Momofuku owner/chef David Chang dinner at Lantern in Chapel Hill

[burgeoningfoodie]

According to N/O Mouthful blog, David Chang will either be cooking with Andrea Reusing at Lantern or will have dishes inspired by his book made by Reusing for a 9 course meal. Unfortunately it was also reported that this may already be sold out. I'm wondering if anyone on the boards got a reservation and would love to hear about the experience.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Just for some additional context. After reading about the Pork Buns it will be interesting to see if they make an appearance.

Though the food is completely different both in types and in probably quantity (having not eaten at his establishment nor the name to be mentioned), if you were in Chi-town you could spend this much on one of two menus at Alinea (and I believe that would be without a pairing).

[brokegradstudent]

Yes, the short menu at Alinea is $150/person before wine, tax, or tip.

[ted]

I think that's very cool. And not too bad of a deal, especially with the meal including the book and booze. If it wasn't a 6-hr drive, I'd be there in a heartbeat. Our meal at Noodle Bar a couple years ago was that good. I'm usually not into overpriced fixed course meal-events.

Hey, not everything can be as cheap as the Burrito Bunker.

[ucctgg]

Alas, The Burrito Bunker bit the dust in 2007.

[LulusMom]

I've emailed them asking for a menu. If I hear back, will let you all know.

[LulusMom]

Heard back from them. They are still working out the menu, but everything on it will be from the book. Not that this matters to anyone else, but there will be "several dishes using pork." They said the menu won't be finalized for some time.

[veganhater]

I need three or four tables to cancel to get in. If you know anyone with a reservation, please talk them out of going.

[cervisiam]

LulusMom, are you going to this dinner? any other CHers going on tuesday?

[LulusMom]

No, once they told me that there would be a number of dishes with pork, I figured it wasn't for me (one dish I'm willing to pay for but not eat ... more than that, probably not). I'd LOVE to hear details though, so if someone out there goes, please report.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Wish I were but I gotta save up for my cousin's wedding towards the end of that month. Are you going?

[brokegradstudent]

I found out too late. It was already sold out

[anne7134]

Tuesday was sold out, but I'm attending the Monday meal.

[cervisiam]

yes, at this point in time. :) trying to rationalize the cost because i can't drink wine pairings and i've been to ko, ssam bar and noodle bar. maybe i should check out the book first to see what dishes they might serve.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Now I'm curious how you scored reservations at some of his places in NYC. Aren't they next to impossible? Can't wait to hear about the dinner and Congrats on the pregnancy.

[cervisiam]

reservations only needed at ko (well, now, if you want the fried chicken at noodle bar, you need to make a reservation). i logged on the first day that ko went live (spring 2008) and the website was completely hammered. somehow, i managed to make two dinner reservations (for two different nights). last year, i logged on right at 10 AM seven days prior to get a dinner reservation.

so - it has been difficult but not impossible, but i'm not sure what it's like nowadays.

[LulusMom]

Congratulations! I can remember going to the Lantern when I was pregnant, and most of the time just getting seltzer. But for my birthday I allowed myself a glass of champagne. Memories ...

Def. don't want to do a pairings thing. Have you called them and explained the situation? Given that you have a very good medical reason not to drink, it might sway them to cut you a break in the price.

[suse]

Congratulations, Cervisiam! I had no idea. Next time we need to be on your end of the table - we didn't get to chat. And LulusMom, on the other thread you mentioned bringing your well-trained offspring to dinner at GK. I'm all for it. I'll be there if I'm in town and will bring my well-trained 16-yr-old again.

[LulusMom]

She'd be thrilled to be part of the gathering. Lunches are easier though, given her bedtime (soon after 8).

[burgeoningfoodie]

Oh it wasn't news that was delivered at the dinner (at least not that I remember) she mentioned it up above about why she couldn't have wine.

[cervisiam]

i've been hiding it fairly well, i guess :)

[cervisiam]

yes, and i was told 'same price for each person'. bummer. wonder if they would make some non alcoholic cocktails (e.g. red geisha with seltzer) as an alternative to the wine pairings. i will probably call back in the next week or so to ask.

[LulusMom]

Give it a try (the phone call) and be fairly firm in your reasoning. Otherwise, I come, stand outside and down your wine and compensate you (sorry - kidding, but i love the idea).

[veganhater]

If you give up the reservation, please let me have it. I stand second on the waiting list as of now.

[erovinmO]

Great news. Triangle needs more visits like this. The price might be too low if already sold out. Compare $150 for nine courses plus the wine with the man himself in charge to $125 Ko dinner plus a trip to NYC provided you get in.

