Last night around 5:30 we fancied eating out. Living in NW, the options are fairly diverse, but I’m picky when I want to be, and so…we began by ruling out the Taste of Jakarta on SW 12th and Jefferson, not because it’s not incredible, but because we’ve eaten there, like, every other meal since it opened. I called Pok Pok on the East Side, because I figured I still maybe wanted Asian food, even if it meant getting a Zipcar, but they were closed for two weeks for annual cleaning, and the Malay Satay Hut on 82nd has also been somewhat overdone by the Davis household over the last six months. So we thought we’d take a walk down to Clyde Common, but without any obvious warning on their website, they were closed for a private party. DANG.
Using the Ace Hotel’s internet (also bookmarking the Portland Mercury‘s site on their Safari, lucky for their guests!) I got the number for Piazza Italia, a reliable Italian in the Pearl. Calling at 6pm, they didn’t have any tables free until 8:15.
“No, we’d like to eat before then,” I said, somewhat frustrated, but realizing it’s vital to make a reservation in this town if you want to eat anywhere on a Sunday night. With many of the restaurants closed, I guess a bunch of people go to the reliable and popular open ones.
So we walked down to the Pearl with the idea of going to Hotlips, looked in the window of Sungari Pearl, realized I still wanted something Asian but that I didn’t want to pay the upscale price of one of their entrees, and ended up at Sinju Sushi, where the dynamite roll was fabulous, but thanks to having trudged all over Portland, I wasn’t really in the mood any more.
Afterwards, fancying a spot of dessert, I looked in the window of Stumptown under the Ace, where they’d run out of cookies, so I went into Kenny and Zuke‘s next door, and paid $6.75 for a slice of cheesecake. To go.
“That can’t be right,” said the server, ringing it up, and checking with a co-worker.
“It’s right,” she said.
“$6.75 for a slice of cheesecake?” I asked. Still, somewhat unsure of my ability to maintain a reasonable tone, I decided to pay it and take whatever lesson the Lord had set aside for me last night, right up the botty:
GRAINY CELLPHONE PICTURE: SHOWS CHEESECAKE…
The cheesecake was good. But at a dollar a bite, I don’t think it was that good. And my point is, perhaps, broader, in that it would be nice if Portland’s restaurants could realize that there’s a booming market for Sunday night dining, if only they’d put more effort into providing it. Until that happens I’ll be up in my apartment, watching The Wire, eating homemade borscht while my checking account acquires interest that could be spent on “choosing local.”
Two opinions:
1. Establishments need to charge what they need to charge, and we are free to pay or skip it. The buyer never figures in the cost of ingredients, transportation, insurance, workman’s comp. and etc. To me, $6.75 sounds a little high, but not unreasonably so.
2. I bake a very mean cheesecake, always for my daughter’s birthday. The ingredients cost about $4.50 per cake, and out of that I can get ten healthy slices.
$5 for all the ingredients? You can’t possibly be using good ingredients. I call b.s.
Had some tasty ganja cheesecake recently and it certainly didn’t cost that much…hope it was tasty!
I, too, went out for dinner last night, but found a delightful thai place with no other diners in it. We had the place to ourselves.
Christ, that was a boring post.
Also, Matt: If you’re actually trying to start a conversation about this (as opposed to simply filling your word-count), you might want to take this post over to portlandfood.org .
2 8-ounce packs cream cheese @ $1.50/each
1 sleeve graham crackers, 60 cents
4 eggs, 66 cents
1/2 stick butter (which I buy in bulk), 40 cents
1 cup sugar (ditto), 40 cents
2 cups sour cream, $2
1 t. real vanilla, 20 cents
Total: $7.26. So sue me.
Your recipe sounds fine, and I’m not questioning your costs. However, it’s not our recipe, and it’s not the ingredients we use. Without divulging the recipe, let me just say that in one of our cheesecakes that serves 12, there’s almost 3 lbs. of cream cheese. And we’re using Gina Marie, which at wholesale is about $3.75 per lb. We also use more butter than yours.
It’s a pretty good-sized piece, too big to devour in 6 bites, IMO. I think it’s the best cheesecake in town, and the price is on our menu. Last time I checked there was no one standing over it with a loaded gun forcing people to buy it.
In addition to what Ken said, Matt, it’s worth noting that the other two delis in town, Kornblatt’s and Rose’s, sell their cheesecake for only about a buck less per slice. I, of course, believe ours to be better and I encourage you to test that belief and compare. Value is always a personal decision and maybe that buck isn’t worth a better cheesecake to you. As a food lover who puts quality above price in most circumstances, it would be to me. But everyone has different priorities.
