Lunch set menu vs a la carte (at night)

[julot-les-pinceaux]

Host's Note: I split this off the topic of Ze Kitchen Galerie: A Revisit because I thought it merited a separate topic.

Pierre 45's original post said

Recently I revisited Ze kitchen gallery after a disappointing diner when it opened.

I went with John Talbot ready to point out how wrong he is when he talks in superlatives about Ze kitchen.

The lunch menu consisted of an entree,an a la plancha ,dessert and a glass of wine for 34 euros.I had poulpe aux citrons for an appetizer and pidgeon as the a la plancha choice.Well let me tell you it was heavenly.The pulpa which was marinated with 4 far eastern spices was crunchy and lemony and had a wonderful taste .The pidgeon was cooked rare,but was tender and succulent .Even the dessert was creative. a geometric cut of roasted mango that was yummy and refreshing.

So John was right, this is a wonderful restaurant and a great value at lunch.

Michelin's recent 1 star award is truly justified.

It's good to know that there are restaurants where the cheap lunch menu is the way to go. My ALC dinner sucked and was expensive.

Edited April 5, 2009 by John Talbott (log)

[PhilD]

It's good to know that there are restaurants where the cheap lunch menu is the way to go. My ALC dinner sucked and was expensive.

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I was going to add a post along the same lines. My first ALC dinner was pretty poor and I vowed not to return. However, the positive comments on the board made me think I had been on an off night, so I tried it again. Sadly, I came away disappointed.

But is it my imagination that whenever I read great reviews it is usually for the set menu that is only served at lunchtime. Is the food different at lunch? Or is the quality/price ratio better, thus making it a better experience?

However, I suspect that is coincidence, and really it is simply a matter of personal tastes, ZKG is one of those restaurants that polarise opinion. Some love and enjoy it, for others it doesn't appeal. And there is nothing wrong with that.

[John Talbott]

It's good to know that there are restaurants where the cheap lunch menu is the way to go. My ALC dinner sucked and was expensive.

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I don't consider 39 E to be "cheap." I think it's a good value like Clocher's 30 E.

But is it my imagination that whenever I read great reviews it is usually for the set menu that is only served at lunchtime. Is the food different at lunch? Or is the quality/price ratio better, thus making it a better experience?

Well since I eat 99% of my meals at lunch for reasons I've expressed before, my raves at lunch cannot be compared with PM meals or prices. There are places though, where say Phyllis assures me that the evening meal is much superior - she'd gave as examples Chateaubriand & MBC I believe.

However, I suspect that is coincidence, and really it is simply a matter of personal tastes, ZKG is one of those restaurants that polarise opinion. Some love and enjoy it, for others it doesn't appeal. And there is nothing wrong with that.

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I'd agree ZKG is a totally polarizing experience and I cannot explain it, although my first meal there I didn't go wild over. The reason Pierre and I went together (with spice) was so that we could settle once and for all our running argument.

[julot-les-pinceaux]

It's good to know that there are restaurants where the cheap lunch menu is the way to go. My ALC dinner sucked and was expensive.

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I don't consider 39 E to be "cheap." I think it's a good value like Clocher's 30 E.

It's cheap compared to their ALC prices. Smart boy.