Normalize for the true Yelp rating scale of 4 - 4.5 stars. Filter out anything below a 4 star rating. If a small business is unable achieve 4 stars on Yelp, then something must be really wrong.
My experience is that higher star ratings on Yelp equate mainly to presentation over taste and that higher prices tend to mean a better rating (Out of a few average Chinese food places, the higher priced one will be rated the highest).
If you assume an efficient market, they presumably wouldn't be able to charge a higher price if people didn't like them better. Of course, the average rater may care more about presentation than you do. A lot of people do go to restaurants more for the "experience" than for the food.
My experience is that higher star ratings on Yelp equate mainly to presentation over taste and that higher prices tend to mean a better rating (Out of a few average Chinese food places, the higher priced one will be rated the highest).