I’ve regularly read with amusement the restaurant reviews by James Schwartz; on Dec. 6, with amazement, too (“Dine Out Maine: Dinner becomes a sensual Southeast Asian experience at Temp Dulu,” Page E2).

Amusement because of the ofttimes-silly concoctions perpetrated on the public by apparently earnest chefs in search of artful surprises; amusement because of the sometimes-strained reviewer jargon akin to that of the New Yorker magazine’s deliberately and tediously clever “Table for Two.” (But Adam Gopnik, he ain’t.)

Amazement that reputedly frugal Maine couples would spend “well north of $150” for a single meal whose presentation appeared to be inspired by Andy Warhol. Amazement, too, that such a meal, pricey or otherwise, would arouse a “sensual” reaction.

Was this meal served in a brothel? Mr. Schwartz’s editor let it slide and the headline writer fell for it. I hope the reviewer meant “sensuous”; otherwise, don’t expect me to patronize Tempo Dulu.

A concluding note, not restricted to Mr. Schwartz’s efforts: Words have meanings; careful writers know with precision the meanings of words and expressions, their relationships to each other, their grammatical, syntactical, semantical and rhetorical functions.

A recommendation: A thorough and systematic review of English 101 for your entire staff, editors included. And you might allow your advertising copy writers to audit the class.

Ted Hargrove

Sanford

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