LTHForum.com

I. Overview of the LTHForum Great Neighborhood Restaurant Program

The Great Neighborhood Restaurant Program is designed to recognize Chicagoland restaurants that the LTHForum community considers “great” – in other words, places that provide a food experience that is distinctly “better than the rest.” Some of these restaurants might be hole-in-the-wall joints; others might be fancy-pants culinary temples. If the place provides a great food experience, any LTHForum community member can nominate it. Restaurants that are approved will receive a window sign suitable for display with the LTHForum.com logo and the current year.

Restaurants are reviewed for renewal every two years after their initial nomination to make sure they continue to be deserving.

The Great Neighborhood Restaurant Program, usually known as the GNRs, was started in 2005. The GNRs grew out of circumstance – as the Forum grew it became cluttered with the same requests for recommendations over and over again. Over the years, members tried different approaches to address this need, and finally, the GNR program was developed. The program serves two primary purposes: to generate a local culinary guide for the more adventurous eater, and to support lesser-known places that offer a rich culinary experience. The program also offers participating LTHForum members a mechanism for culinary discussion, recognition for places they love, and a reminder of worthy old favorites that might otherwise fall by the wayside.

Following is detailed information on the GNR program and process, which will be updated as it evolves with the program.

Section II. What is and can be a Great Neighborhood Restaurant?
Section III. Nominations of new GNRs
Section IV. Selection of the GNRs
Section V. Renewal of GNRs
Section VI. The GNR Committee
Section VII. Role of LTH dinners during open renewal or nomination periods in selecting new, and renewing old, GNRs
Section VIII. Other notes on the GNR process

II. What is and can be a GNR?

Over the history of the GNRs, no topic has been more contentious than the definition of a Great Neighborhood Restaurant. Discussion, and the evolving definition of a GNR, has centered on three primary issues – really, the three words in GNR.

What is Great?

This is the most subjective term, continually redefined by the active members of LTHForum.com. Simply put, greatness is defined by the consensus among members of LTHForum. Peer review is the central concept of the GNR program – we believe in the wisdom and taste of LTHForum members, and in the process of visiting a place, posting on your experience, and then discussing, and sometimes, debating, the wealth of shared experiences to come to a consensus of opinion.

There are some major differences between this process and other reviews or guide books. Specifically, we rely on the wisdom and experiences of the entire membership (7000+ as of this writing and growing, and hundreds of very active members). Unlike Zagat and some other guides, these opinions serve as a springboard for further discussion and fine-tuning. So Great means one member loves a place enough to nominate it, and the consensus among other members is that it merits a GNR designation.

Great means that each GNR will deliver a reliably excellent dining experience for that type of place.

There are also some things that Great does not mean in the context of the GNR program.
• Great does not necessarily mean it is one of the best restaurants in Chicago.
• Great does not necessarily mean a place is the best in its class.
• Great does not exclude a certain style of restaurant over another, for instance, a taqueria may be considered great as well as a high-end steakhouse.
• Great does not mean that every dish on each menu is wonderful – there are some places chosen on the basis of one, or a small number of dishes. It is important that you read why a place is a GNR to know what is Great about it.
• In some cases, Great does not even mean that the food is wonderful. A Great diner may offer good eggs, nice meat, decent grilled stuff, and a heaping serving of character, charm and atmosphere, and be great mostly for those last three.

• Great does mean that the members of LTHForum find there to be something very special about a place, but if you want to experience that Greatness, you should be sure to read what they have written about the place.

What is a “neighborhood” for the GNRs?

For the GNRs, Neighborhood means two things.

Geographically, a GNR may be any place that you can drive to from State and Madison, have an enjoyable meal, and drive back in the same day. We like to explore, and to eat well when we are exploring, so we see no reason to be more limiting. And we are not checking on distances and times – we trust the members who nominate places to understand and abide by this geographic limitation. A neighborhood is more about community than location. For the purpose of the GNRs, the community is LTHForum itself; therefore, any place that LTHers find themselves gathering to eat could be considered a “neighborhood.” This part of the designation is less about restricting the program and more about ensuring it is open to the Chicagoland community at large. “Neighborhood” does not mean, however, that we can or should judge how much a place is part of, or contributes to, its community in the real world. Some GNRs are great in part because of how they relate to their neighborhood, and that is part of why LTHers love them. But that is a personal determination made by each LTHForum member, and not by the GNR program.

What is the "R"?

Surprisingly, what seems like the simplest term has been the most contentious. Every year, a new nomination would further stretch the definition of Restaurant, until in the new nominations of 2008 it broke. A nomination was excluded because it did not logically fit into even the loosest definition of the term restaurant.

