# What would you order from this menu? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 3, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766 "2010-12-03T04:51:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/201 "2010-12-06T02:16:43Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > It’s amazing how difficult it is to get a good burger in Seattle. Belltown, anyway. Try the burger at the Palace Kitchen. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been there, but the burger was very good and the wings were amazing. Speaking of which, Tom Douglas is another one of those chefs who’s good at reconstructing comfort food. For example, there was this one time where I was eating a dish of celeriac ravioli with duck confit and I kept thinking _Y’know, this tastes familiar somehow, if I could only figure out what…ohmigod, it’s chicken noodle soup!_ ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/202 "2010-12-06T02:23:43Z")
> [@Hunter\_Hawk](#): > > Try the burger at the Palace Kitchen. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been there, but the burger was very good and the wings were amazing. > Speaking of which, Tom Douglas is another one of those chefs who’s good at reconstructing comfort food. For example, there was this one time where I was eating a dish of celeriac ravioli with duck confit and I kept thinking _Y’know, this tastes familiar somehow, if I could only figure out what…ohmigod, it’s chicken noodle soup!_ Okay, first of all: Celeriac ravioli with duck confit sounds amazing. BUT, if it tastes like chicken noodle soup that seems kind of lame. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/203 "2010-12-06T02:28:22Z")
Thanks for the tip. Palace Kitchen is two blocks from the office. They’re not open for lunch though. And 15 clams is a bit much for a burger. I found a photo, and it didn’t look that special. I’d rather go to Two Bells Tavern, pay half as much, and use plenty of napkins. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/204 "2010-12-06T02:35:18Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Okay, first of all: Celeriac ravioli with duck confit sounds amazing. BUT, if it tastes like chicken noodle soup that seems kind of lame. No, the point is that it’s _evocative_ of chicken noodle soup, not that it tastes _just like_ it. The idea is to have something that tastes good in and of itself, but to also work on a meta level. ETA: > [@Johnny L. A.](#): > > And 15 clams is a bit much for a burger. Wow, I guess it _has_ been a while–the last time I had the burger, it was 10 or 11 bucks. It’s good, but yes I’d be hesitant to pay 15 for it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/205 "2010-12-06T02:46:30Z")
> [@Hunter\_Hawk](#): > > Wow, I guess it _has_ been a while–the last time I had the burger, it was 10 or 11 bucks. It’s good, but yes I’d be hesitant to pay 15 for it. I might do once, just to try it. Only I’d hate to miss the last bus to the Park & Ride. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/206 "2010-12-06T03:10:15Z")
> [@OleOneEye](#): > > I’ve waded through the replies and given the matter some more thought. > > There have been some very good points raised. Of course I’m not going to change everything about the restaurant, but I’m open to changing some things. > > Some examples: > > - There will almost certainly be a chocolate dessert, probably an American-style moist chocolate layer cake with buttercream frosting. > > - I’m on the fence about steaks and burgers, but I’d likely add a nice piece of pork - maybe a pork chop or a boston butt steak - and some meatballs/meatloaf and gravy. > > - I could offer an assortment of sides, re-using some of the more unsual root vegetables in different preparations, and add some more veggie sides. > > - It sounds like there are some main dishes that don’t really work as main dishes. One thing I’m considering is reformatting this as mostly a small plates menu, making the sides a la carte items, and maybe having a small selection of mix-and-match combination plates, like the “Dinner” section on [this menu](http://lotno3.com/LOT_No3_Menu.pdf). > > Thank you for all the thoughtful replies. I was mostly looking for statistics - the discussion has been a helpful bonus. > > This restaurant is still very early in the planning stages. If it happens at all, this is years out. > > In the meantime, back to the drawring board. I may need to find inexpensive, low-risk ways of test-marketing the food locally. > > Again, thanks all! Good post. I think you’re on the right track with the adjustments you’re considering. > [@OleOneEye](#): > > (Also, it’s not important, but I’m a she.) Thanks for the clarification. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/207 "2010-12-06T03:24:39Z")
> [@OleOneEye](#): > > - I could offer an assortment of sides, re-using some of the more unsual root vegetables in different preparations, and add some more veggie sides. I think this is a good idea. Looking at the menu I was thinking “Well, what if I wanted the chicken but with the yam fries?” Your repeat customers might want to try the entree they liked before with a different side dish, or the side dish they liked before with a different entree. And there will always be people who don’t like this or that, or who need something that better fits their diet. Since your proposed dessert menu already includes three different types of ice cream as part of other dishes, you may also want to consider listing just ice cream as a dessert option. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/208 "2010-12-06T04:30:46Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Good call. There’s a lot to be said for straightforward and kickass food. On the episode of No Reservations where Bourdain was in San Fransisco, the thing he seemed to rave about the most was the old school, prime-rib and vegetable, un-hip, and martini soaked House of Prime Rib. Sometimes a chef can defy your expectations simply by being unexpectedly good - and leave the mango chutney infused pickled hash browns at home. I thought that was in Los Angeles? Although I absolutely adore the classic beef house Prime Rib, Caesar Salad, Baked Potato and Cheesecake dessert. Nice red wine, and coffee with dessert. It works for me - I tend to eat about 4 oz of the rib, the salad and about half the potato, and nibble on the cheesecake and take the leftovers home and sort it out into 2 more meals =) We are doing Christmas dinner at the [Red Osier](http://www.redosier.com/index1.html) in Batavia [might have sound on their website, i tried to get a link without it but am not sure i succeeded]- although given my mom’s alzheimers we may do something silly like order it all to go and having a nice spread of it at home. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/209 "2010-12-06T04:45:23Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I thought that was in Los Angeles? Nope, SF. I’ve never been, but it’s on my list if I’m ever in San Fransisco. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/210 "2010-12-06T16:24:30Z")
