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| 54 Below Menu Strategies | |
| Last Edit: Singapore/Fling 11:06 pm EDT 08/11/17 | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 11:05 pm EDT 08/11/17 | |
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| I haven't been to 54 Below since Feinstein's took over, which means I haven't had to deal with this menu and the food/beverage minimum. Does anyone have tips on how to maximize the value of the money on food, without going over $25. I don't drink, so at most I'll get soda water. Is there a smart way of dividing up the menu to make a nice little tapas experience? Is that $24 bacon cheeseburger actually worth it? Advice appreciated. |
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| re: 54 Below Menu Strategies | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 04:25 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 04:14 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
| In reply to: 54 Below Menu Strategies - Singapore/Fling 11:05 pm EDT 08/11/17 | |
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| I've seen many shows at 54 Below. Between the cover charge and food minimum, it's hard to leave there without dropping $100. And no matter how good the performer is, that's still a lotta money. Part of me resents paying the minimum for overpriced food, but that's how they make their money. (Imagine paying, say, $15 to see a movie, and then being required to buy $20-dollar's worth of popcorn and soda.) Looking at 54's current menu, I don't think any burger is worth $24, and most any entrée is more than $25. Hanger steak, $29; scallops, $38. You could pick an appetizer (the coconut & carrot soup, $12) and a dessert (key lime pie, $13); that's $25. FYI: Last night, you could've seen John Pizzarelli at Birdland for a $50 cover; $10 food-drink minimum. But when he and Jessica Molaskey play the Café Carlyle in November, the cover will be $110-$135; premium seating, $160-$185. (And there's still a $75 food-drink minimum!) |
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| Update: Pizzarelli is ALSO playing Birdland tonight (Sat., Aug. 12) with Jessica Molaskey | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 04:51 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 04:51 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
| In reply to: re: 54 Below Menu Strategies - WaymanWong 04:14 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
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| But – how much is the pizza? | |
| Posted by: monty4rudy 10:07 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
| In reply to: Update: Pizzarelli is ALSO playing Birdland tonight (Sat., Aug. 12) with Jessica Molaskey - WaymanWong 04:51 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
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| Someone had to say it. | |
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| re: 54 Below Menu Strategies | |
| Posted by: mlop 11:55 pm EDT 08/11/17 | |
| In reply to: 54 Below Menu Strategies - Singapore/Fling 11:05 pm EDT 08/11/17 | |
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| The food is not as expensive as it was at the regency. And hasn't changed at 54 when Feinstein took over. You can eat less than $20. There is macaroni and cheese. A beet salad. For under 20. The soft drinks are around $5. The food is fabulous. The chef is great. The Amish chicken is $27. And out of this world. There are did dishes French fries. |
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| re: 54 Below Menu Strategies | |
| Posted by: NYCscribe 10:59 pm EDT 08/12/17 | |
| In reply to: re: 54 Below Menu Strategies - mlop 11:55 pm EDT 08/11/17 | |
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| I think the food is pricey. HOWEVER, the quality is what you might get in a fine dining restaurant, not a music venue. It is well worth paying a few extra bucks to have such great food. And I went to Birdland recently and got a basic catfish plate with steamed broccoli and rice for the same price as one of 54's much better entrees. I agree that the chef is fabulous. | |
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| re: 54 Below Menu Strategies | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 12:39 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
| In reply to: re: 54 Below Menu Strategies - mlop 11:55 pm EDT 08/11/17 | |
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| Before Feinstein (although this may have been changed prior to his takeover), industry comps to showcases waived the cover charge. Thanks for the advice. How big are the appetizer portions? Is it a lot of food? I get a bit skeptical when a salad is in the double digits, but sometime those can be proper meals in themselves. |
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| re: 54 Below Menu Strategies | |
| Posted by: EvFoDr 02:40 pm EDT 08/13/17 | |
| In reply to: re: 54 Below Menu Strategies - Singapore/Fling 12:39 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
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| Obviously we cannot transfer our sensibilities to others, but my suggestion is to perhaps adjust your (totally justified) prejudices about the experience. I felt I was always royally gouged at the Regency. Terrible food that was overpriced and that I was forced to buy! 54 Below is not like that. The food is excellent. It is a tad overpriced, but frankly I am grateful that I can simply order one entree and satisfy the minimum. Like you I am not a drinker so I have to make sure I get to the minimum with food. Also, not sure if they still do this, but I think you can get flat OR sparkling water complimentary. I guess I am saying, pick the entree that sounds good to you, it will take you a little over the minimum, it will actually taste good, and just see it as part of the experience of going there :-) **That said, if you find the perfect combination of starters that satisfies you and gets you to exactly $25 please let us know! :-) |
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| re: 54 Below Menu Strategies | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 11:13 pm EDT 08/13/17 | |
| In reply to: re: 54 Below Menu Strategies - EvFoDr 02:40 pm EDT 08/13/17 | |
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| I'm actually totally fine with the cover (or, rather I've accepted it as a reality), so my question was purely about getting the most bang for the buck, as well as discovering if there was something highly recommended. All the thoughts have been appreciated. :-) |
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| re: 54 Below Menu Strategies | |
| Posted by: mlop 02:07 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
| In reply to: re: 54 Below Menu Strategies - Singapore/Fling 12:39 am EDT 08/12/17 | |
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| The beet is was fine. Depending on How much you eat. They are not skimpy. So much bigger than at the Regency. I remember you had to pay a fee there when you bought a ticket. The waiters were unionized. The cabaret room was in the restaurant. And when the show was over. Everything was put away and set up for breakfast the next day. Everything was more expensive and portions so much smaller . Everyone had to make money. The hotel the restAurant and the cabaret and I of course the performers had to be paid. When the Regency closed for renovation Feinstein was looking for a place without having to deal with the waiters union and hotel union. He partnered with 54. Not that much was changed but his name was added and it gave him a home to perform in when he wanted to. |
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