Michelin Starred Bon Appetit: €39 for ’the most delicious beef on Earth’ -Wagyu St

xpletiv

La Brasserie @ Michelin Starred Bon Appetit: €39 for literally ’the most delicious beef on Earth’ - a Grade 9 Waygu Steak
http://megadeals.pigsback.com/megadeal/48867/la-brasserie-michelin-starred-bon-appetit-39-for-literally-the-most-delicious-beef-on-earth-a-grade-9-waygu-steak-highest-grade-available-worldwide-outside-of-japan

€39 for an 8oz steak, but this is THE steak to eat, apparently. I decided to go for it. Note that is EACH.

Heres a link to their actual menu:
http://bonappetit.ie/index.php/about/the-bovine-menu/

Im in no way affiliated with the restaurant. Ive been there before and it is amazing. Lovely place, cheap enough for sides and such too.

banchang

When they have a deal for 2 I'll be interested, not before.

Jimdagym

banchang wrote: »

When they have a deal for 2 I'll be interested, not before.

They do. It's 2 for €78.

adox

But isn't proper Japanese Wagu beef only sold in Japan? I.E. not exported?

banchang

adox wrote: »

But isn't proper Japanese Wagu beef only sold in Japan? I.E. not exported?

No I know you can buy it in other European cities.

banchang

Jimdagym wrote: »

They do. It's 2 for €78.

Er OK. EUR39 for one, & twice that for 2.

They need to sharpen their pencil then.

This is just for the steak, but the total cost for your meal in this restaurant when all other bit & pieces added in would be significant, & would require some planning to be sure of your total exposure.

Suggest if they want to get people through the doors they package up an all-in 3 course meal which is more transparent.

Sappy404

adox wrote: »

But isn't proper Japanese Wagu beef only sold in Japan? I.E. not exported?

Kobe beef, made from Wagyu, is only sold in Japan, Macau and Honk Kong apparently:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_beef

I wonder if the stuff sold in La Brasserie has been illegally imported or if it's not totally genuine like that cross-bred American stuff.

sharkman

OK , La Brasserie is not Michelin Starred , Bon Appetit is . Its part of the same building under the same management . Bon Appetit is "Fine Dining ".

Wagyu means “Japanese cows.” Beyond that, its definition gets vaguer depending who you ask and what country you are in. It could be taken to refer to all cows in Japan, including the Western and European breeds with which we are familiar, but it is most commonly used to refer collectively to all historically Japanese breeds, of which there are four major ones. Many U.S. ranchers, and the Executive Director of the American Wagyu Association, wrote in to insist that Wagyu is a breed, but I have found zero evidence to support that argument, and lots to refute it. Nonetheless, many farmers and especially wait staff insist on calling it a breed. Further, many say emphatically that it is the same breed as Kobe beef. This is not true. The cattle used for Kobe beef are a form of Wagyu yes, just as Cabernet Sauvignon is a form of grapes. But not all grapes are Cabernet, and not all Wagyu is Kobe.

From : Food's Biggest Scam, Part 2: "Domestic" Kobe And Wagyu Beef

In saying that the food in both is superb.Just don't believe that your getting Kobe beef.

unklerosco

"The most delicious beef on earth. Wagyu “Kobe
style” beef is an extremely expensive, uber
luxurious product. Each cattle has a unique
passport with origin identity and marbling quality.
Here at La Brasserie we use beef with a sashi
(marbling) Grade 9 (the highest quality beef
available worldwide outside of Japan). We are
happy to sell it at cost price as we believe
everyone should try Kobe at least once in their
life! Pre-order for large quantities."

Taken from the menue, I'm assuming it's similar to the US version... being "Kobe Style"

livEwirE

Am I missing something here? Is €39 for one 8oz steak a bargain in the current economic climate:eek:

etcetc

banchang wrote: »

Jimdagym wrote: »

They do. It's 2 for €78.

Er OK. EUR39 for one, & twice that for 2.

They need to sharpen their pencil then.

