Wilfrid Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Ha, no. I don't think there are firm dividing lines between concepts like "set menu," "prix fixe," "tasting menu," "chef's menu," "menu surprise," and so on, and I know "table d'hote" has gone out of fashion. But I think the traditional "tasting menu" ("menu degustation" in French) tended to mean an extended tour through the specialties or signature dishes of the kitchen. Arguably, restaurants which offer only a tasting menu have departed from this tradition in any case, because it was really a way to taste small servings of lots of things on the carte. When it comes to a set meal of four or five courses (and the early courses at Contra and Alder, we can assume, will be about twice the size of an amuse bouche)--especially when it's a changing menu, which doesn't really reflect specialties of the house or chef--I think what we're really dealing with is just a four or five course dinner. (Three course dinners are a relatively recent invention.) Or, as it's a no choice selection, a "table d'hote". (I agree, of course, that the term tasting menu is now assumed to cover all these things. Just like appetizing restaurants are delis.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilfrid Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 WD-50, for example, served what I'd definitely call a tasting menu; in fact two--a tour through Wylie's greatest hits, or a tour through what the kitchen was currently doing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GerryOlds Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Thank you for laying that out -- I do think that Contra and places like it (that only offer one menu of multiple courses at a set price) need their own classification, if only because there are enough of them now. Alan Richman had that piece last year where he called it "Egotarian" food or something like that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lex Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Alan Richman had that piece last year where he called it "Egotarian" food or something like that. Richman. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adrian Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I think we're at the point where any five course plus meal is a "tasting menu". Whatever the distinctions stood for, I don't think they're meaningful anymore in North America. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilfrid Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Which is a pity--partly, indeed, because it prompts apple-orange comparisons, like those in Platt's list. It probably wouldn't be hard to find a four course dinner described as a "tasting menu." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SobaAddict70 Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 "Degustation" is your new marketing term. You're welcome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lex Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 "Degustation" is your new marketing term. You're welcome. Orik has already copyrighted his version - "disgustation." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SobaAddict70 Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Let's go with that, then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oakapple Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Pete Wells's successor posts his audition. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 God bless him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilfrid Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Oy, why does anyone need a homage to an In and Out burger? Nothing wrong with them, but this celebration (which increasingly extends to any kind of comfort food kids grew up with, hello Mac n Cheese ) is some kind of creepy infantilism. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LiquidNY Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 In-N-Out isn't even that good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lex Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 Oy, why does anyone need a homage to an In and Out burger? Nothing wrong with them, but this celebration (which increasingly extends to any kind of comfort food kids grew up with, hello Mac n Cheese ) is some kind of creepy infantilism. Coming soon - artisanal hot pockets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joethefoodie Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 In-N-Out isn't even that good. Actually, they are - for what they are. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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