• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

RESTAURANT COVERAGE IN MASS IN THE WAKE OF THE TANTRUM GOURMET

Written by CHRIS FARAONE Posted June 30, 2020 Filed Under: COVID, Dear Reader, Eats

Boston restaurants

 

Dear Reader,

When it comes to bars and food and booze and all those things I want and love to enjoy but can’t exactly indulge in the way I would like to, I am definitely not in the lecturing phase. As I was last month, when I unloaded on a small group of right-wing restaurateurs who were clamoring to open on May 19. That self-serving premature initiative was led by Dave Andelman of Phantom Gourmet fame, who subsequently ran afoul of all people of good conscience as a result of several bigoted social media posts deriding actions against state violence. I didn’t write this column just to say, I told you so. But nevertheless, I told you so—not only about the Tantrum Gourmet, but also about states that opened restaurants too early.

Anybody with a decent bullshit radar has been on to Andelman for years, but around here, the idea of a show about food that’s more of a commercial than it is legitimate coverage is insulting to an outlet like DigBoston. I’m unsure of the nature of relationships between the Phantom Gourmet and its advertisers/feature subjects, but around here we never sold out. I am not exaggerating when I say that we are approached every single week by companies—some local, some national—that want to buy their way into our editorial, whether it’s a booze that some public relations dick wants us to rave about, or a skin cream brand that wants to place its sponsored content on our site with no disclaimer. But we don’t do it, because while we don’t have much, we do have the respect of many readers, and we understand that you expect more from us than to shamelessly prop awful nonsense for a paycheck. You deserve more, and we are better than that.

Are there exceptions? Gray areas? Of course there are, and we try to be as open about those as possible. For example, we often partner with venues and bars, and enthusiastically invite readers to join in the fun. But that’s what I wanted to address regarding this week’s issue. In several ways, it’s unlike any other food and entertainment special we have ever done.

Out of respect for a hospitality industry in which many establishments are bloody and on the ropes, we have toned down much of the snark and critical perspective that sometimes drip off these pages. Instead of telling you where to get the best cocktails and which overpriced joints to avoid, we instead focused on bright spots and the solutions that inventive people are bringing to the hospitality space, in Boston and all around the country. From restaurant owners fighting for permission to sell takeout cocktails, to initiatives that keep service industry workers safe and paid in these times, we believe that is where food and drink coverage should be right now.

As for whether it’s a good or bad idea to have indoor dining, or outdoor drinking areas, or any of these other difficult attempts to pull certain parts of the economy out of the gutter as soon as possible, what can I say? Frankly, it’s out of my hands at this point. From the looks of things in other states, generally speaking, the sooner places reopened, the worse off they wound up. Gov. Charlie Baker is no hero, but at least we waited longer than most others in many regards, and as a result have some respectable numbers to show for it. 

All things considered, while Phantom Gourmet’s very existence and popularity offends me to my core, at this moment, I’m not above taking a page out of their playbook and cheerleading for businesses that need it.

CHRIS FARAONE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHRIS FARAONE

A Queens, NY native who came to New England in 2004 to earn his MA in journalism at Boston University, Chris Faraone is the editor and co-publisher of DigBoston and a co-founder of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. He has published several books including 99 Nights with the 99 Percent, and has written liner notes for hip-hop gods including Cypress Hill, Pete Rock, Nas, and various members of the Wu-Tang Clan.

More from author
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    SPECIAL FEATURE ON THE MASS STATE POLICE: TROOPER WILSON’S WAR
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    VIDEO: UNBOXING SPRINGDALE BEER'S LIMITED EDITION NEIPA MUSIC BOX SET
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    AN UPDATE ON ALL THINGS DIGBOSTON
  • CHRIS FARAONE
    https://digboston.com/author/chris-faraone/
    BOSTON LATIN ACADEMY GRADS FIGHT FOR REPRESENTATION IN ALUMNI GROUP

Filed Under: COVID, Dear Reader, Eats Tagged With: columns, coronavirus, COVID, Dear Reader, eats

WHAT’S NEW

SPECIAL FEATURE: THE CRUEL AND USUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN MASS PRISONS

SPECIAL FEATURE: THE CRUEL AND USUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN MASS PRISONS

INBOX: GROUP CALLS FOR BIDEN TO ABOLISH POLICE MILITARIZATION PROGRAM

INBOX: GROUP CALLS FOR BIDEN TO ABOLISH POLICE MILITARIZATION PROGRAM

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE CITY AND STATE TO FINALLY SUPPORT MINORITY BUSINESS?