This is just for the steak, but the total cost for your meal in this restaurant when all other bit & pieces added in would be significant, & would require some planning to be sure of your total exposure.

Suggest if they want to get people through the doors they package up an all-in 3 course meal which is more transparent.

I'm Inclined to think this is a quite deliberate ploy on their behalf

I had the misfortune to buy a previous deal from this restaurant and the waiter who knew we were using the coupon skillfully gave us impression what we were ordering was covered only to present us with a bill for 50 odd euros and when we questioned it they sniggered at us

Not worth it ask lots of questions

Do they even include chips with the steak
?

banchang

livEwirE wrote: »

Am I missing something here? Is €39 for one 8oz steak a bargain in the current economic climate:eek:

My point above exactly

xpletiv

For something special over the next couple of months, it could be a good call. Sides are about 3.50-4 euro each which is good value. Get two of them and youre sorted for the meal along with what theyre calling the worlds best steak. Granted, + wine/cocktails/starters itll be over €100 for 2,

Didnt note that its separate from the Bon Appetit (as in its downstairs). But Im looking forward to reading that Beef Bible.

As far as I can tell, its a Wagyu 8oz Fillet Steaks. They dont even sugarcoat it on their menu:
The most delicious beef on earth. Wagyu “Kobe style” beef is an extremely expensive, uber luxurious product. Each cattle has a unique passport with origin identity and marbling quality. Here at La Brasserie we use beef with a sashi (marbling) Grade 9 (the highest quality beef available worldwide outside of Japan).

mangledbadgers

Wow this is one sweet deal, but don't take my word for it...

donnacha

That is a good deal - and I hope to get in and try it at some stage.

For those of you wanting to try something close to this at home then James Whelan has been breeding a cross of pur Japanese Wagyu with his own Aberdeen Angus cattle. He started selling them in his shops and online store earlier this year.
http://www.jameswhelanbutchers.com/info/4186/wagyu-on-the-way/
http://www.jameswhelanbutchers.com/products.php?cat=Wagyu+Beef

2 x 12oz Striploins will set you back approx €44:
http://www.jameswhelanbutchers.com/proddetail.php?prod=6140

groom

I've had issue with Bon Appetite pulling fast ones. I tried to use a coupon on something that was already a special. The voucher listed any specific exclusions so I should have been alright to use it but the concierge said I couldn't use it and I wasn't going to fight him over it but it was bad form. Also watch out them plying you bottle after bottle of €5 mineral water whether you ask for it or not

rameire

just a query.
Superquinn have Striploin steak now at €17.46 per kg from their counters.
I would rate Superquinn steak highly,
as I would most Irish Cows.
What makes the Wagyu beef so good, is it the glow?

rameire

le double post.

mathie

groom wrote: »

I've had issue with Bon Appetite pulling fast ones. I tried to use a coupon on something that was already a special. The voucher listed any specific exclusions so I should have been alright to use it but the concierge said I couldn't use it and I wasn't going to fight him over it but it was bad form. Also watch out them plying you bottle after bottle of €5 mineral water whether you ask for it or not

Yes had a similar experience.
Everything is extra when you go with a coupon.
Vegetables, chips, potatoes.
The menu is bare bones.

Only restaurant (in Ireland) I've ever been to where bottled water was brought when I asked for water.

I would never go again. They're very underhand about it all.

Melendez

This post has been deleted.

etcetc

Melendez wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

so it wasnt just me, very con·de·scend·ing attitude all round

they would only allow you to book a table at very specific times we were given a time slot of 2.30pm 8 weeks from the time we wanted it and made to feel very grateful they could accommodate us

i dont care what michellin stars they have i wouldnt go back again regardless of their deals

xpletiv

A shame. The times when I went, I never had any issues with a voucher, and theyre general 3 course deal for 30 is good as well. You should know what you get with the meal, and if you ask for water, specify a jug of water.

