Explanation of the Belgian Foodie Rating System for Reviews

General Comments about My Ratings

 

Rating Scale

In all my reviews, I give ratings on various elements on a 1-to-5 scale.   One is the lowest rating and five is the highest.  Below is a short description for each number of stars:

• 1 star:  Awful, below all expectations
• 2 stars:  Needs serious improvement
• 3 stars:  Average, satisfactory, in no way exceptional or standing out
• 4 stars:  Very good, well above average
• 5 stars:  Outstanding / extraordinary, absolutely perfect

Keep in mind that I rarely give between 4.5 and 5.0 in any criteria since there’s always room for improvement.  I keep a spot for truly the exception.

Similarly I rarely give between 1.0 and 2.0 in any criteria.  If the place or item being reviewed was really so horrible, I probably would not have selected it in the first place.  It most likely would not have been on my radar.  Moreover, I try not to invest my time reviewing something that was so awful.  As much as possible I try to identify places or items worthy of your patronage.

I aim to focus on the positive while gently identifying areas requiring improvement.  It does not help anyone to overlook these areas needing attention.  Hopefully my constructive criticism will help the establishment provide a better service / good in the future.

 

Context for Review – Example of Restaurant Review

All my ratings are assessed while keeping in mind the type of good or service being reviewed.   For example, if I’m reviewing a cafe in one part of town, I try to evaluate it relative to other cafes in the same general area offering similar food and beverages.  It’s no use comparing a cafe to a Michelin starred restaurant.  Nor would it be fair.

In this way, a food truck can receive an overall rating of 4.5, while a higher class restaurant can earn a 2.0.  The ratings do not relate to the establishment’s classiness.

 

All Reviews are Personal and Independent

 

Personal Views

All views expressed in the reviews are my own.  They merely reflect my opinion.

If you do not agree with my assessment, please share your opinion in the comments area below my review.

 

Independent Review

I aim to provide an objective and fair assessment of each criteria stated in my reviews.

If I receive anything for free from an establishment being evaluated, I will state this in my review so you can be aware of anything that may influence my assessment.  Receipt of such a gift will not make me feel obliged to review a good or service nor to prepare a more positive review.

Similarly if I am displeased with the establishment being evaluated, I will state this in my review so you can be aware of the basis of my displeasure and thus take this into account.