Sites like CitySearch,Yelp or local food blogs like ChowHound have created a gastronomic democracy - anyone and everyone is free to leave reviews about local restaurants and other services. Once the domain of the Frank Bruni’s of the world, restaurant reviews are now being produced by the masses and changing the way people dine and the way restaurants serve.

For local dining establishments, which are often left unreviewed by food critics and rely on foot traffic or word of mouth, a posting on Citysearch can make or break their business in a week rather than several months. Similarly, for hyped restaurants that were at the mercy of a handful of newspaper and magazine critics must now treat every customer as a potential review. As a result, restauranteurs have to stay on the ball and make sure their service is consistent for the unexpected reviewer in plain clothes.

From :: SlashFood
via SF Chronicle