Melendez

This post has been deleted.

groom

etcetc wrote: »

so it wasnt just me, very con·de·scend·ing attitude all round

they would only allow you to book a table at very specific times we were given a time slot of 2.30pm 8 weeks from the time we wanted it and made to feel very grateful they could accommodate us

i dont care what michellin stars they have i wouldnt go back again regardless of their deals

Despite what I've said above I've still gone there 4-5 times and all but one of those was upstairs in the fine dining. The 8 course tasting menu is spectacular and I've gotten it for €40 to €50 pp. They run it occasionally at those prices which wouldn't result in much profit. Often there'll run it because of a large cancellation and they have to fill the restaurant. All the profit comes from wine and expensive mineral water. And another trick is that they always divert you to the bar before seating you so you get an extra round in before dinner

Johnny_Fontane

mathie wrote: »

Yes had a similar experience.
Everything is extra when you go with a coupon.
Vegetables, chips, potatoes.
The menu is bare bones.

Only restaurant (in Ireland) I've ever been to where bottled water was brought when I asked for water.

I would never go again. They're very underhand about it all.

you wouldn't go to a restaurant again because they brought out bottled water?
And you didnt say, sorry, tap water is fine?

my god, some people.

Johnny_Fontane

groom wrote: »

Despite what I've said above I've still gone there 4-5 times and all but one of those was upstairs in the fine dining. The 8 course tasting menu is spectacular and I've gotten it for €40 to €50 pp. They run it occasionally at those prices which wouldn't result in much profit. Often there'll run it because of a large cancellation and they have to fill the restaurant. All the profit comes from wine and expensive mineral water. And another trick is that they always divert you to the bar before seating you so you get an extra round in before dinner

restaurants are allowed to make a profit too. Look at every restaurant in the world (no matter it be Ireland, France, Argentina or Zimbabwe), the markup is always about 300%.

I dont work in the restaurant industry, but these guys bust a gut all their lives to get to that level. You have to appreciate, with labour and overheads, its proven to be one of the most difficult industries to survive.

If you are unhappy with the sneakiness, say it! But of course you wont. you'll go online and moan about it.

Stallingrad

I've no beef with the OP but I suspect he has a stake in the company.

banchang

Stallingrad wrote: »

I've no beef with the OP but I suspect he has a stake in the company.

Steak ?

belcampprisoner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_beef#Mislabeling

groom

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

restaurants are allowed to make a profit too. Look at every restaurant in the world (no matter it be Ireland, France, Argentina or Zimbabwe), the markup is always about 300%.

I dont work in the restaurant industry, but these guys bust a gut all their lives to get to that level. You have to appreciate, with labour and overheads, its proven to be one of the most difficult industries to survive.

If you are unhappy with the sneakiness, say it! But of course you wont. you'll go online and moan about it.

Very strange response to what you quoted from me. In that post I was recommending the tasting menu and commenting on how they didn't make any profit from it and so was good value. Nowhere did I argue that they weren't allowed to make a profit. But this is a bargain alerts forum where we discuss relative value of products. Anything I was 'moaning' in my original post I discussed with the concierge at the time. But hey, don't let that stop you from having a good indulgent non-relevant moan yourself

daRobot

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

If you are unhappy with the sneakiness, say it! But of course you wont. you'll go online and moan about it.

He clearly is saying it, albeit online.

They're clearly shortsighted, treating customers this way, as this thread will now jump up in a google search and will damage their business.

And realistically, if they're doing a groupon style deal, they're trying to acquire new customers (most likely at a loss), so they can't afford to take up an attitude to treat voucher holders in an inferior manner to their 'regulars' who clearly aren't regular enough...

Johnny_Fontane

groom wrote: »

Very strange response to what you quoted from me. In that post I was recommending the tasting menu and commenting on how they didn't make any profit from it and so was good value. Nowhere did I argue that they weren't allowed to make a profit. But this is a bargain alerts forum where we discuss relative value of products. Anything I was 'moaning' in my original post I discussed with the concierge at the time. But hey, don't let that stop you from having a good indulgent non-relevant moan yourself

Sorry lads, I just see people complaining about tiny things all the time online about restaurants and it drives me nuts.

