Lucked out on the special at Porchetta
Recently I took a test to see how much tech stuff I know about web technologies (which is what my job is about) and I realized just how utterly lacking is my knowledge. My lack of understanding is not limited to just scripting languages and servers. So I was thinking about how the world works and how it puzzles me. Let's say an area is struck with economic hardship, and all the restaurants there are not doing well. In fact, in this hypothetical situation, they would all have to do better to survive. And then let's suppose that we could try some things to help out the restaurants. We could either give people in the neighborhood some money. Or we could give people a discount for their patronage at local restaurants. Or maybe a prize for their patronage. Or develop game theory around a mobile app and tell people to fucking check-in for 'badges'. Yea. I can take that shit to the bank and exchange it for... hey wait a minute! Even at my low mental capacity, it's apparent that there's a plethora of options beyond simpling giving people in the neighborhood money, because there are ways to stimulate spending. But I guess Republicans and rich people pulled the wool over everyones' eyes again. Cuz that tax-cut for the rich, yea, that'll save this country. See how I did that there? Nice. Restaurants struggling is a very real thing though, and even for restaurants that has customers. As Sara Jenkins of Pochetta and Porsena said in an interview with NYMag, sometimes "people order [pasta] as their entrée and all of a sudden your check average is nothing and you can’t pay the rent." Really, so my choices might bankrupt a place that's delicious because I can't spend more?
It's an interesting conundrum. A few weeks ago Steph and I went to Porchetta. It's so tiny in there. After we got our stools, the three other stools got occupied and then the whole space filled with people waiting to get their food. It was nuts. We had a porchetta sandwich that was not as good as it was in my memory. It's hard for reality to compete with memory sometimes. Especially since reality is that their $10 dollar sandwich wasn't nearly as awesome as their $8 special of the day, homemade lasagna. See that's what consumers do. I would tell you to get that $8 lasagna because it's delicious and warms your soul. The $10 sandwich makes you feel like they used to stuff more meat in that mother. My memory is probably shoddy and I probably liked it more the first time because everyone else loved it and I had to love it too. Peer pressure. Poo.
So as far as ordering more, I feel like restaurants could do a much better job than what they're doing now. There's all these discount sites now that do discounts for random places. I finally used one of those 50% coupon at a random bar in Midtown the other day. Probably consumed more with the coupon than would have otherwise, and it was all good. Restaurants need to figure out that they can do this shit on their own. There's really no reason why a restaurant anywhere should be ok with half-empty dining rooms on a Wednesday night. Because if that's the case, who cares if I just eat pasta? They're fucked anyway. But half empty restaurants don't seem to try all that hard to get my business either. What's my incentive to go on a weeknight? This will always remain a mystery to me. Until then, order pasta all the time people.
Porchetta
110 E 7th St.
New York, NY 10009
212-777-2151
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This entry for some reason brought to mind that you should check out Petite Crevette if you haven't been there. It's a fancy-feeling place but I think it's super well-priced for the ambiance and the quality and quantity of food. Their big thing is seafood that goes up to like $20, but you can also get a $12 burger at dinnertime with no hassle. The lobster bisque is honestly amazing! It's BYOB, too, with a wine store around the corner.
Sorry to be off topic. That lasagna looks terrific.
JJR
December 8, 2010 9:47 pm
Truth, it really is hard to compete with our skewed memories sometimes. I could've sworn the McRib was the bees knees from 7 years ago... but it wasn't. Not that I'm comparing McDonald's to Porchetta, I'm just saying our memories suck pretty hard.
For the record, that looks like way too much bread, not enough pork. And the bread doesn't look that incredible either.
Nicholas
December 8, 2010 11:33 pm
@JJR,
Thanks for the tip! I just looked that up and it's in BK huh? I gotta try to remember it next time I'm in that neighborhood.
@Nicholas,
Yea I feel like they need more pork in that sandwich. I guess pork is expensive and they just figure they can live on reputation these days. I'm the sucker in the scenario! Damn it.
Danny
December 9, 2010 5:09 pm
You know, it does look less stuffed in your pic. Weird. Btw, when I was at the New Amsterdam Market a few weeks ago, Porchetta was there and were selling smaller $5 sandwiches. I thought that was a pretty good deal, but now I wonder if the meat is packed. I love Porchetta tho.
bionicgrrrl
December 10, 2010 12:24 am
@bionicgrrrl,
Wow, $5 dollars? That's half off! I wonder if the sandwiches were on smaller bread... if they sold that sandwich for $5, it would be awesome. As it is, I'm not impressed about the ten dollar price point. Maybe I'll try it again in a year. haha.
Danny
December 14, 2010 9:35 am