quote:
I'd like to think my opinion makes more sense than yours being that there are already rumblings of Cochon folding. I frequent both and I'd like to think I'm in good company with my opinion.

you seem to be assuming that if they close it's because of the food and I'd disagree with that. If Cochon closes, and I wouldn't be surprised if it does, I would chalk it up to a bad business plan rather than inferior food. I thought the first time I went there that they would have a hard time making it and posted that here. They built a huge facility in the most expensive location in Lafayette, and that space has to be 2-3 times larger than Pamplona. Restaurants with great food go out of business all the time. Danny Meyer, probably the most successful restaurateur in NY closed his restaurant Tabla a couple of years ago because he couldn't make money, not because the food was bad, or because it was poorly reviewed, it was simply too big.

I like Pamplona, it's a solid place. But it's run by a couple of line cooks who put out a menu that's relatively static.. I think the conception and execution of dishes at Cochon is on another level entirely from Pamplona.

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Posted by G Vice

Lafayette, LA

Member since Dec 2006

12911 posts

Posted on 8/4/12 at 10:12 am to coolpapaboze

I hope the OP comes back here to post a follow-up.

I agree with your post above. Me and a friend ate at Cochon last week and it was great. I got the pork cheek appetizer and the pork shoulder entree, and they could not have improved on either of those dishes. Excellent bourbon menu as well. I got my Rowan's Creek on the rocks, and was very happy.

Good ambiance, albeit a little slow, given we got there at 9 pm.

Pamplona is also good, with good mixologists, but the food portion sizes are small for the money.

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Posted by Signature

Omnipresent

Member since Sep 2005

6738 posts

Posted on 8/4/12 at 11:18 am to coolpapaboze

quote:
coolpapaboze

I'll concede to you on many of your points. I've just had too many bad experiences at Cochon with staff, service, bartenders, and dishes. Very good possibility I've simply been unfortunate. I should have been clear, food is often solid and some dishes even great. I might hold a little grudge due to the lackluster overall experiences I've endured. I can admit when I'm wrong, I may have been unfair to say there was "no comparison". Cochon does have an outstanding concept and provides for a unique experience. Clearly, if they still get my business.

Pamplona IMO is on a different level. They spend serious money on kitchen staff and spare no expense in preparing a dish(which they pass down to the customer). I would still make the same recommendation for a romantic dinner, but I'd use more delicate words to describe Cochon.

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Posted by 91TIGER

Lafayette

Member since Aug 2006

17690 posts

Posted on 8/4/12 at 12:44 pm to Signature

quote:
Pamplona's food is head and shoulders better than Cochon. It's truly not even close. Ambiance is better as well. There is a reason Pamplona is doing twice as well with half the location of Cochon.

THIS !!! / thread

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