I think the value of products here is very clear. He's offering Wagyu beef at cost. He also offering you expensive products (wine/beer/water), if you want them. You dont have to have them, but I think its unfair to the restaurant to start ragging on them because they offer bottled water or a drink before you eat. This is common in any good restaurant.

My point about the moaning :P is that its a common theme for people in Ireland to have a meal, be unhappy about it, but then when the waiter comes along and asks how your meal was, they dont say anything. My own wife does it all the time!!

Johnny_Fontane

daRobot wrote: »

He clearly is saying it, albeit online.

They're clearly shortsighted, treating customers this way, as this thread will now jump up in a google search and will damage their business.

And realistically, if they're doing a groupon style deal, they're trying to acquire new customers (most likely at a loss), so they can't afford to take up an attitude to treat voucher holders in an inferior manner to their 'regulars' who clearly aren't regular enough...

'clearly shortsighted' because they offered someone bottled water or a drink before dinner?

Has the world gone mad? Like seriously?

daRobot

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

'clearly shortsighted' because they offered someone bottled water or a drink before dinner?

Has the world gone mad? Like seriously?

And I mentioned bottled water where exactly? I've no beef (sorry had to do it ) with them trying to make money on the extras, especially when they're making a loss on the deal.

I'm referring to their alleged condescending attitude, which a few posters have highlighted, when a voucher was mentioned.

Like I said in my last post, it's so very dumb to be treating your brand new customers so poorly, when the whole point of a loss making promotion is to entice these very customers to start coming back again.

Sounds like the 'tiger' has left the pocket, but not the mind of the owners.

ando

€39 for a steak!!! Jaysus not a chance, even if it is a bargain!

vicwatson

Here is the t&c

• Voucher valid from Tuesday October 9th 2012
• Advance Booking is essential to ensure you get your preferred date by e-mailing reservations@bonappetit.ie ONLY
• Reservations by phone are NOT accepted
• This offer is valid Tuesday to Friday 6.00 – 9.30 pm
• Valid on the Waygu Sirloin from the Bovine Menu @ La Brasserie only
• One free sauce per steak voucher - other accompaniments are charged separately and are payable directly to the restaurant
• No cash value
• A hard copy of the voucher must be presented on the night of booking with Pigsback voucher and redemption code clearly visible.
• Voucher must be redeemed in full in one visit
• Any overspend of voucher is payable to Bon Appetit
• Voucher valid until 30th November

rivalius13

Had a Wagyu steak in NY. Meal cost $150 all in. Totally worth it, was amazing and a great experience. Tempted by this...

bonappmalahide

Hi Guys,

We are only catching up on this thread now (thanks to those who alerted us to it!). We apologise if anyone feels tricked or duped in the restaurant - this is never our intention.

If anyone ever has any problems in the Restaurant, we encourage them to alert us to them whilst in the restaurant. Or, afterwards they can do so via email or phone.

We also try to be as socially engaging as possible - you can get to our chef on Twitter at @OliverDunne, or our Restaurant Manager @Grahamdunne1, or the rest of the team @bonappmalahide. We also have a Facebook page where we regularly post up deals and get feedback from our fans/followers.

We go to great lengths to source the highest quality ingredients that we can.

The deal mentioned in the thread offers the world's finest beef at a genuine knock-down price. And yes you have to pay for drinks and chips/side orders etc. and this is the case in most restaurants - at the end of the day its not a McDonald's meal deal!

This offer should not however be considered indicative of what goes on in Bon Appetit - we also offer an all-in meal of 3 Courses for €30 in the Brasserie, as well as Sunday Lunch for only €23.95 (with Kids Dining Free). We regularly host foodie nights in our Michelin Star Restaurant 'upstairs' and generally offer something for everyone - which ever dining experience they choose.

xpletiv

Stallingrad wrote: »

I've no beef with the OP but I suspect he has a stake in the company.

I absolutely do not.

vicwatson

bonappmalahide wrote: »

Hi Guys,

We are only catching up on this thread now (thanks to those who alerted us to it!). We apologise if anyone feels tricked or duped in the restaurant - this is never our intention.

