I had an idea for a website that features only local restaurant reviews for my city thinks it's worth my time? or is this too commoditized? -- guess i have to work on my spelling... can't even spell website!!!
2 things jump to mind... 1. Gotta try this great place...signed the owner, waiter, cook, dishwasher. 2. Place is terrible...signed disgruntled employee, the competition. I think it would work IF AND ONLY IF the reviews were honest (not just marketing hype) or just listed an overview (type of food, price range, etc.). My newspaper "reviews" restaurants - they should be honest and call them advertisements. Where I used to live did real reviews by an anonymous diner. If it was bad they said so.
I think it could work but it seems like everytime I look for a review online, it's always the negative people. If something goes bad, people always go out of their way to post about it, but if it's the other way around and it's a positive experience, people don't tend to post as much. Like anything, I say work hard at it and spread the word.
Now that i've given it some thought, I think there's too much competition to even bother in this area!