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE CITY AND STATE TO FINALLY SUPPORT MINORITY BUSINESS?

HOMEWORK FOR BEACON HILL’S COVID EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

HOMEWORK FOR BEACON HILL’S COVID EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A FIREFIGHTER ELECTION

A FIREFIGHTER ELECTION

LEGISLATION AIMS TO HELP UNDOCUMENTED ATTAIN DRIVERS' LICENSES

LEGISLATION AIMS TO HELP UNDOCUMENTED ATTAIN DRIVERS’ LICENSES

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • SPECIAL FEATURE ON THE MASS STATE POLICE: TROOPER WILSON’S WAR by CHRIS FARAONE
  • DOES THE FORMER BPD COMMISSIONER EVEN LIVE IN BOSTON? by ZACK HUFFMAN
  • [UPDATE: WE GOT IT!] WHERE IS THE CONTRACT FOR MASSACHUSETTS’ VACCINE APPOINTMENT SOFTWARE? by POLINA WHITEHOUSE
  • BOSTON LATIN ACADEMY GRADS FIGHT FOR REPRESENTATION IN ALUMNI GROUP by CHRIS FARAONE
  • MASS KEEPS TRYING TO BUILD A NEW WOMEN’S PRISON OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC VIEW by DAN ATKINSON

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

Footer

digbos

LGBTQ+ prisoners in Mass stand up to a violent sys LGBTQ+ prisoners in Mass stand up to a violent system that targets and dehumanizes vulnerable populations. https://digboston.com/special-feature-the-cruel-and-usual-violence-against-lgbtq-people-in-mass-prisons/ #prison #prisoner #humanrights #LGBT #politics #Massachusetts
Nominations now open! Vote for your favorite busin Nominations now open! Vote for your favorite businesses today. 

Are you a business? Are you the best at what you do? Encourage your fans to cast their votes! DM us to get our social media materials to promote your business and ensure your win. #bostontops #digboston
Bill sponsors, #Framingham mayor, and MA district Bill sponsors, #Framingham mayor, and MA district attorney will explain the Work & Family Mobility Act at a press conference. https://digboston.com/driving-families-forward-coalition-aims-to-help-undocumented-attain-drivers-licenses/ #politics #undocumented #immigration #driving #license #Massachusetts
Today at 4pm, cast your votes! #digboston Today at 4pm, cast your votes! #digboston
At a virtual summit, leaders sought to educate and At a virtual summit, leaders sought to educate and engage on the need for change. https://digboston.com/officials-advocates-speak-to-immigration-reform-and-economic-recovery/ #immigration #reform #economy #politics #Massachusetts
When it comes to special packaging and limited edi When it comes to special packaging and limited editions, Jack’s Abby and subsidiary Springdale out in Framingham are top players. https://digboston.com/video-unboxing-springdale-beers-limited-edition-neipa-music-box-set/ #beer #fun
Industrial Arts Brewing in NY’s Hudson Valley is Industrial Arts Brewing in NY’s Hudson Valley is well worth the look out of state ... https://digboston.com/video-pocket-wrench-by-industrial-arts-brewing-is-a-super-satisfying-session/ #beer #fun
Some who are civilly committed for #addiction in M Some who are civilly committed for #addiction in Mass face abusive #prison conditions. Still, some families say it’s better than the alternative https://digboston.com/the-commitments-addiction-treatment-behind-bars-in-massachusetts/ #treatment #Massachusetts
“Then this thing happened. I decided to pivot. I “Then this thing happened. I decided to pivot. It was probably my best shot at attracting some national attention to #Nebraska.” https://digboston.com/interview-with-rural-rebellion-author-ross-benes/ #interview #book #politics #USA #MAGA
Mark your calendars! Mark your calendars!
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]