If anyone ever has any problems in the Restaurant, we encourage them to alert us to them whilst in the restaurant. Or, afterwards they can do so via email or phone.

We also try to be as socially engaging as possible - you can get to our chef on Twitter at @OliverDunne, or our Restaurant Manager @Grahamdunne1, or the rest of the team @bonappmalahide. We also have a Facebook page where we regularly post up deals and get feedback from our fans/followers.

We go to great lengths to source the highest quality ingredients that we can.

The deal mentioned in the thread offers the world's finest beef at a genuine knock-down price. And yes you have to pay for drinks and chips/side orders etc. and this is the case in most restaurants - at the end of the day its not a McDonald's meal deal!

This offer should not however be considered indicative of what goes on in Bon Appetit - we also offer an all-in meal of 3 Courses for €30 in the Brasserie, as well as Sunday Lunch for only €23.95 (with Kids Dining Free). We regularly host foodie nights in our Michelin Star Restaurant 'upstairs' and generally offer something for everyone - which ever dining experience they choose.

Welcome to boards:)

vicwatson

Bonnapp, why not ask customers if they would like tap or bottled water instead of just bringing them bottled water when people generally feel uncomfortable to send it back? Like normal restaurants say.

nice1franko

To the people saying 39 euro for a steak isn't a bargain: I read an article before by Paolo Tuillo before about Kevin Thornton's restaurant where he makes an excellent point about value when it comes to food:

Here's the question that's been on my mind this week: what do we mean by 'expensive'? Clearly it's not based only on cost. I mean, a car for €3,000 wouldn't be expensive, but a handbag at the same price would be.

We usually relate our expenditure to the perceived value of what we buy, but when it comes to eating in restaurants we have a skewed view of value, because we don't expect to pay much for the best.

With anything that we buy there's a range of prices. You can buy a pair of jeans in TK Maxx for €20, or you can buy a pair in BTs for €300. There's a spread from the cheapest to the most expensive that could be 10 or 20 times the cost of the cheapest.

But there's one area where that range doesn't apply and that's restaurants. Yes, we expect the best to cost more, but not much more.

And that's odd, because the amount of sheer effort and skill that goes into making the best really ought to be rewarded properly.

...

Our bill of €225 was perhaps twice what I'd normally spend, but this was more than twice as good as what I'd normally eat. So, on that basis, I'd say it was good value as well as being exceptionally skilful.

- http://foodforlife.thorntonsrestaurant.com/foodforlife/2010/08/article-in-the-saturday-indo-.html

I know many people on BA might not view this deal as a bargain but some others do -just like some would regard the memory foam mattress in Homestore & More or the 30 dollar usb android device as bargains, and others wouldn't.

As for the problems some others have reported in that restaurant: I've never had problems and I've been there a good few times. Upstairs, a tip is automatically added to your bill. I didn't notice it (possibly a glass of wine too many) and went to tip the waiter again and he declined and pointed out the tip again which I thought was good form. If we're offered still or sparkling water my wife'll pipe up for the hidden option C, tap... grand.

All businesses have hooks/loss-leaders to get the punters in. Look at the weekly specials all supermarkets have etc. I don't think there's anything wrong with it - in fact, a forum like BA often takes unfair advantage of it.

Anyway, we've had some excellent value meals there. They also do cooking classes for 40 euro: 2.5-3 hour learning/entertainment plus tasters -good value. An opportunity to try some of the best steak in the world in or around cost price and cooked perfectly -bargain!

vicwatson

This thread has turned into one BIG free advertisement, good or bad, for this restaurant in my opinion. Sigh

Africa

vicwatson wrote: »

This thread has turned into one BIG free advertisement, good or bad, for this restaurant in my opinion. Sigh

Bah. Yer just a naysayer that doesnt appreciate a good deal in a good restaurant! In my opinion

I was quite impressed that they came onto the board and actually replied to some of the comments made.

mathie

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

you wouldn't go to a restaurant again because they brought out bottled water?
And you didnt say, sorry, tap water is fine?

my god, some people.

