Restaurant websites…and a review of Seven
It’s not a particularly insightful observation, but restaurant websites are frequently flawed. (And yes, I realize that it may be dangerous for someone like me, who could easily be accused of living on a glass website, to throw virtual stones.)
This thought pattern was generated by this week’s review of an interesting new bar/restaurant in Belleville called Seven. It’s somewhat New Orleans in atmosphere and menu, with a menu developed by former Tangerine chef Blake Brokaw in a consulting role. (Blake ain’t there no more — he got the kitchen going and then left it in other hands.)
Seven’s website isn’t bad as restaurant websites go, but the menu has been updated since it was first posted, so the website is somewhat out of date. While compiling this week’s restaurant news, I also visited the site of the newly opened Mia Rosa (whose opening I first reported in early June). Wander around that site for a minute. What’s Mia Rosa’s address? (Hint: You have to click on either the menu link or the images link and then click on the contact link — but then you’re presented the information in blue-gray on aqua.)
Another recent disappointment is the West End Grill and Pub. See if you can tell why.
In some cases its web designers run amok. In others it’s a lack of timely information. For still others, websites go down for a variety of technical or business reasons, and rumors quickly start to swirl that the restaurant is in trouble. (This has happened in the recent past to places as diverse as Feraro’s Pizza and An American Place. whose site was still down as of this posting — both, happily, still open and going strong.)
Things I’d like all restaurant websites to have:
- Contact information (address, phone and e-mail) visible on the main page. Don’t make me hunt for it.
- Up-to-date menu information.
- If you’re going to put up your special events, newsletter, etc. — make sure you keep them up to date.
- OpenTable link, if you use that.
- A minimum of annoying sound effects.
Got a favorite (or least favorite) restaurant website? Post it in the comments.
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Joe Bonwich has been the restaurant critic for the Post-Dispatch since 2002 and has covered the local food scene for various publications for more than 25 years. He does his best to maintain his anonymity so that he isn't recognized in restaurants (which is why his picture looks like it does). 
Atlas is one of the best restaurant websites I have ever seen.
*All the information up front.
*Updated practically the minute something changes.
*Loads fast for people on slow connections.
What more can you really ask for?
Agree on Atlas. Simple, up to date, and informative.
Niche has a good site as well except fom having a few too many personal notes from Mr. Craft.
Menus in PDF format are nice. There are times when you want to print the menu and printing from the web page is illegible.
The worst I’ve ever seen is SirBQue. After it was mentioned by J.B., I looked it up and was appalled by the spelling and grammatical errors and even called to offer to help them out by pointing out the errors. I was told they were working on it. I have since returned and although it was addressed errors still existed. Initially, ALL steak references were spelled stake. last visit I believe that particular error was reduced to 1. Now if they could just conjugate verbs.
I agree that about 80% if not 90% of restaurant websites are not only generic looking, but extremely out of date. I was extremely suprised at just how many are like that until I started looking it up while building this website for a client. (yourlunchtime.com) It’s rediculous! Not only are most of them extremely dated. But you’re right, the sound effects are obnoxious and the menus and contact information are the hardest to find!
I completely agree with what you’re saying. A solid restaurant website should be easy to navigate and regularly updated (and not Flash-based). I’ve actually created a website to address this problem– http://www.LetsEat.at. It’s a free online app that automatically creates and hosts custom restaurant websites. Might not always be the answer for larger, more established places, but it does make for a decent alternative for those just starting out.