re: Ruffino's on the River Grand opening tomorrow in Lafayette

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Here is the follow-up, if Ruffino's cant make it at that location, does it turn to an indictment of Lafayette?

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I don't really think it would be because I think the biggest issue is the facility itself. I've seen successful restauranteurs, like Danny Meyer in NYC, fail simply because they rolled out a concept in a space that was too large. He closed Tabla, a restaurant that by all accounts was very good and well reviewed, a few years ago simply because the economics of the business make it difficult to support a large space. I think that site was pricey, they built a first class, large capacity facility on it, and the economics are a challenge. Cochon failed, I wouldn't be surprised if Ruffinos fails, and if they do, each subsequent tenant will face the same problem. Because of the primo geographic location the rent on that spot is going to stay high and every restauranteur will think they can make it work. I wouldn't be surprised if that site is a banquet/special event facility in five years.

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I would think one is looking for a very different dining experience when going to Ruffino's or going to Carraba's.

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You said in a previous post that you believed Lafayette is a food town and not a restaurant town. If that's the case then Lafayette will choose the location that provides them with the best type of meal at the most economical price point.. (Because people that know how to cook won't spend alot of money at a restaurant just because it's a place to see and be seen.)
I've looked at the proposed menu for Ruffino's Lafayette and frankly there's nothing that thrills me about the offerings... in fact, it looks a lot like Carraba's, with fewer options.

Thats a pretty good assessment. Dining in some places is going somewhere and having lots of drinks, standing around a bar, and sharing a few bites of an appetizer. Its one reason why cities need bars and restaurants.

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My impression was the average diner was a "new money" customer who wanted more of a steakhouse atmosphere. Plenty of highballs, and BS like that. Dining is more of a social scene then just a great meal. Plus the younger crowd is completedly unfamiliar with upscale dining. My .02

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This is why a place like Lafonda's has made a killing there for 50+ years, serving food nobody in Lafayette admittedly wants to eat (I actually like the food there) with Everclear margaritas.

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Agree on your example with Tabla, but there are plenty of restaurants that are both large and difficult to get to, which do very well. If the food is good, why shouldn't people go just because a space is large?

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Oh I don't think that size in and of itself isn't necessarily an issue, it's size coupled with high overhead that is a problem. Tabla was right next to Eleven Madison Park, on the next corner, in what I imagine was pricey real estate. Big restaurants do fine all over the place. I think the size of the Cochon/Ruffinos space, plus the fact that it is prime, and they built that place out to nice specs, means they've got a big hurdle to get over, and I just think that is going to be hard for anyone to over come. The huge fixed cost is likely the difference between a place like that succeeding relative to a big place out in the country somewhere that can survive on lower margins, or even thrive with a seasonal business. Having said all that, I hope they do well, they seem like nice people.

Except that LaFonda is old Lafayette.. People from the surrounding areas and people that are new to Lafayette have to get drunk there a couple of times to appreciate it.

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they've got a big hurdle to get over

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Also, the fact that the menu is Italian specific, limits the diner.. But I'll be there this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. I'm anxious to see what they've done with the place, even though my family's picture isn't on the wall in the dining room anymore.

I'd like to know how many diners have seen "accidents" in the dining room.. Well.. I take it back. I don't wanna know.

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For a city its size, Lafayette and the Lafayette area have a significant number of dining options. The only competition Ruffino's will face however, and the only restaurant that should feel any concern is Carraba's.

The only indictment on Lafayette, if Ruffino's fails, is that they chose another option, around the corner, that's easier to access.

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Are you serious? Carabbas? A semi decent place for Italian food is going to be Ruffino's competition? If so, doesn't say much for Ruffino's reputation. Of course, I know its just an opinion, but...wow is all I can say.

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Ruffino's in Baton Rouge is a very large restaurant. I think they'll do just fine.

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How does being large equate to success? Just curious.

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I believe that that spot on the river where Ruffino's is located may be one of them.

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The only place at that location prior was Cochons. The place restaurants go to die in Lafayette is on the corner of Johnson and Vital. The latest to close there was Gabe's LaFonda spin off.