It’s worth noting, also, that if you’d gotten yourself to Clyde Common or Pok Pok, two of the places high on your list, you would have paid as much or more for dessert — and probably for something the size of our cheesecake or smaller. Pok Pok’s desserts are all $6.50 or more. Clyde’s desserts are $7 each right now. Both serve relatively simple, but enjoyable desserts — in fact the parsnip cake I had at Clyde recently was terrific — but the ingredients are certainly no more expensive than our cheesecake’s.
Also, the cheesecake is our highest priced dessert. Our slices of cakes and pies are $4.50 to $5.50 each. You can get a sundae for only $3.50 and we have several bars and cookies for $2 or less. Not many restaurants have those sorts of inexpensive options. And the focus on the price of the cheesecake and your “shock” belies the fact that we’re one of the best dining values in downtown, especially with our $12.50 3 course dinner where you get soup or salad, a quarter pound or larger sandwich with side, and a brownie or pecan bar sundae.
I’m glad you came by. Next time you should get stuffed on the $7.25 take-out special or satisfy your sweet tooth by choosing something that fits your pocketbook better.
Hey, Matt, I found you a slice of cheesecake:
http://www.supersizedmeals.com/food/articl…
Hello all my name is Torrance Wade, I am a relocated talented Chef from California. I soon will be whole selling my mouth watering, rich silky smooth Cheese Cakes, with a variety of fresh and decadent toppings on them. I agree some folks may have over priced slices of Cheesecake…but a good Cheesecake is not cheap to make… I make less than 30% of the total whole sale cost of the Cheesecake, the other 70% is all ingredient cost.
Depending how the retailer wants the cake sliced 10, 12, 14, 16, 20 slices determines what they charge. Mind you they need to make back the cost of the item plus a small profit. Now I could cut back on the type and amount of ingredients I elect to use…but that would be an act of war against mine and your taste buds to say the least! So the next time you do elect to enjoy a great tasting slice of heavenly Cheesecake, think about what it took to make it, deliver it and serve it…
I will keep you posted on when my cakes hit the market and the select locations in which you can indulge in a perfectly priced lip smacking, finger and plate licking slice of Taste-T’s Cheesecakes.
My most recent creations was a White Chocolate-Coconut Creamed Cheesecake atop with a sweet rich sour cream glazed drizzled with Sweetened Raspberry Liqueur and Fudge..yes… to die for!
Oh and a 5.00 dollar cheesecake…I would be a millionaire by now if it was possible…no offense 🙂
With Great Taste
Chef Torrance Wade
Portland Oregon
look for me soon
http://www.torancewademc.com
twade73@yahoo.com
Hello all Cheesecake fans and foodies…as promised I am back to tell you very soon you shall be able to order your very own Gourmet Cheesecake through our company for under $25.00 (locally Portland)-shipping and handling applies outside of Portland. For those that are calculating that’s less than $2.50 a slice. To the true foodies each Cheesecake weighs over 4lbs, packed with rich, smooth tastiness that will make your eyes roll to the back of your head as you devour each bite.
We are in the final stages to go live. I am also working hard to secure vendors that will agree to sell the tasty treat at an affordable reasonable price. I have also set up the Cheesecake Of The Month Club, as well as, for Groups. Please take the time to checkout the web page as well as the entire site to see what we are up to. I look forward to meeting and hearing from you all – torrancewademc.com/Taste-T_s_Chessecakes.h…
Once you taste it and Love it…be sure to start requesting it by name in your favorite places to eat and snack at – Taste-T’s Cheesecakes and Dessert’s.
With Great Taste,
Torrance Wade
Portland, OR
Hello all you Cheesecake Foodies…Taste’Ts Cheesecake and Desserts is up and running. If you are looking for some sweet deals for the Holidays or just any time treats to yourself or others please check out our online store and deals.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62166732/frien…
Each and everyone of our Cheesecakes are handcrafted and made to order, we deliver (small fee) and we ship. If your into supporting local made in Oregon business we are the shop for you.
Custom orders are not a problem and hands down we have the best tasting Cheesecake around, smooth, rich, and velvety it’s true bliss when you indulge!
Gift Certificates available and Special offers for Facebook Friends and Portland foodies…cannot wait to serve you and hear from you!
With Great Taste,
Torrance Wade
Portland, OR