Earlier this week Sip Wine Bar + Kitchen, which opened in Downtown Crossing in July, received a one-star review from Globe restaurant critic Devra First. And that's usually where the conversation ends. But this time, Sip has fired back. A representative for Sip tells Eater that chef-owner Chris Damian "has decided to respond to what he feels was a poor interpretation of his restaurant." Damian has created a wager of sorts to determine whether patrons agree with First's review: a wager in which, no matter what you think of Sip, if you go you get something for free.
If you go to Sip and you too feel like the restaurants deserves only one star, your entrée on the house. (So no, you can't use this opportunity to go get drunk for free.) If you go and you like it, a future experience is on the house: you get a $20 gift card. So is Sip rightfully defending its honor, or simply trying to buy your vote? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and see below for Damian's letter.
From Sip chef-owner Chris Damian:
The Boston Globe reviewed my newest restaurant, Sip, this week and sorely missed the mark on what we [Legendary Restaurant Group] are trying to be. We are not aspiring to be a Food & Wine ranked, super sophisticated restaurant. We are aiming to be a comfortable restaurant where we use the best ingredients, prepared simply in a progressive influenced, comfort food style. Our customer enjoys food, beverage, and complimentary validated self-parking at the Ritz Carlton for an average of only $35. We opened Sip because we looked at the neighborhood [Downtown Crossing] and saw there was a need for an accessible, diverse restaurant that would appeal to locals, theater goers, and people who want to enjoy a night out – two or three days a week. Sip is a blend of all of our concepts [Max & Dylan's, Papagayo, Scollay Square] which have been embraced by Boston, and all of which have a solid following.
The crowds that have been coming to Sip since we opened speak for our success, and the ongoing expansion of our restaurant group speaks to our ability to understand the casual diner; we offer quality food and cocktails in an inviting atmosphere for a reasonable price, plain and simple.
We understand that being a restaurant critic is a tough job, but a reviewer's opinion is subjective and we are unsure where the perception or comparative analysis comes from; are we being compared to a restaurant we are not trying to be? Understanding each and every person has their own opinion, we are inviting you to experience our restaurant for yourself, and decide whether or not you agree with this one person's critique.
We welcome you to join us in our dining room at Sip, and if you agree with the reviewer's opinion, your entrée is on us. If you enjoy your experience, please let us know, and we will give you a $20 gift card which can be used on your next visit [through November 6]. We appreciate you taking the time to check us out, and hope to see you again soon.
· At Sip Wine Bar + Kitchen, wine takes back seat to convenience [BG]
· All coverage of Sip Wine Bar + Kitchen on Eater [~EBOS~]