How much are you willing to pay for a quality meal at a restaurant?
Chef James Diack prides himself on offering memorable dining experiences to discerning patrons. He talks to Rian van Heerden about how to get the best meal for a great price.
When you go out to a restaurant, you expect the highest quality of service and a great meal to boot. What you are not always prepared for is the extreme price of a meal for two at some restaurants.
You pay the bill grudgingly, all the while wondering: how can food possibly cost this much?
Restaurant owners and managers claim that the pricing of food has to align with the operational costs of the establishment. In other instances, it seems patrons are paying for the brand idea and the atmosphere of the restaurant rather than the food.
The Scenic Drive team challenged themselves to guess how much a good plate of food goes for at one of James's restaurants.
Chef James Diack has made his mark on the Johannesburg foodie scene in recent years, giving new life to a beloved Melville establishment (La Stalla) and running Parkhurst eatery Coobs, among other things.
Chef James believes that menu items should be priced according to what it takes to make each meal. If a restaurant owner is able to keep patrons coming back for more, then they are well on their way to success.