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Started By
Message
Gino's last night. Bemused about portion size.
Posted on 12/17/11 at 2:29 pm
Posted on 12/17/11 at 2:29 pm
I preface this by stating that I love Gino's. Have been a good customer for lunch and dinner for nigh on 20 years.
I went last night and had, overall, the usual pleasant experience. However, I was displeased with my portion size. My husband noted on the way there that he hoped he would get full, because their portion size has decreased. I had never really noticed, but he goes there more than I do, so I reserved judgment.
We split an arancine as an appetizer. Wonderful as always. Lawrence Bread = satisfying as well. I ordered one of the best Bloody Marys I have ever had. Good, right? I ordered veal piccata as an entree, as I have always been pleased with their veal dishes. It was very good. Fork tender as veal should be, and the sauce smooth and tart. The problem? Three tiny pieces. I mean TINY -- about two inches wide three inches long. Scallopini, as is expected, so very thinly cut. The total weight of meat on the plate was prob about 3 ounces. Price? $21.75. This left me a bit disgruntled.
Now I am a girl and don't need a ton of food to be happy. I am grossed out by places where they give a diner enough food for a family of four. But this seemed excessively skimpy. BTW, husband got the veal parm and it was served in a little ramekin. About the same amount of veal as my dish had. He was not full.
I have had veal piccata at Ruffino's, and the plate was full of veal. I had to take half of it home. However, the piccata sauce at Ruffino's is too dark, strong and intense. So I guess I can get a bite of the good stuff at Gino's or a ton of less appealing food at Ruffino's. Sigh. Not a good decision to make.
I know everyone is cutting costs, but to spend $22 on an entree that small just does not sit right with me. Has anyone else noticed this at Gino's?
I went last night and had, overall, the usual pleasant experience. However, I was displeased with my portion size. My husband noted on the way there that he hoped he would get full, because their portion size has decreased. I had never really noticed, but he goes there more than I do, so I reserved judgment.
We split an arancine as an appetizer. Wonderful as always. Lawrence Bread = satisfying as well. I ordered one of the best Bloody Marys I have ever had. Good, right? I ordered veal piccata as an entree, as I have always been pleased with their veal dishes. It was very good. Fork tender as veal should be, and the sauce smooth and tart. The problem? Three tiny pieces. I mean TINY -- about two inches wide three inches long. Scallopini, as is expected, so very thinly cut. The total weight of meat on the plate was prob about 3 ounces. Price? $21.75. This left me a bit disgruntled.
Now I am a girl and don't need a ton of food to be happy. I am grossed out by places where they give a diner enough food for a family of four. But this seemed excessively skimpy. BTW, husband got the veal parm and it was served in a little ramekin. About the same amount of veal as my dish had. He was not full.
I have had veal piccata at Ruffino's, and the plate was full of veal. I had to take half of it home. However, the piccata sauce at Ruffino's is too dark, strong and intense. So I guess I can get a bite of the good stuff at Gino's or a ton of less appealing food at Ruffino's. Sigh. Not a good decision to make.
I know everyone is cutting costs, but to spend $22 on an entree that small just does not sit right with me. Has anyone else noticed this at Gino's?
4
Posted on 12/17/11 at 2:48 pm to eleventy
Might have just been the cuts they had. The veal parm is always server in the "boat" dish. I went about a week ago and noticed no difference in anything.
Posted on 12/17/11 at 4:34 pm to eleventy
I went recently and didn't notice any issues with portions.
How much do y'all weigh?
quote:
Now I am a girl and don't need a ton of food to be happy. I am grossed out by places where they give a diner enough food for a family of four. But this seemed excessively skimpy. BTW, husband got the veal parm and it was served in a little ramekin. About the same amount of veal as my dish had. He was not full.
How much do y'all weigh?
Posted on 12/17/11 at 4:37 pm to eleventy
Welcome to the fact that inflation does exist, but is being hidden very well by virtue of portion control and packaging changes in retail and resturants, before raising of prices.
Posted on 12/17/11 at 4:43 pm to urinetrouble
quote:
How much do y'all weigh?
You think they beat anorexia?
