> The solution is classification instead of ranking.
> I am more interested in a Mediterranean place that cooks falafel to order and has tahini sauce than I am in a 4-star Mediterranean restaurant.
However, just because a Mediterranean place cooks falafel to order and has tahini sauce doesn't mean that they cook the falafel well, that the service is decent, etc.
I'm also personally _more_ interested in the availability of falafel and tahini sauce than the number of stars a restaurant has, but I use the ranking/reviews to determine which place would be the most enjoyable to eat at. 70% of the Mediterranean restaurants near me may offer falafel, the question is which of them will not be a subpar experience. Unfortunately rankings/reviews definitely aren't always correct, hence this conversation, but I definitely think they still have a place.
Personally I weigh a high number of positive, detailed reviews with photos over the number of stars a restaurant has.
If you're ever in Raleigh, NC, you'll find the best Mediterranean (specifically Lebanese) at Neomonde/Sitti/Sassool (they are all owned by the same family[1]). In my mind, Neomonde is a local treasure.
> I am more interested in a Mediterranean place that cooks falafel to order and has tahini sauce than I am in a 4-star Mediterranean restaurant.
However, just because a Mediterranean place cooks falafel to order and has tahini sauce doesn't mean that they cook the falafel well, that the service is decent, etc.
I'm also personally _more_ interested in the availability of falafel and tahini sauce than the number of stars a restaurant has, but I use the ranking/reviews to determine which place would be the most enjoyable to eat at. 70% of the Mediterranean restaurants near me may offer falafel, the question is which of them will not be a subpar experience. Unfortunately rankings/reviews definitely aren't always correct, hence this conversation, but I definitely think they still have a place.
Personally I weigh a high number of positive, detailed reviews with photos over the number of stars a restaurant has.