I’m the same way about places I don’t enjoy, or that I find okay. I tend to say the restaurant and/or food is fair , decent, meh or mediocre. Or I might mention I wouldn’t go out of my way for this particular restaurant, but it’s fine if you happen to be nearby.
I don’t bother mentioning places I wouldn’t return to, if they are in the 5/10- 7/10 zone. I would be likely to mention a place I’d consider to be a 3/10.
I don’t tend to write negative reviews. It’s already hard enough to be a restaurateur these days.
I might send a friend or acquaintance a warning about specific dishes I did not enjoy, or a place I wouldn’t bother with, through a direct message.
I will say, I’m not as fussy as some restaurant goers who post online. I am completely okay with takeout Chinese food and chain food. I can’t think of many meals in Montréal that I would call disappointing. Mediocre, a few. On my last trip in Nov 2019, everything was a 7/10 or better in my books. Same with my trip in May 2019. I suppose I change my expectations depending on the price point and style of the restaurant. I also don’t put much faith in other people’s recommendations because mileage varies so much.
I was more of a food snob 20 years ago than I am now.
