Portland Food Critic Banned from Three Restaurants

Positive reviews get you banned from restaurants nowadays?

John Golden, author of the blog The Golden Dish, is no longer welcome at Hugo’s, Eventide and The Honey Paw. Golden was notified about his exile via email. The Portland restaurants are all co-owned by Arlin Smith, Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley.

The Portland Press Herald reports Smith warned Golden not to write about his visit to The Honey Paw the day it opened on April 15. Also noted in the email was his May 1 review of the restaurant, an assessment that was very positive. Golden ranked his dinner as a 'ten-star meal.'

In response to the now very public spat, Taylor and Wiley say they find Golden and his writing unprofessional. Golden isn't surprised he was banned because the owners had given him an ultimatum, eat or write.

According to the Maine Restaurant Association restaurants are within their rights to refuse service to customers. The most common offenses are nonpayment or harassment of staff.

Golden writes for MaineToday.com.