As a result, starting in 2009, we decided to codify the definition of this word. For the Great Neighborhood Restaurants, a Restaurant is any place where we go primarily to get ready-to-eat food or drink. Specifically, it is any place that fits into the categories defined by the places that were already GNRs as of January 1, 2009. While we generally wish to leave it to the posters and nominators to determine the category of a place, based on tradition so far, bakeries shall be considered Restaurants for the GNRs.

Starting with the 2009 fall nomination period for new GNRs, there is a second category - Great Neighborhood Resources. Any places that fall outside the Restaurant category defined above, but that are still sufficiently prized as culinary resources by the members of LTHForum to be deemed Great can now be GNRs as well. We will continue with the tradition of a master list of all GNRs, but the Resources will be separated and clearly identified on this list. For future nominations, we expect the nominator to suggest the proper category, though it may also be part of the discussion of the nomination. In cases when the decision on a category is not clear cut, the preference of the nominator will be given the most weight, though the GNR Committee will make the final decision.

Existing GNRs will not be re-categorized. The name GNR will not be changed and will continue to be the name for the entire program. These things have been discussed at some length, and to maintain sanity and not discard the recognition the program has built over the years, we believe this is the right way to go.

Yes, we believe and expect there will be further constraints on what can be a Great Neighborhood Resource - we would not expect that a laundromat would be chosen, for example. But, rather than try to set up rules now to cover nominations that will never be made, we are just going to let this develop and follow the lead of the LTHForum membership. After all, if a nomination needs to have a board following to become a GNR, that already sets a pretty strict limit on possible Great Neighborhood Resources. And when someone pushes that limit, we expect the membership will guide us to the proper decision.

III. Nominations of new GNRs

New Great Neighborhood Restaurants are nominated and selected once a year. The GNRs receive the designation for two years – the current year of the nomination, and the following year (examples follow). After the second year, the GNR is automatically nominated for renewal.

Schedule

• The nomination and renewal schedule tends to change a bit from year to year, but it currently looks like this (all dates are approximate):
• New nominations generally open September 15.
• New Nominations may be posted for two weeks, after which their nominations threads are open for discussion for an additional two weeks. New GNRs are announced approximately two weeks after the close of nominations. The announcement is made at a dinner open to all nominees, LTHForum Members and the press, followed by online posting of the new GNRs and a press release. More information on the process and events is in later sections of this thread.
• Renewals open approximately Feburary 15 and the renewal threads (which are automatically generated) are open for comments for three weeks.
• A new GNR selected in the Fall of 2008 will be designated a 2008-2009 GNR and will be up for renewal in the Spring of 2010. If renewed, it will receive a certificate designating it a 2010-2011 GNR and be up for renewal in the Spring of 2012. Roughly speaking, 50% of all GNRs are up for renewal every year.

Guidelines for nominations

We trust that any place you nominate is a place you truly love. The only reason to make a nomination should be because you are passionate about the place for one or many reasons, and think it truly Great.
To nominate a place to be a GNR, you must be a registered member of LTHForum.com. Every LTHForum member is entitled to nominate one and only one place to become a GNR every year. This limitation is not specific to category; with the introductions of the GNR-O category, you can still only nominate one place per nomination cycle, and not one in each category.
There are numerous reasons for this limitation, but we believe there are two that are most important. First, we have chosen to limit nominations in part to give everyone an opportunity to contribute on a more equal footing. There are knowledgeable and prolific posters on LTHForum whose opinion we value but who may dominate the conversation; without any limitation on nominations they might come to dominate the GNR nominations as well. The other reason is that we want to keep the list to a manageable size where a large portion of LTHers are able to sample many of the places, and by judging for themselves and posting about it, assure a higher level of quality.

Please also see the following section on Selection of the GNRs for more information about what makes a nominated place a GNR.

IV. Selection of the GNRs

This section addresses specific criteria for new GNRs as well as some shared criteria and processes for both renewals and new GNRs. The following section addresses criteria and process that are specific to renewals.

