A lot of businesses are using the recession as an excuse to roll out discounted or bargain deals that sound like a bigger bargain than they really are. Take into account this story. Sure it sounds good on the surface. A decent sit down entree for $10…but only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. And it doesn’t include drink, tax, and tip. Add everything up and you’re paying $15-18 per person for a weeknight meal. Still pretty pricey compared to Bread Company or even that box of pasta I have sitting at home. What initially seems like a nice gesture by a restaurant turns into a marketing gimmick to improve business only on the slow weeknights. Notice apparently they don’t need to offer the discount on weekends. I like Trattoria Marcella, and this is a decent deal if you dine extensively during the week, but let’s not make it more than what it really is: an attempt to drum up business for themselves, not a huge bargain for the customer.

yum yum

Joe: Thanks for the update. Great restaurant, good prices.

SuperSleuth: Perhaps you should consider the fact that some people can’t afford restaurants like this on weekends. This gives folks a chance to sample it and good for the P-D in alerting folks that one of the best restaurants in town is a bit more affordable on certain days.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, supersleuth, but yours is absurd. TM is not trying to compete with Panera or the ramen noodles in your cabinet. They are trying to cater to people who are on a budget but enjoy an upscale meal cooked by someone else. Yes, it may help business, but what difference does that make to the consumer? Also, the deal isn’t worth less because it’s during the week. The budget-conscious, upscale diners will appreciate the chance to get a $10 steak from one of the best restaurants in town, even if they have to go out on, heaven forbid, a Thursday night. And complaining about drinks, tax and tip–do you not have to do this at any other sit down restaurant?

I suppose the other commenters have shown why there’s still a use for marketing departments. People want to believe what they’re being told, instead of the truth. Kudos to Trattoria for being able to sell this “deal”

Well put Super! These restaurants ‘want’ you to believe that it is a good deal. $10 entree? Trust me when your $10 plate of food comes out it will look different in size than a normal $18 entree. I’ve seen it all before.

You are reading a food blog written by a restaurant critic…..great info Joe, I’m glad the Komerick’s are able to offer great value for the $. To get out of a top restaurant for $20 mid week is GREAT! Obviously if you are on a tight budget you may not be eating out at all. But for those of us interested in what’s going on with STL restaurant scene, this is super news.

Thank you Joe.

the last time to this restaurant was, and is the last time,they charged a 5.00 PLATING FEE for a 22.00 PASTA special and my wifes bowl of pasta was dry and mine was floating in mushroom and sauce.WOW never again.

HEY THIS IS GREAT……LETS KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD GOING STRONG….BUT WILL THE DRIVE THROUGH BE OPEN?…….BUILDING LOOKS GREAT!

It’s too bad that there are people out there that have to look into the negative side of everything. The fact is that TM is a small business that is trying to get customers in the seats on nights that might otherwise be slow, and comparing TM to Panera Bread, give me a break! Kudos to Trattoria! At least when you go to a place like TM your food is being prepared by people who are creative and care about your experience, and not some assembly line in a cooperate commissary only to be re-plated for you by some teenager who could give a damn if you enjoy it. That in itself is the bargain to the customer.