rant: fine dining

[lukethedrifter]

I would've totally fallen for it and I'm positive that someone is going to open that very restaurant.

[docellis]

Frontenac is opening something (I think) called "The Nest" which is a restaurant, yoga studio, etc based on bringing kids to the place. Yearly membership is like $600.

[Freed Roger]

I missed this - last year Mama Campisi's on the Hill was in a Food Channel episode - here is the P-D review after the 2 day makeover.
http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/d ... 6023d.html

[tlombard]

I've been to Mama's for lunch a few times before the show and once since. Honestly, I never had any problems with them but I also tend to stick to just the basics. I've always thought the food/price was fine for what it is and where it is at.

The last time I was there the service was not good though. They had one person trying to do EVERYTHING in the front of the house at lunch. It was not working. We got lucky and he saw us walk in so we got seated but while we were there half a dozen others walked in, stood at the hostess station for up to five minutes and just left because the server was busy taking care of the other four tables in the place. They easily lost over $100 in food and one group of ladies were talking about wine and ready to drink. He was working his tail off and still costing them business because he couldn't constantly be manning the host station to seat people and taking orders and running food and refilling drinks, etc. When you could get him to the table he was fine but it took so long just to get anything. I wouldn't be shocked if he wasn't even doing some of the cooking since we didn't see one other employee.

That review you posted complained about the red sauce being too sweet, but there are times that I want just that and end up at Mama's. When I'm in the right mood, spaghetti and meatballs from Mama's was my go to a few years ago. I don't think I'll be going back though. Their problems to start with weren't the food but the people running the place. If the food is or has gone down hill it is a direct result of bad management losing money and cutting costs instead of fixing what is causing them to lose money.

Update: Got an email today that says they have raised $70k and only need $50k more by Feb 7 to stay in business. Who are these people ponying up $100 minimum with the confidence that they will still be in business in 2015 when they can finally start to use the gift certificates or that they'll be in business for the next 12 months to use their $10/month credit in the cafe? If they can't get money from a bank and have to go to the public and beg to pay 10% interest (basically what they are asking for is for people to lend them money for a year), that's probably not a risk I'd be willing to take but apparently there are lots of people who are. Good for them.

[tlombard]

Saturday some friends and I are suiting up and heading out for the evening just because. Anyone have any recommendations on steakhouses downtown or at least near there? The rest of the plans involve cigars at some place and then a couple of bars on Wash Ave. I would like to try Al's or Prime 1000 or one of the standby spots for fine steaks in town but I'm not sure if everyone can handle the prices at some of them. So far nobody except me has even offered a suggestion on where to go. Anyone know of a place in the downtown area where you can get a great steak if you are willing to pay for it but the others in the group can also eat without breaking the bank if needed? I want an Al's Steakhouse for those of us that can afford it for one night but also has an Outback menu for the people who can't afford Al's.

We have 10 guys saying they are in as of right now and there is no way I have 10 friends willing to pay $50+ for a steak so I assume that some will drop out unless we go to Applebee's (not an option this time). I am normally not and have never paid that much for a meal but I am willing to give it a try once just to see what it's all about I guess.

Normally Wash Ave. is not my deal but whatever. I actually like throwing on a suit (one of the few times I feel confident in my appearance since I'm a fat arse) and I like large slabs of beef. I could do without Wash Ave. and cigars but I can always leave early if I want.

[lukethedrifter]

Shannon's?

[jim]

I like Shannon's. Every time I've been there I've gotten a good steak, a good potato, a good salad, and the beer was cold.

[tlombard]

Wow. I can't believe Shannon's never actually crossed my mind. I completely blocked out anything south of Keiner Plaza. Time to add that to my list of suggestions. I also hadn't thought of Tucker's. I have a feeling that Tucker's will win out based on price alone. I kind of want to try somewhere a bit pricier and that I've never been before but majority is going to rule in this case.

[haltz]

I'd rather go to Tucker's than Prime 1000 regardless of price if that helps

[tlombard]

I've never had a bad experience at Tucker's so I'll be perfectly happy if that is where we end up. I'm drooling over the pictures on their website as we speak actually.

I've always avoided the really expensive places because I have a hard time believing the meal is really worth it but one of these days I'm going to check one out for myself. I want to see what these food snobs know that I don't. Who knows, maybe after spending $100 on a meal for myself I'll be converted to food snobbery and agree with the people who claim Applebee's isn't fit to be consumed and shouldn't even be called food. I just want to punch those people in the face.