What makes a nomination a GNR

Two things that are true about LTHForum members – we love to eat, and we love to discuss food. A successful nomination of a GNR almost always starts with a discussion that predates the nomination. A successful nomination has a track record of positive posts by a number of members on LTHForum.
In principle, a place could build that track record with posts after the nomination, but that is rarely, if ever, successful.
Not every post needs to be positive. We do not all like the same places, and it is to be expected that GNRs – places with strong character and style – will not be to everyone’s taste. If there is not at least one place on the GNR list that you just don’t get, you probably need to sample more GNRs. But the majority of the posts should be positive. For this reason and others, newly-opened restaurants are at an unfair disadvantage for GNR designation, as the body of information on LTHForum is necessarily smaller. It is easier for a place that has been around for a while to become a GNR than a new place. Places evolve over time, concepts can change, as can quality of ingredients, prices or serving sizes. On the other hand, some are really special, and it is impossible to imagine how they might change. In considering the nomination of a new place, the members of LTHForum have shown a degree of caution with most new places.
These rules are flexible and continue to evolve and change based on the current sentiment on the Board each year. Selection is based on the track record and consensus of written posts on the Board. The way in which the members of LTHForum view places can and does change over time, even if the place does not change at all. A trailblazing, regional Mexican spot may be surpassed by a profusion of other Mexican places that do similar things, but better. There is a context to being deemed great, and the context changes over time.
We want the list to be varied in geography, cuisine, price point and everyr way we can think of. So the criteria for a place that is unique in some way or in a location that has no or few GNRs up until now may be more relaxed than for, for example, another Italian place on the Near North Side, for example. A key part of the unique charm and value of the GNR list is its eclectic, even idiosyncratic nature. Sure, the list is skewed to ethnic joints in and around downtown Chicago, but great places are not limited to, or even necessarily most concentrated in those locations. Part of the joy of eating adventurously is the opportunity it presents to explore different cultures and places through food. We want the GNRs to encourage people to explore.
We also understand that our membership is concentrated in certain areas, so a place on the Near North Side will be posted about more than one in Merrillville, Indiana. Places in any location need to be great to become GNRs, so the positive flavor of the track record should be the same, but the place in Merrillville may qualify with fewer posts than would be required for the place on the Near North Side. No offense meant to the Near North Side.
There are not and will not be any numerical formulas counting and weighting number of posts, positive and negative words and the track records of those posting the words to automatically determine whether a nomination is to be successful. We are not Zagat and do not want to be Zagat. We consider the GNR review process to be a qualitative versus quantitative one, because eating and enjoying food are not objective experiences. We do not believe it is a good idea to let formulae run the program.

The selection process

GNRs are first nominated, or automatically put up for renewal, after their current two-year term has ended. Once the nomination post is opened, the entire membership of LTHForum is invited to post on it. The nomination thread should include links to all other threads or even posts on the potential/renewing GNR, in other words, the track record of the nominated place. All posts, whether in the nomination thread or in other threads on LTHForum are considered when offering the GNR designation.
Beyond an introduction of your nomination, the only time that it is truly necessary to post something in the nomination thread in addition to whatever you may have posted elsewhere is for a renewal. If your last post predates the current GNR period, and you have continued to frequent a place but saw no reason to post since it has remained the same, this is the time to say something. It may be as simple as, “I still go to Bob’s regularly and nothing has changed,” but we need to know you still go and find the place as Great as always, otherwise it may not be renewed. Please also see the following post for more about renewals.
While information available from sources other than LTHForum is welcome and may influence the posts made on LTHForum, it is not considered in selecting/renewing GNRs. While this may offer information that other posters value, we cannot and do not plan to evaluate opinions from other sources. We feel this is the only practical way to ensure that the GNR list is a reflection of LTHForum.
Once nominations/renewals are closed, the GNR Committee (for more detail on who they are, see the post on the GNR Committee below) reviews all the written information on the boards for each nominee/renewal, and then ratifies the nominations based on the consensus of the board.

The GNR Committee may not take into account any opinions not publicly posted on LTHForum, including their own. The determination on a nomination/renewal is based solely on the Committee’s view of the track record and consensus on LTHForum.

Why a committee? Our answer is that it seems the best and simplest way to do this. The Committee has many duties, (See post below) including assuring that no one has gamed the system to gain GNR status for an undeserving place. And we are happy to say that over 95% of all nominations are pretty clear, one way or the other - but every year there are at least a couple of nominations and renewals that could go either way, and a decision has to be made.
The Committee also tries to bring a high level of flexibility and sensitivity to the evolving view of the GNR criteria. We hold public discussions on the subject, open to all LTHForum members. The Committee reviews our criteria, discusses and agrees upon any changes we see in the criteria based on recent public discussions, reads all the posts on each nominee, and then we apply those criteria to each place’s track record.