[Tom from Raleigh]

We ate at Momofuku Ssam Bar last year in NYC and the meal was the highlight of our trip. The food was tasty. The flavors were creatively assembled. I've cooked several dishes from the cookbook and have been very pleased with each one. $150 a head (plus tax & tip) is a bit steep for me philosophically when we paid less than that for 4 of us in NYC. That being said, its a 9 course meal with wine pairings, so in reality, it looks like quite a deal. Decisions, decisions...

Here's a write up of a similar event in Seattle:

http://www.seattlemag.com/0p36b8be166...

[burgeoningfoodie]

I guess this was more of what I was getting at. I'd like to actually see whats on the menu.. though I may have overlooked the link to it.

[LulusMom]

Keep in mind that the wine is included. Those numbers can add up (take it from me).

[danna]

It frustrates me that many of these type affiars don't even offer a no-alcohol option. My husband rarely drinks and so $150 that might not seem SO steep for me, the wino, would probably be a deal breaker for him.

[cervisiam]

bf, no menu online; you could call and ask, although they may not have it finalized. i would just make a reservation if you are interested. you can always cancel it (for the tuesday dinner, the cancellation deadline is the saturday before).

i agree with danna, a no-alcohol option would be FANTASTIC --i am pregnant, so the wine pairings are lost on me. sadly. expensively. :)

[burgeoningfoodie]

Yeah a no wine option would be great. I can do that. The Tues night is booked as far as I know.

[cervisiam]

yes, you are right, tuesday is booked; but like i said, they are offering the same menu on monday (without David). depends on whether you want to eat what they have created for the occasion.

[LulusMom]

I totally understand. I went to Charlie Trotter's restaurant once in Chicago. it was great, but they offered either a meat eater's menu or a vegetarian menu. I eat fish and poultry, and was interested in those dishes, but don't eat pork. They said they'd sub the veg. options for those dishes, but still charge me for the full meat menu. Seemed at least somewhat unfair, and obviously the wine thing is the same. Usually places give you the option of whether you want to have the wine or not.

I'd be happy to sit there with you and swill his liquid portion of the meal, if it would help ; )

[Tom from Raleigh]

I prefer beer to pair beer with food rather than wine. Most restaurants are willing to accommodate special requests like these for group dinners, especially if they're simple such as "no wine".

As for the menu, I can't imagine that Chef Chang makes a unique menu for each dinner like this, especially since he's there to promote the cookbook. I bet they'll cook out of the cookbook for the most part. It's really a great cookbook.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Yeah I mean what if you're allergic to wine.

[Tom from Raleigh]

I just got a call back from Lantern. They said $150 was firm and included wine and a signed copy of the book. If I didn't want to drink the wine, the price would be the same. It's not clear whether i could substitute beer or not. I was disappointed in their lack of flexibility, but I believe if I'd already signed up for the dinner, they would have worked with me on the beverages.

On a more positive note, they sold out 70 seats for Tuesday and it sounds like they sold out the night before as well. This is good for them and good for us, who are interested in great food. I didn't have time to ask about the menu.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Not that it wasn't already known, but at least we know the foodies will come out when presented with opportunities that are out of the ordinary. Now if only Grant Achatz would do something like this based on his Alinea book... I'd pay for that in a flash...

[quazi]

I got an email this morning $150 a head. With all his recent press I can believe it sold out quick.

[cervisiam]

at $150 a head, will shaved foie gras make an appearance?

[quazi]

Includes cocktails and 9 courses with wine pairings. In the scheme of things, with what I find I waste money on that would not be bad

[burgeoningfoodie]

My initial reaction was the following:

It is a pretty steep price. I mean you DO have to put it into perspective based on whatever the menu may be and who would be cooking and what the avg price for a dish would be. For that amount of money, it may as well be a contest for a chef's table dinner for maybe 6 people.

[LulusMom]

He's a HUGE name in the business though. I think the price seems reasonable, given that.

[Pigloader]

I agree. I have to confess, I'm broke as a joke, and I was still trying to get a resi.

[burgeoningfoodie]

Trust me I know his name and reputation. But you still have to think about the area and the ingredients that may be to used too. I'm not arguing with the price I'm just curious what this same thing might be at his actual restaurant.

*note to say I see the post below*

[cervisiam]

lantern's webpage published this before the email came out, so i called immediately when i saw it. i find lantern table dinners are a little on the pricier side, but we treat them as special occasions. that means we don't get there on a normal basis to try their regular menu.

update: just spoke with lantern - they are doing the same menu, sans David, the night before (monday the 8th). not sure if pricing is same (probably), but if you don't mind missing the entertainment, it might be something to consider.

[burgeoningfoodie]

I'd like to actually see whats on the menu.. though I may have overlooked the link to it.. Isn't David the one creating the menu based upon Lantern's website?

[anne7134]

The pricing is the same. No entertainment, but it does include a signed copy of his book.

[burgeoningfoodie]

That is good to know. Hmmmm something to think about. Still would like to know what the menu is.