1000 ways to feast at Google

June 9, 2008

Jatbar was hatched many years ago with the intent of providing something that just didn't exist at the time. We went out to lunch A LOT- back then, usually to La Bamba , and were never satisfied to try the same place again and again and again. We needed to branch out and explore new places, new cuisines, new cultures. There were very few websites back then that gave visitors an idea of what to expect and most were very specific (such as downtown Mountain View) or very non-specific and spotty in their coverage, and even more spotty in their believability (URLs withheld).

It's hard to trust someone who has written only a handful of reviews (and in most cases, just one BAD review). When restaurant visitors are upset, they look for ways to post their disappointment. When these people are indifferent or satisfied, they rarely tend to post their opinions (the reasoning could be either indifference to a place or perhaps the guarding of a favorite spot). We saw an opportunity to help the people, and perhaps even bring online restaurant reviews to a different level. There were no alterior motives to make it rich, no paid reviewers, no sponsored restaurants, etc. . . .

After years of saying it, it may sound corny, but its still true. We write reviews that you may not agree with, but you can count on them... for being honest and our true opinions. We are not sponsored by anyone and do it for the love of food. If anything (for good or for bad) we are consistent. In the end, we feel that is the only way to run a restaurant review site. Do lots of reviews, and make them true to our hearts. Its turned out to be pretty useful. With over a million unique visits, Jatbar has validated our original dream.

Yeah its kind of corny to announce milestones like 100 (Nijo Castle), 500 (Koi Palace) or 1000, and really - it only increases the anticipation for our users (probably to our detriment, since expectations are always shattered, and a let-down) - but believe us, it makes this impossible job that much more interesting for us. We look back at reviews we have written, and always find an experience that meant something to us - - that inspection sticker we discovered on the apple or the gnat in the soy sauce. Maybe the dude behind the counter who saw Jason's camera and threw a sh!t-fit. haha. Mostly it makes us laugh nowadays (I mean, what else can you expect after 1000 restaurants? Its the journey, not the destination.)

We struggled long and hard when considering what to do for number 1000. Its a big milestone. Who visits 1000 different restaurants? And writes about them? Its a sickness, and while it would have been nice to review one of the higher powered restaurants in the area (and there are many), it ultimately wouldn't hold true to the jatbar way. We are about finding the unique places, and shining a light on worlds that most people perhaps were not aware of. Be it bringing countless new visitors to 'Sushi Coast', or to 'House of Falafel' or steering people from the many over-hyped places through the bay area - its the search for the new and somewhat offbeat that makes Jatbar what it has become. So instead of writing an "easy 10" at one of the powerhouses, we decided to play it cheap (free) and go with Google.

Jason has visited Google many times, and this was Terry's first time. This unique juxtapositioning should make for interesting reviewing. The price is right (for Jatbar - and anyone for that matter) and the subject titillating. And in true Jatbar fashion, it wouldn't be right to just review one of the Google cafe's. Or two. Or half of them. It has to be all of them, or forget it. So, apologies for the lateness in Jatbar 1000, but to do this right takes time.

Thanks to everyone for making Jatbar a leading Bay Area restaurant review destination and continuing to support us with your hard-earned TIME and interest. Special thanks to Googlers (DY, JW, EC, LU, JC, and SH) who made it possible to do all the cafeterias. We are not going anywhere, and the un-ending journey continues. Onwards to 2000. . . . .

jason and terry

And without further ado, here is restaurant #1000 - Google.