V. Renewal of GNRs

A GNR designation is effective for 2 years, after which it is automatically renominated during the Spring renewal cycle; e.g. a place that is designated a Great Neighborhood Restaurant in the Fall of 2007 will be re-nominated in the Spring of 2009, and, if ratified, again in the Spring of 2011, etc. We do this to make sure the places chosen still have the magic that captivated LTHForum posters in the first place. In short, a restaurant – or the way we feel about it – may change drastically over time. The renewal process ensures that the GNR list represents both current and prevailing views of the board.
While GNR renewals do not go through the nomination process, we encourage posters to participate in the same spirited discussion on the pertinent threads as we have during nomination season. The GNR committee will review recent posts on each restaurant up for renewal, both on the renewal threads and the forum at large, and will ratify each renewal based on the consensus of the board.
Since interest in any place tends to wane over time, the primary criteria for renewal are that the GNR has continued to operate at the same, or a higher level, retaining its same magic. To determine this we look for a number of members to confirm that they continue to dine there and find the place as good as or better than 2 years ago. But we do not expect the same level of posts as for a new GNR.

VI. The GNR Committee

The GNR committee is comprised entirely of volunteers, including board moderators and individuals who responded to requests for GNR volunteers. Each committee member is responsible to review what has been posted about each nominee and renewal and then come to agreement on the Board consensus as to whether a place deserves the GNR designation.
In addition, the GNR committee is responsible for the administrative work of the GNRs, including but not limited to: maintaining the GNR board, creating and delivering the GNR award packets, communicating with the press, communicating with LTHForum, organizing the GNR awards dinner, and creating and maintaining the GNR list and pocket guide. Currently, the GNR committee is comprised of Dicksond, Ramon, stevez, David Hammond, G Wiv, Cathy2, ronnie_suburban, Mhays and Santander. Aside from the Moderators and the GNR Czar (dicksond) who currently serve until removed, each volunteer agrees to serve for one year and may be renewed each year for another year. The total number of GNR Committee members is not fixed. Mostly, it is driven by how much work the program requires and the number of people who volunteer.
As everything on LTHForum, the GNRs are a volunteer-driven enterprise and we are always looking for more help. If you are interested in supporting the GNR process, please contact Dicksond by pm. We can always use more hands to help!

VII. Role of LTH dinners during open renewal or nomination periods in selecting new, and renewing old, GNRs

The desire to enjoy and discuss the places our boardmates recommend is central to the culture of LTHForum. To that end, we encourage board members to organize and post about meals whenever they wish, including during nominations and renewals and to add to the discussion on the appropriate thread (either in the GNR nominations or on the dining boards – the choice is yours). This accomplishes several things: although a GNR should have an existing board track record to be considered, the GNR process is designed in part to drive business to restaurants that are deserving of more attention. Organized events during the nomination period may allow a previously hidden culinary gem to come further into the light. Organized meals during the GNR process may provide posters with the impetus to dine outside their geographic or culinary comfort zones to experience something new and, hopefully, great. In addition, organized meals offer a chance to reacquaint ourselves with old culinary friends and find something new to say about them.
It should go without saying that LTHers should not accept complimentary food or service during this process; further, it if at all possible, dinner organizers and guests should not disclose they are from LTHForum and that the restaurant is under consideration for a GNR until after the bill is paid. On rare occasions it is indelicate to refuse a freebie, posters must disclose any gratis items or preferential treatment when posting about an experience at a restaurant.

VIII. Other notes on the GNR process

It has become tradition to reveal the new GNRs at an awards banquet, arranged by the GNR Committee. Due to limitations of room size and cost, priority seating is given to the winning restaurants, their nominators, press, and the GNR committee – remaining tickets are open to the board on a first-come, first-serve basis. As with any large-scale event by an all-volunteer organization, the cost of the dinner is covered in some small part by donations, and in large part by the LTH members who attend, including nominators and the GNR Committee. We make every effort to encourage winning restaurants to send a representative, and to ensure that the nominator is available to present their certificate without spoiling the surprise before the event.
The GNR elves have been busy reformatting the GNR pocket guide PDF to keep it current with all the new GNRs and renewals. Thousands of people have downloaded the pocket guide PDF, for use while traveling all over the city.
Each GNR winner receives an award packet containing a framed GNR certificate with quotes culled from LTHForum, a window sticker or two, a copy of the GNR poster, and a press kit. Award packets are created and assembled by the GNR committee. The current GNR Poster is now available to order online. Profits from the sale of the poster, if any (and we hope there will be some one of these days) will help offset some of the expenses involved with running the GNR program. This year's poster is available in both a limited edition, signed 13 X 19 poster (poster limited to 100 prints, over 70 of which were given away at the GNR dinner) for $20, and a smaller 8 X 10 print for $10. The price includes delivery.