An American influencer’s scathing review of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain’s San Sebastian has created an online storm. The vlogger, named Chloe Jade Meltzer, visited the world-renowned restaurant Mugaritz some weeks ago with her friends and called it “the worst meal of her life.” She also showed that her group paid around $800 (more than Rs 67,000) for the distasteful meal. The first part of her 3 part review has clocked in over 10 million views. The viral review has sparked a heated debate over questions of fine dining, honest reviews, food snobbery and more.
In a series of videos, Chloe shared the details about several courses she ordered and what she and her dining companions felt about them. At the beginning of the first video, Chloe mentioned how a man almost got arrested because they refused to pay, mentioning how bad the food was. She compared the first meal to “lip gloss.” Then, she showcased one of the dishes, which was served in the form of a belly button. Moving on, she described one of the dishes as “charred spinach with barbeque sauce” which she said was disgusting.
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The influencer mentioned they were well aware that it was supposed to be an “inventive” restaurant but were left baffled by the taste of the food, which they found extremely disappointing. In the second and final part of the review, she continued to explain the remaining meals and why she disliked most of them.
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The influencer’s review quickly garnered the attention of social media users, prompting a sea of reactions in the comments section. Some users agreed and shared their own unsatisfactory experiences at Mugaritz, while others found it hard to believe how the experience turned out so bad for them. There were a few who criticised the vlogger, saying that she did not understand the creativity and philosophy of the chef/restaurant. Check out some of the reactions below:
Hailing the restaurant, a user wrote, “Mugaritz is one of the best restaurants in the world, it’s absolutely not for ordinary people who can’t understand the creativity, the concept, and the results of the R+D! I work in gastronomy and I had the luck to experience their tasting menu. I admire their freedom, make this restaurant a very unique place in the world!”
“Mugaritz is not about gustatory excellence, it’s about gustatory exploration. Lots of people don’t understand it or have a hard time accepting that. They don’t need to like something for it to have value,” read another comment.
Coming to the rescue of the influencer, a comment read, “Thanks for your review; I know it’s a controversial opinion but just because a restaurant is crazy expensive and ‘experimental,’ doesn’t actually mean it’s good, there are lots of snobs here thinking price + popularity = good food lol.”
Another added, “I can’t believe people are mad at you for giving your opinion. At €800 per person, the food better be good. I don’t care if it’s meant to be “an experience.” The food should still taste good. You can make an experience not taste awful, you know?”
“I would be soooooo pissed if I had to suck on a gelatinous belly button for $800. NOPE! Looks little then dinner was horrendous. Glad you are letting people know!” an account remarked.
An individual posted, “How are people defending the restaurant?! Please stop with the it’s art and ‘high end’ nah. I have eaten at some really high-end places, and if someone served me this, I would get up and leave mid-meal. Every restaurant deserves criticism, whether it be good or bad.”
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