Discussion
Roman Rhodes said:
R Mutt said:
C70R said:
Again with the "overpriced" stuff. I'm really struggling to understand it.
Starters for £5-7 and mains for £10-15 are marginally more expensive than Harvester or Nando's.
What were these people expecting?
Overpriced for something out the microwave, compared to cheaper authentic Italian with a freshly cooked massive portion, and higher end places where you can still get a main for 15 quid.Starters for £5-7 and mains for £10-15 are marginally more expensive than Harvester or Nando's.
What were these people expecting?
Applies to all chains of that ilk really. The Ivy is a chain now butt how can you compare that to Jamie's at the same price?
Edited by R Mutt on Friday 23 August 10:58
Where are you getting "cheaper authentic Italian with a freshly cooked massive portion"?
I'd be almost certain that the new Ivy chains are sourcing loads of their produce from EXACTLY the same place as Jamie's Italian did.
It's just that the Ivy doesn't have a figurehead that people seem to love to hate.
R Mutt said:
Well I was responding with comparisons in the £15 main bracket which is supposedly standard.
Literally anywhere.
Name a town
We're not talking about indie restaurants here.Literally anywhere.
Name a town
Edited by R Mutt on Friday 23 August 12:48
The people who eat at Jamie's are also the people who eat at Zizzi/Strada/Ivy etc.
I could name 100s of great indie restaurants, but most of them wouldn't have space for 8ppl and a pushchair at 2pm on a Saturday.
You're thinking too much about your preferences, rather than those of people who eat at Jamie's.
Incidentally, I could also name 100s of garbage indie restaurants. Not sure that tells/proves anything.
C70R said:
Nail on the head.
I'd be almost certain that the new Ivy chains are sourcing loads of their produce from EXACTLY the same place as Jamie's Italian did.
It's just that the Ivy doesn't have a figurehead that people seem to love to hate.
Mr Caring isn't the most lovable character in the world though and on balance I'd suggest JO has probably put a little more in to society given RC is PGs long term oppo and alleged sweat shop exploiter.I'd be almost certain that the new Ivy chains are sourcing loads of their produce from EXACTLY the same place as Jamie's Italian did.
It's just that the Ivy doesn't have a figurehead that people seem to love to hate.
Such are the vagaries of populism though as you allude to.
100% agreed on the sourcing too.
He's not exactly got the Midas touch right now either as Bill's is in a right old mess.
R Mutt said:
Wow. Wasn't expecting to see somewhere I knew.Went a couple of times when I was dating a girl who lived in Penge.
Decent enough, but highly rated (I suspect) because it's cheap in an area of London where people don't have much money.
Brooking10 said:
C70R said:
Nail on the head.
I'd be almost certain that the new Ivy chains are sourcing loads of their produce from EXACTLY the same place as Jamie's Italian did.
It's just that the Ivy doesn't have a figurehead that people seem to love to hate.
Mr Caring isn't the most lovable character in the world though and on balance I'd suggest JO has probably put a little more in to society given RC is PGs long term oppo and alleged sweat shop exploiter.I'd be almost certain that the new Ivy chains are sourcing loads of their produce from EXACTLY the same place as Jamie's Italian did.
It's just that the Ivy doesn't have a figurehead that people seem to love to hate.
Such are the vagaries of populism though as you allude to.
100% agreed on the sourcing too.
He's not exactly got the Midas touch right now either as Bill's is in a right old mess.
Most of the smaller chains are becoming very resentful of Uber/Deliveroo too.
C70R said:
The whole industry is in a right old mess at the moment. I don't know a single restauranteur who isn't stressed to death.
Most of the smaller chains are becoming very resentful of Uber/Deliveroo too.
AgreedMost of the smaller chains are becoming very resentful of Uber/Deliveroo too.
The delivery thing is a real headache.
Operators are handing over 30% margin and compromising their brand but punters seem to want it despite the premium and quality dip.
Dark kitchens and licensing look to be the way forward.
Brooking10 said:
C70R said:
Nail on the head.
I'd be almost certain that the new Ivy chains are sourcing loads of their produce from EXACTLY the same place as Jamie's Italian did.
It's just that the Ivy doesn't have a figurehead that people seem to love to hate.
Mr Caring isn't the most lovable character in the world though and on balance I'd suggest JO has probably put a little more in to society given RC is PGs long term oppo and alleged sweat shop exploiter.I'd be almost certain that the new Ivy chains are sourcing loads of their produce from EXACTLY the same place as Jamie's Italian did.