I consider myself a foodie, I’m not afraid to eat anything, and I knew what everything on the menu was. As it stands, there’s nothing there that would make me go to the restaurant, even with the last proposed changes. I should add, price has nothing to do with it, those prices seemed OK. Also, I have no problem with fruit + meat, it’s almost \*the \*defining characteristic of both my native Cape Malay cuisine and the medieval cuisine I cook often. If I went there in a group on someone else’s decision, I’d have dumpling soup, roasted chicken and rose mousse (although I think rose calls for more of a panna cotta or bavarian cream than a mousse). Why I wouldn’t eat there by choice: I’m a Slow Food gourmet, and while some of the ingredients do speak to the Seattle vernacular (plums, apples, salmon, crab) they’re either taken over by IMO wilfully-odd pairings which destroy that vernacular element (crab+cheese=no thanks), don’t guarantee sustainable sourcing (the salmon) or else incorporate exotics when a local variant will do (taro? When you have ozettes?). Also, \*way \*too much chilli/pepper-as-a-vegetable for my liking. I prefer it as a spice if you’re not doing ethnic, and even then, it really, really doesn’t say “Seattle” to me. And since you’re insisting you’re _not_ doing a themed restaurant, _some_ sort of local grounding should be there to attract me. The only restaurants I give a (grudging) locavore pass to are ethnic ones. And what the hey do you have against red meat \*and \*vegans? If not beef, why not at least local venison? Why _no_ vegan options at all? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/211 "2010-12-06T18:08:30Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > We are doing Christmas dinner at the [Red Osier](http://www.redosier.com/index1.html) in Batavia [might have sound on their website, i tried to get a link without it but am not sure i succeeded]- although given my mom’s alzheimers we may do something silly like order it all to go and having a nice spread of it at home. I’m assuming you’re visiting? Because I live near Batavia and we’re nowhere near eastern Connecticut. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/212 "2010-12-06T20:58:02Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I consider myself a foodie, I’m not afraid to eat anything, and I knew what everything on the menu was. As it stands, there’s nothing there that would make me go to the restaurant, even with the last proposed changes. I should add, price has nothing to do with it, those prices seemed OK. Yes, I agree with this, but the OP asked what I would eat off that menu… I agree I would look at this menu and bypass the restaurant and I think a good 90% of the population might pass as well. I don’t eat desserts and the rest of the menu is muddled and unappetizing, but if I were forced to eat there, I’d maybe try three things off the menu, willingly. ---
**Author:** ![luv2draw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@luv2draw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luv2draw)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/213 "2010-12-06T21:38:30Z")
Ooooooooo… I’d like one of everything. NOW! Can you deliver to NJ? 😃 Ok, leave out the cookies & milk. I freakin’ hate licorice. Prices? I’m unemployed–for a long long time already. Are you treating? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/214 "2010-12-07T12:31:47Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’m assuming you’re visiting? Because I live near Batavia and we’re nowhere near eastern Connecticut. My Mom and brother live in Caledonia, we are there about once a month for the weekend. =) We like to hit it for dinner about once a year, my arteries can’t handle more than that! I did notice they are having a to go special this year, prime rib, bakes, salads to go $20 for 2 people. so that is going to work out perfectly. Mom, aruBro and I like rare to medium rare, and mrAru likes \ well done and it takes about 20 minutes to drive home from there, so if we pop the meat into a cooler to maintain the heat, it should get home just fine. If we get ours at rare, a quick touchup in the oven will bring it to medium rare and you can’t kill well done any worse by nuking it =) ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/215 "2010-12-07T12:34:19Z")
> [@luv2draw](#): > > Ooooooooo… I’d like one of everything. NOW! Can you deliver to NJ? 😃 Ok, leave out the cookies & milk. I freakin’ hate licorice. > > Prices? I’m unemployed–for a long long time already. Are you treating? 😉 Actually it is amazing how many people dislike licorice/anise flavors. I think it could be as a result of kids who have never had it before, grab a jelly bean or something and as it is a very strong and pronounced flavor, get thoroughly turned off at the strange and unusual taste. Or the way I got my dislike, too many medications when very young that used licorice as a masking flavor for nasty bitter medications. Any way of getting some other cookies n milk options in different flavors? ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/216 "2010-12-07T13:31:35Z")
I don’t think of milk and cookies as an appropriate moniker for any anise flavored dessert unless I am from “Eastern Europe” (demarcing along the Italian German linie.) or the middle East ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766/217 "2010-12-07T13:57:23Z")
I would eat ALL of your firsts, and call it a day. The rest of your menu is o.k. for the teeming masses, but I can make most of them at home…no offense… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-order-from-this-menu/562766.md?page=10)