No just for that reason.

Everything is extra above and beyond the voucher.
They sell you a lunch for two and then they ask do you want potatoes or chips.
Either is extra.

As I say .... underhand.

unkel

nice1franko wrote: »

I read an article before by Paolo Tuillo before about Kevin Thornton's restaurant

I've had the dish Tullio is raving about. It's one of the reasons Thorntons is my favourite restaurant in this country

keithclancy

unklerosco wrote: »

"The most delicious beef on earth. Wagyu “Kobe
style” beef is an extremely expensive, uber
luxurious product. Each cattle has a unique
passport with origin identity and marbling quality.
Here at La Brasserie we use beef with a sashi
(marbling) Grade 9 (the highest quality beef
available worldwide outside of Japan). We are
happy to sell it at cost price as we believe
everyone should try Kobe at least once in their
life! Pre-order for large quantities."

Taken from the menue, I'm assuming it's similar to the US version... being "Kobe Style"

No, it means that Genetically the cow is from a Japanese Breed (Kobe for example), in Europe anyway its strictly controlled. In the US its a free for all.

Basically its just a way of identifying the product. The grade of marbling is what makes it expensive.

This stuff of rubbing sake into the cows skin etc is done simply because the terrain in Japan is harsh, Ireland has excellent terrain for Cows hence its not needed.

Only thing I would suggest is try it and see what you think, every time i've tried Wagyu its been pretty good.

Similarly 'Irish Beef' is sold here in the Netherlands, which identifies the Product as a certain quality, but a lot of the cattle bred in Ireland are actually a French breed (Charolais)

If its 'Wagyu' beef i'd expect the steak to have excellent marbling, every time you go to a restaurant theres a risk that the food is not what you expected.

Basq

bonappmalahide,

Thanks for taking the time to register on Boards.ie.

But please contact hello@boards.ie to verify your identity before posting again.

vicwatson

Africa wrote: »

Bah. Yer just a naysayer that doesnt appreciate a good deal in a good restaurant! In my opinion

I was quite impressed that they came onto the board and actually replied to some of the comments made.

You are incorrect, for the record. Good deal in a good restaurant hmmmm:rolleyes:

As they say in AH, "thinly veiled" free advertising on boards.

Africa

vicwatson wrote: »

You are incorrect, for the record. Good deal in a good restaurant hmmmm:rolleyes:

As they say in AH, "thinly veiled" free advertising on boards.

Perhaps you should elaborate what I am 'incorrect for the record' with...

As stated by others, if you dont think that this is a good deal (which it is; price Wagyu anywhere and youll see it is) then say it and leave it at that. No need to force your opinion out that this seems like advertising. If you say that, every thread on Bargain Alerts is advertising...

vicwatson

Africa wrote: »

Perhaps you should elaborate what I am 'incorrect for the record' with...

As stated by others, if you dont think that this is a good deal (which it is; price Wagyu anywhere and youll see it is) then say it and leave it at that. No need to force your opinion out that this seems like advertising. If you say that, every thread on Bargain Alerts is advertising...

You are incorrect that I'm a naysayer for the record. Elaborate enough?

How am I forcing my opinion, I gave my opinion that this thread seems has gone as if it's an ad for the restaurant. I'm entitled to my opinion as the next.

The OP was right to post the BA, those that think it's a BA then go for it, those that don't then......don't go for it.

Not every BA thread is advertising, not every BA thread has the owner/representative of the shop/restaurant signing up to boards just to clarify a few things and throw in some free advertising for their business, like the prices of their Dinners, lunches etc etc - unlike this one .;)

Edit ;

This offer should not however be considered indicative of what goes on in Bon Appetit - we also offer an all-in meal of 3 Courses for €30 in the Brasserie, as well as Sunday Lunch for only €23.95 (with Kids Dining Free). We regularly host foodie nights in our Michelin Star Restaurant 'upstairs' and generally offer something for everyone - which ever dining experience they choose.