It's just that the Ivy doesn't have a figurehead that people seem to love to hate.
Such are the vagaries of populism though as you allude to.
100% agreed on the sourcing too.
He's not exactly got the Midas touch right now either as Bill's is in a right old mess.
The Ivy Brasserie is much better in my experience... decent food and good service.
loafer123 said:
Bills is terrible. I used to go to the original branch in Lewes a bit, but lately it is £8 for five spinach leaves and a slice of Parma ham.
The Ivy Brasserie is much better in my experience... decent food and good service.
Service in The Ivy here in Cambridge is superb - but by God, it must be expensive - it is heavily staffed. That said, they are all excellently trained, knowledgeable about the menu...The Ivy Brasserie is much better in my experience... decent food and good service.
Whether the business model is sustainable in a location on Trinity Street is another question, but it is for any business there.
Stussy said:
First date with wife in there 20 years ago. Had some egg thing and had to hold in terrible wind all night!In with the frozen burgers.
If you think they taste awful, it's because you have over cooked them. I do mine in the oven for about 10-15 mins. You need to cook them, but serve them 'moist' which takes a bit of practice.
English muffin, toasted, egg in shallow ramekin microwaved for 1m10s, slice of plastic cheese, and there you go. Home made sausage and egg McMuffin. Add in coffee and hash brown for full hangover breakfast experience.
If you think they taste awful, it's because you have over cooked them. I do mine in the oven for about 10-15 mins. You need to cook them, but serve them 'moist' which takes a bit of practice.
English muffin, toasted, egg in shallow ramekin microwaved for 1m10s, slice of plastic cheese, and there you go. Home made sausage and egg McMuffin. Add in coffee and hash brown for full hangover breakfast experience.
Ascayman said:
They will be the next to go, Once the novelty wears off people will realise the food is over priced crap.
The rents they are paying will be huge once people realise they arent actually eating in the ivy and move on to the next must be seen in chain it'll fold like a pack of cards.
The food and service at Ivy Cafe are a significant level above any other chain I can think of bar maybe GauchoThe rents they are paying will be huge once people realise they arent actually eating in the ivy and move on to the next must be seen in chain it'll fold like a pack of cards.
Twig62 said:
Johnnytheboy said:
Tyre Smoke said:
Johnnytheboy said:
Their breakfast sausage things.
No processed meat should taste that good.
Tesco do them you know. No processed meat should taste that good.
Probably highly unethical, like unicorn pancreases.
jakesmith said:
Ascayman said:
They will be the next to go, Once the novelty wears off people will realise the food is over priced crap.
The rents they are paying will be huge once people realise they arent actually eating in the ivy and move on to the next must be seen in chain it'll fold like a pack of cards.
The food and service at Ivy Cafe are a significant level above any other chain I can think of bar maybe GauchoThe rents they are paying will be huge once people realise they arent actually eating in the ivy and move on to the next must be seen in chain it'll fold like a pack of cards.
There are only so many places to reliable source generic goods in such volume.
C70R said:
The food most likely comes from the same sources as many other chains, and much is likely bought already prepared.
There are only so many places to reliable source generic goods in such volume.
I’d be more careful about making such statements about a business. You could well be right but then again you don't actually know, you’re only guessing. I would be most supposed if all the dishes come in pre assembled. There are only so many places to reliable source generic goods in such volume.
Looking at their menu many of their dishes do not stand up to that model at all. And in some cases, with stuff like fish and chips, burgers, a lot of what makes the difference between whether it is an good or not is if they are cooked in the right way, assembled appealingly on the plate, served when piping hot, with a good choice of accompaniments, served by staff that know the menu.
What I’m saying is don’t denigrate it based on your assumptions about inputs, judge the output. The food there is good in my opinion.
Europa1 said:
Hmmm, Gaucho may not have been the best comparator to choose...
I’ve been there twice, once to Richmond 12 years ago and once to the one by Tower Bridge last summer with work. I was expecting it to be crap last year given the number of PE houses they have been through, their general reputation, and the fact that they’ve been surpassed by the likes of Hawksmore, Boisdale etc. But honestly it was great. I’ve been to enough top places too so feel like I have a basic grasp of what good food is. Been to Joel Robochon’s 3 star restaurant at the MGM, Nobu, Gong, Gavroche etc etc
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