494 replies to this topic

[Adrian]

For reference, the Nomad chicken is not an a priori problem, correct? Nor the Balthazar chicken, right?

[oakapple]

For reference, the Nomad chicken is not an a priori problem, correct? Nor the Balthazar chicken, right?

The easiest comparison is Noodle Bar, where what appears to be a very similar meal is $75 less.

Price comparisons elsewhere are difficult, because the Ma Peche meal is for 4-8 guests. Now, if you bring 8, and if it's enough food, then it comes out to $22 per person, which is pretty good. For only four people, it's more expensive than either Balth or the NoMad.

Of course, there's the added inflexibility: you need to find at least four people who want a pre-reserved chicken dinner at the same date and time you do. You can somewhat understand it for something like a whole pig, which isn't served on every city block. It is harder to get excited about chicken, because there are plenty of terrific chickens all over town that you don't need to pre-reserve, and that don't require 4-8 people to coordinate their schedules.

[Adrian]

Sorry Wilfrid - thought you were referring to the Noodle fried chicken, didn't realize the Ma Peche one was fried as well. Yes, the pricing seems odd but not necessarily totally out of whack depending on the real quantity/quality of food. It should really distinguish itself from the Noodle option though. Equivalent price to the Nomad chicken for four and probably more food. So, again, not a priori objectionable depending on how you view the Nomad bird.

[oakapple]

It strikes me as a very ballsy price, which could be a good deal if the chicken turns out to be really good. And the inconvenience of having to pre-reserve it has a cost, too.

This isn't quite like Balthazar or Daniel Humm, both of whom have long since proved themselves. Ma Peche is a restaurant that has struggled somewhat, having just changed over its menu and installed a new, comparatively little known chef.

[Wilfrid]

For reference, the Nomad chicken is not an a priori problem, correct? Nor the Balthazar chicken, right?

The NoMad chicken, at $39 pp before tax and tip, is promoted as coming with black truffles, morels and foie gras. That immediately makes it a plausible proposition. It makes the Balthazar chicken ($36) look expensive.

Equivalent price to the Nomad chicken for four and probably more food. So, again, not a priori objectionable depending on how you view the Nomad bird.

Wait, the NoMad bird (for two) before tax and tip is $78. The two birds at Ma Peche (for four), $175. Where's the equivalence?

[Rich]

For reference, the Nomad chicken is not an a priori problem, correct? Nor the Balthazar chicken, right?

The NoMad chicken, at $39 pp before tax and tip, is promoted as coming with black truffles, morels and foie gras. That immediately makes it a plausible proposition. It makes the Balthazar chicken ($36) look expensive.

Equivalent price to the Nomad chicken for four and probably more food. So, again, not a priori objectionable depending on how you view the Nomad bird.

Wait, the NoMad bird (for two) before tax and tip is $78. The two birds at Ma Peche (for four), $175. Where's the equivalence?

KFC costs $1.49 and it tastes better than any of the above.

[joethefoodie]

"Beef 7 Ways" was discontinued a while ago. Three new large-format meals have replaced it: Chicken ($175; 4-8 guests), smoked lamb shoulder ($325; 6-10 guests), or both ($425; 10-12 guests).

I am having trouble wrapping my arm around $175 for two chickens, no matter how many sides come along with it. The chicken dinner at Noodle Bar is $100. It also comes with two chickens, and it also serves 4-8 guests.

Fuck that. I made a leg of lamb this weekend that would've fed maybe 10 - 12 (or more). It was from Ottomanelli's, and before it was trimmed it weighed over 10 lbs. Cost about $80. I think the chicken's a better deal.

[Rich]

"Beef 7 Ways" was discontinued a while ago. Three new large-format meals have replaced it: Chicken ($175; 4-8 guests), smoked lamb shoulder ($325; 6-10 guests), or both ($425; 10-12 guests).

I am having trouble wrapping my arm around $175 for two chickens, no matter how many sides come along with it. The chicken dinner at Noodle Bar is $100. It also comes with two chickens, and it also serves 4-8 guests.

Fuck that. I made a leg of lamb this weekend that would've fed maybe 10 - 12 (or more). It was from Ottomanelli's, and before it was trimmed it weighed over 10 lbs. Cost about $80. I think the chicken's a better deal.

True, but yours was better prepared, thus the price difference.

[Wilfrid]

would've fed maybe 10 - 12

What, if you hadn't got peckish?

[AaronS]

the noodle bar fried chicken is high twenties a head, which is kind of crazy if you think about it. the korean one is definitely better than kfc though, I'd be happy if they offered it on it's own.

[oakapple]

the noodle bar fried chicken is high twenties a head, which is kind of crazy if you think about it. the korean one is definitely better than kfc though, I'd be happy if they offered it on it's own.

I am guessing it's a strategy to limit supply. If they offered the Korean chicken on its own, for two, they'd probably sell far more of them than that small kitchen can turn out.

[oakapple]

In its first post-Cheshes review, Time Out's Jordana Rothman takes a look at Kappo, the dining-counter-within-a-restaurant at Momofuku Ko, awarding three stars.

[joethefoodie]

At that price ($95 for 10 courses) these days, it sure seems like a steal.

[Wilfrid]

I seem to recall she's the dining editor.  Wonder if she's a temporary fill-in.

[oakapple]

I seem to recall she's the dining editor.  Wonder if she's a temporary fill-in.

 

They said last week that it's temporary.