Sam walked down the long bar to greet a familiar looking couple that had just come in from the dining room. “Well, there are two faces I haven’t seen in a long time. I hope you had a great meal.”
“Hello, Sam. Dave and Loretta Harris. We haven’t been in here in a while,” Dave said as he helped his wife up on a plush bar stool.
“Sure, I remember you now. I hope we didn’t do anything to scare you off?” Sam asked with his deep voice and wide Irish smile.
“Not at all,” Dave assured. “We moved south of Green Bay and just don’t come up this way much anymore. However, we saw that blog posting and thought we’d take a little ride up here and check out your food.”
“I don’t know what blog posting you mean, but I hope wonderful things were said about our humble establishment.” Sam puffed up a bit with pride as he straightened his tan golf shirt. “We always get good reviews from our customers.”
“Wonderful things weren’t said by the blogger this time, Sam.” Loretta almost chuckled as she shared the news.
“As a matter of fact,” Dave continued, “it was a horrible review. We actually came up here to see if the food could possibly be as bad as the blogger wrote. But I’m pleased to say our meals were delicious. Every bit as good as we remembered.”
Loretta interjected, “We also took the coward’s way out. We came in the restaurant entrance, and if the food wasn’t good, we were going to leave without talking to you. Sorry, Sam. But since we loved the food, we wanted to come out to the bar and mention it.”
Sam’s normally robust face paled. “I really don’t know what to say. I’m thrilled your meal was good, but I hadn’t realized anyone was unhappy.” He absently wiped at an imaginary stain on the spotless bar.
“Sam, that blogger has it all wrong,” Dave said. “I wouldn’t worry about it. I like how you expanded and redecorated the dining room. You can serve a lot more people now.”
“Yes,” Loretta agreed. “People in northern Wisconsin like the outdoorsy look, and most women here like the Packers, even if that nasty Nell doesn’t.”
“Glad you appreciate our efforts,” Sam started to turn away, but looked back. “This blogger said something about the look of the place, too?” He fumbled with a dirty glass. “Well, anyone can put anything on the internet, I guess. I’ve never read anyone’s blog, but I wouldn’t mind taking a look at this one. What’s the name of it?”
“Nell’s Noshes Up North,” said Loretta. “I keep up with a lot of restaurant and cooking blogs. It’s a hobby of mine.”
“This blogger sounds nauseous to me, as in nauseating.” Sam made an effort to laugh it off, but clenched his teeth.
“Maybe we shouldn’t have mentioned anything. We didn’t mean to upset you,” Dave said as he shifted on his stool and gave his wife a sidelong glance.
“I’m not upset,” Sam assured them. “And I’m really glad you let me know. Thanks so much. How about a drink on the house?”
As Sam made drinks and visited with his customers, he smiled even more and laughed even louder than usual. However, his mind was on the blog and how anxious he was to read it. He couldn’t help looking all around his bar, trying to see it as though it was his first time here. What does that blogger find objectionable? The hardwood bar shines, the bottles and glasses sparkle, and every utensil is spotless. He knew he needed to read that review for himself and looked toward his small office that housed the computer.
Soon, Loretta and Dave left and thanked Sam again for such a lovely meal.
“Hey, Sam, I waited for that couple to leave, but now I have to tell you I couldn’t help overhearing what they were saying about that blog,” Bud, a regular customer commented as he ate some peanuts from the basket on the bar. “What do you think of that?”
“I don’t know, I don’t go on blogs. Bud, you’re much more computer savvy than I. What do you think? Do you ever read any?” Sam picked up a few glasses from the rinse tray and wiped them clean with a towel.
“Not food blogs, but I’m a steady reader of beer blogs. I’ve learned a lot about craft beers and new microbreweries in Wisconsin,” Bud replied as he drained his brew.
“Hmmm, so if you read something negative about a beer, you wouldn’t try it? And if you read a poor review about a brewpub, you wouldn’t go there?” Sam pulled another bottle for Bud out of the cooler.
“Probably not. Gee, Sam, this isn’t good.” Bud looked grimly at Sam. “This could have a detrimental effect on your business.”
This is just what I don’t need after expanding the kitchen and dining room. Sam paced back and forth behind the bar without purpose. “I was really starting to grow this business, so I made a leap of faith, and now owe the bank a bundle.”
“I wonder exactly what is on that blog, Sam.”
Sam took another look around the bar. Everyone had a full or nearly full drink. “Do me a favor, Bud. Watch the bar while I check it out on my computer.”