Pele's Wood Fire - Park and King

[mtraininjax]

2 Enitrely different places and people.

No, not really, I still know of the same items are still on the menu, things Erica and Jeffrey had on the original menu. Even when Steve was the owner, the pork chop dish is still on the menu from then. The issue is that the location went through A LOT of changes, and what is Pele's today, may be indeed totally different as people's tastes and preferences carry through to the owners.

Any restaurant that rests on what it is today and does not change, is doomed to failure. The folks at Pele's will get it right, they did it right at RAM, they will get back to what makes people happy.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

The issue is that the location went through A LOT of changes, and what is Pele's today, may be indeed totally different as people's tastes and preferences carry through to the owners.

Sure it did, they're two completely different restaurants with different staff, ownership etc..  That's like saying Bluefish and Sterlings are the same because they each served crabcakes.

Pele's is the same ownership in a different location, and I don't doubt that they'll get it right, but the difference from what we've become used to at IAW and RAM and what they're serving at Park&King are not the same.

[Brian Siebenschuh]

Just to clarify, Jeffrey & Erika & I left Crush over seven years ago, and it closed a couple of years after that.

Crystal & I approached Jon Insetta about opening a similar (i.e. French bistro) concept in the same location in late 2007, and while I pulled a couple of dishes out of the old repertoire, nothing is "the same".  Sure, we serve mussels mariniere and steak frites like every other French bistro in the world, but the execution is different.

Crush's pork chop was a White Marble Farms chop (produced by Cargill and disingenuously named) with leeks and a reduced cream sauce with Granny Smith apples and apple cider.  It was good.  A little heavy and sweet, looking back on it, but a good dish.

Orsay's pork chop changed a couple times early on but hit its stride early and hasn't changed since probably early 2009 - it's Eden Farms Berkshire pork (www.betterpork.com) with braised cabbage, apples, Eden Farms bacon, Pommery mustard cream, and fingerling potatoes.  It's a better, more balanced dish, based on higher quality ingredients.

At any rate, Matt and Micah can cook some great food, and I wish them the best.  And just to derail the thread a little further, DOES anybody know what's going on with the taco shop in the old Jackson's space?

[mtraininjax]

Sure it did, they're two completely different restaurants with different staff, ownership etc..  That's like saying Bluefish and Sterlings are the same because they each served crabcakes.

Pele's is the same ownership in a different location, and I don't doubt that they'll get it right, but the difference from what we've become used to at IAW and RAM and what they're serving at Park&King are not the same.

As usual, we have killed the horse 100x over, the point I made was that Pele's today will evolve and change in order to succeed.

Since you brought up Sterlings, please, that is like saying Biscottis is the same as BB's, when we know the owners are similar, but the food is different and people go there for different reasons. Frank still owns the building, but he leases the restaurant to Richard, and for good reason. I can't remember seeing as many people as you see on a given night at the former Sterlings as we do now with Blue Fish.

[MusicMan]

Bobby said 30 -45 days last time I asked him.

I stoppped going to Kickbacks because of "the experience."

Pele's is doing fine. You really cannot compare their pizza to anyone else's. It may not be for you. I love it.

Had the wings. Loved 'em.

As far as I know, best priced specialty cocktail  menu in the district. Noticed an older crowd in the bar early on Friday and Saturday.

[undergroundgourmet]

As far as I know, best priced specialty cocktail  menu in the district.

I beg to differ...have to you been to Orsay?

[BridgeTroll]

As far as I know, best priced specialty cocktail  menu in the district.

I beg to differ...have to you been to Orsay?

Agree... my vote is for Orsay...

[ben says]

As far as I know, best priced specialty cocktail  menu in the district.

I beg to differ...have to you been to Orsay?

Agree... my vote is for Orsay...

+1.

[RiversideHusker]

Do I have their website correct: http://www.peleswoodfire.com/ I'm interested in trying out their food, but can't find their menu, hours, etc. on the website and I like to have an idea of how much this will cost before I go.

[Captain Zissou]

Pele's is doing fine. You really cannot compare their pizza to anyone else's. It may not be for you. I love it.

Had the wings. Loved 'em.

As far as I know, best priced specialty cocktail  menu in the district. Noticed an older crowd in the bar early on Friday and Saturday.

Guys.  MusicMan has a vested interest of some sort in Pele's.  Disregard his overly favorable comments. 

[Gators312]

Pele's is doing fine. You really cannot compare their pizza to anyone else's. It may not be for you. I love it.

Had the wings. Loved 'em.

As far as I know, best priced specialty cocktail  menu in the district. Noticed an older crowd in the bar early on Friday and Saturday.

Guys.  MusicMan has a vested interest of some sort in Pele's.  Disregard his overly favorable comments.

Cap'n you read my mind.  Almost reminds me of the International Grill reviewer....   

That is their website Husker, don't know why it is devoid of useful information though.

[Lucasjj]

He has come out and said that he helped facilitate the introduction, I don't know if it is anything more than that.

I really miss the smelly old pharmacy...........................................................NOT.

What a transformation. I am proud to say I introduced Matt to the owner (of the building) and therby facilitated, in some small way, his presence in our neighborhood. Cannot wait to enjoy my first beer and pizza there, it will be the first of many.

[ben says]

Do I have their website correct: http://www.peleswoodfire.com/ I'm interested in trying out their food, but can't find their menu, hours, etc. on the website and I like to have an idea of how much this will cost before I go.

Go to their Facebook page.

Pele's is doing fine. You really cannot compare their pizza to anyone else's. It may not be for you. I love it.

Had the wings. Loved 'em.

As far as I know, best priced specialty cocktail  menu in the district. Noticed an older crowd in the bar early on Friday and Saturday.

Guys.  MusicMan has a vested interest of some sort in Pele's.  Disregard his overly favorable comments.

Cap'n you read my mind.  Almost reminds me of the International Grill reviewer....   

That is their website Husker, don't know why it is devoid of useful information though.

Good call on the International Grill-type review.

[ben says]

Well...this thread has been dead for awhile...it's now March, going on April...any changes of heart?

[cline]

Went there for lunch today.  Sat at the bar, had a pizza and a couple of beers.  Quite tasty.