Wednesday, September 17, 2008

How Much Would I Charge?

I was just looking at Leméac's menu and then started wondering: how much would I charge for what I cook in my own kitchen?

I haven't done the math on cost/overhead ratios, but here's what I probably would charge if I had my restaurant:

Nickburger (fresh-ground premium beef with Nick's special sauce: Japanese mayonnaise, garlic, ketchup, gherkins, white vinegar, Dijon) on an artisanal onion roll with 5-year-old cheddar cheese, red onion from a family plot in Japan, oven-fried Russett potatoes with drizzle of truffle oil: $18.95.

Garlic Shrimp with Tomato Linguine (12 large shrimp, tail on, sautéed in garlic from family plot in Japan, premium olive oil, shallots, Japanese sea salt and five-grain peppercorns, with homemade garlic linguine in a tomato/crême-fraiche sauce): $21.95

Magret de Canard au Miel (artisanal duck breast brined and briefly marinated in Chardonnay and garlic, then pan-fried in its own confit and garnished with a dijon honey-mustard sauce, served with parsley steamed rice) $22.85.

Hmm . . . am I way off-base? I'll make it for you guys any time (free of excess charges, of course. i.e. bring your own wine . . .
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6 comments:

  1. Erica the NinjaSeptember 17, 2008 at 6:29 AM

    Yum! Yeah, food is expensive. It is what keeps me from starting my cookie restaurant (:

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  2. ChefNickSeptember 17, 2008 at 9:28 AM

    Christ, recently I've gone shopping for a single meal and spent $60 for the right ingredients . . . okay, maybe it's enough for four and leftovers but it still stings! But let me tell you, it's always the best money I've ever spent, better than for useless electronics, eBay knickknacks, what have you . . . money to make food is ALWAYS well spent!

    And talk to me, talk to me about the cookie place. All things are possible!

    Nick

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  3. Erica the NinjaSeptember 17, 2008 at 7:14 PM

    Agreed. I would rather spend money on food than just about anything else.

    Ah...cookies. I thought it would be cool to one day have a cookie bakery (cookies and tea, actually). More like cookie laboratory. A place people would want to come every day just to chat and sample and bring the latest prize home. *sigh. Another life maybe.

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  4. coreyuSeptember 17, 2008 at 11:21 PM

    I'm in! When can I come?

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  5. Jim DonahueSeptember 19, 2008 at 9:03 AM

    Nothing makes me happier that a really good burger with potatoes.

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  6. ChefNickSeptember 19, 2008 at 9:27 AM

    Corey, which dish would you like? How about next week?

    Jim, I make the finest burgers known to humanity (or so I've been told).

    And my potatoes . . . to die for!

    Buzz on by any time . . .

    ReplyDelete