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Bar Masa
You are thinking, "Did Danny drop coin to go get there?" Actually I went during lunch when they have lunch specials for $25-$35 dollars. Woo. What a steal! It would be really great to show you awesome pictures of the lunch I had at Bar Masa. Maybe I would inject some bad writing about how enjoyable the experience was or how wonderful the food tasted. Well, I cannot do any of that because five minutes after I sat down, I got up and left.
I sat down at the bar, and the bartender handed me the regular menu and the lunch specials menu. Looked at the affordable (for a banker) regular menu and then settled on the lunch specials menu. Of course I wanted to record this experience, therefore I pulled out my camera and snapped a picture of the menu.
"I'm sorry, no photography in here. I would love to help you out but I have a boss."
Afterwards I told my friends this story, and said it would be fun to rip 'em a new one. My friends tell me, at least he offered sympathy. But I counter with that I was there to see his body language, his facial expressions. Have you ever had a boss that told you "Good job" without actually knowing what you do or what your job comprised of? I have seen the HR surveys and yes, people dislike empty words. Sure the bartender offered 'sympathy' but it felt curt and empty. But he was just doing his job.Of course when you are on someone else's property, you respect their rules. I picked up my things and left, walked over and got a burger at Porter House. This makes me wonder though, are restaurants that afraid of copy cats? Just next to Bar Masa is Per Se, arguably the best rated restaurant in New York City and I have see pictures of their food on other food blogs. Why is the chef of Per Se (Thomas Keller) unafraid of copy cats? No one else has ever stopped me from taking pictures before, and I never use flash to bother others inside a restaurant. What is the hold up?
This was not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, obviously. I am just a dude who takes pictures of his meals. And there will be other meals and other pictures. Can someone explain to me why Masa cannot just think like I do, and view it as not a big deal either. Because to him, photography must be a big deal. Honestly, is there a logical or rational reason for it, when other restaurants like Jean Georges and Per se allow pictures?
Posted by Danny on February 6 2008 at 11:59 am
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maybe Masa has some exclusivity agreement with a PR firm or some food photographer to be the exclusive photographer or the restaurant and its food? ok, maybe that's a stretch. Maybe he doesn't want unappetizing pictures of his food floating around.
Ang on February 6 2008 at 12:05 pm
No big deal, just the exception that proves the rule. I’m not sure it’s a story of copycats.
Image rights in USA are quite permissive. People have become increasingly aware of the value of their image rights. This restaurant recognise probably the power of the reputation as an encouragement to not allow pictures. Or just an easy way to avoid bad review even on a blog, I don’t know…
Deli on February 6 2008 at 7:35 pm
azerty keyboard, sorry for the convenience :)
Deli on February 6 2008 at 7:37 pm
Interesting. I've never been asked to stop taking photos in a restaurant before (although I do try and be as inconspicuous as possible). Maybe you should call/email them and ask!
Agnes on February 6 2008 at 8:47 pm
Restaurants or any eating establishments have stopped me several times because they're concerned about what you (or me) would say about their PR with their food. Sometimes you would have to go the long way with getting written permission from the manager of the place in order to get the photos!
It's a pain, but we all have to respect their wishes...and would lack a post on my part. :/
Tina on February 6 2008 at 9:30 pm
Ang,
Yea maybe he has a PR firm who does it all for them. And even if I had a chance to photograph the food, the only unappetizing part of it would have been how much it would have cost to buy the meal.
Deli,
You are probably right about the power of the reputation. A bad blog review never helps any restaurant, but it is just weird that other fine dining restaurants do not care! And I apologize about the characters not showing up, I should try to figure that out.
Agnes,
That is a good idea! I will try and be more inconspicuous next time but it is tough with a big camera. Maybe I can get good at it and go back. haha
Tina,
Oh wow, I have never encountered that. It is totally understandable about the PR issue. Oh well, there are enough restaurants to go around in the city even with some uptight places.
Dannyh on February 7 2008 at 11:23 am