinner at Hales Blackbrick, a popular spot off Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa specializing in “seasonal New Asian” cuisine.
She and her group of friends dug into dishes that included tiger shrimp, lamb chops, spare ribs, eggplant and mushrooms and chocolate cake.
Then Eng did what she often does after a meal: went online to leave a review.
“Probably will return: one of better fusion restaurants I’ve been to in Florida,” the Wimauma woman began in her 795-word critique. “But the meat quality is subpar.”
After she posted her review, things escalated quickly. The restaurant responded to Eng’s post, calling it abusive, disrespectful and arrogant. The restaurant’s executive chef and owner, Richard Hales, sent Eng a cease-and-desist letter after Eng reposted the same review on Yelp, Google and Tripadvisor. Then he filed a lawsuit.
Read more at the Tampa Bay Times