Posted on 12/17/11 at 9:25 pm to urinetrouble
Classic.
Posted on 12/17/11 at 9:57 pm to eleventy
Love Laurence and Gino, have known them for a lifetime, are family friends. But, rarely go any longer, their prices have been climbing for ages, and the recent decade has seen their portions shrink, especially since the recession hit(a common practice across most food categories rather than raise prices vs supplier inflations)..
When entrees get out into that higher range and smaller portion, then I want steak, chop, or osso buco...not alfredo, penne, angel hair..and in such small portions.
Ruffino's, Carraba's, Nino's, DiGiulio, etc..portions are still solid.
Haven't been to Maggio's since reopening, but hear he is doing some solid cooking again.
When entrees get out into that higher range and smaller portion, then I want steak, chop, or osso buco...not alfredo, penne, angel hair..and in such small portions.
Ruffino's, Carraba's, Nino's, DiGiulio, etc..portions are still solid.
Haven't been to Maggio's since reopening, but hear he is doing some solid cooking again.
This post was edited on 12/17/11 at 10:11 pm
Posted on 12/17/11 at 10:05 pm to urinetrouble
We both are within typical "ideal weight" guidelines. The others in our party thought the portions were really small as well. They got the specials, and did not have the same issue. It may have been the cuts of veal they had available as mentioned previously, because my husband always gets the veal parm and it has never been this small.
This post was edited on 12/17/11 at 10:09 pm
Posted on 12/18/11 at 11:25 am to TheRoarRestoredInBR
quote:
Ruffino's, Carraba's, Nino's, DiGiulio, etc..portions are still solid
Carraba's? Really? You put that up there? Might as well throw in Bravo and Olive Garden.
I sat down and had drinks with a couple of the chefs there last night. The cost of food goes up, the cost of the menu goes up. Same as it is anywhere. Also the presentation is deceptive as well. All the meat is generally weighed out to be the same amount every time. Sometimes the cuts are bigger, sometimes smaller. Just depends on what's in stock at the time, when you went, and how much closer to the end of a cycle you were.
Posted on 12/18/11 at 11:39 am to Geauxld Finger
quote:
Just depends on what's in stock at the time, when you went, and how much closer to the end of a cycle you were.
Why should that matter?
A restaurant with any respect wouldn't short cut potions. Just say 'It's no longer available'
Posted on 12/18/11 at 12:56 pm to TheRoarRestoredInBR
maggios reopened ?
Posted on 12/18/11 at 1:04 pm to Enadious
quote:
Just depends on what's in stock at the time, when you went, and how much closer to the end of a cycle you were.
Why should that matter?
A restaurant with any respect wouldn't short cut potions. Just say 'It's no longer available'
On a Saturday night at 6:30 Gino's I would not think Gino's should be short of veal. I tend to think it is more an issue of economics. I understand this, but am disappointed nonetheless.
I bought veal scallopini at the grocery a few weeks ago -- $7 for more than twice as much as I had on my plate Saturday. Suppose I'll be making my own and getting other choices at Gino's in the future.
Posted on 12/18/11 at 1:26 pm to eleventy
Veal parm is the same size it's always been. I really haven't paid attention to prices recently, but $21 for that veal parm is too high.
Posted on 12/18/11 at 2:12 pm to LSUAfro
I believe the veal parm was less than $21 -- maybe $18. The piccata was $21. Both prices are too high for the portion.
Posted on 12/18/11 at 3:41 pm to Zilla
quote:
maggios reopened ?
I didn't know this either.
Regardless, I won't give that man a cent of my money. He is a grade A piece of shite. I have 0 respect for that man.
Posted on 12/18/11 at 3:46 pm to eleventy
You are ignoring labor cost and over head in eating at a restaurant versus purchase in a store.
Posted on 12/18/11 at 3:53 pm to CITWTT
I am well aware of these costs. I understand the economics of the restaurant business having had family in this business all of my life. Eating out is usually worth the costs and it is extremely rare that I actually feel ripped off by portion size in a restaurant where I really enjoy the food. I did in this case, so will enjoy veal at home rather than at Gino's. That's all I'm saying.
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