Friday 21 September 2007

Darjoh's in Bellerive (Asian)

Got takeaway from Darjoh's tonight. Surprised at the takeaway prices - You're looking at an average main course price $15 - 20. By todays standards that probably doesn't seem like too much, but for takeaway, I think it is. My decision was to have takeaway tonight. I was happy to spend the money if it were that tasty but it wasn't really.

It was just average Thai takeaway. I had Pla Pad Nam - deep fried fish fillets with a sweet basil and crushed fresh chilli sauce at $19.50.

I really can't think of anything to say about it other than that it was what it says it was.

Perhaps I'm feeling that usual Friday night way - that "I just want to get home, slip into something comfortable, blob out and forget there's a world out there"-type feeling.

Whatever - if I wanted a decent average Asian meal, lived on the Eastern shore and didn't want to drive into the city for dinner, that's where I'd head. If I wanted superb Asian food, I'd head elsewhere.
Posted on by Rita
9 comments

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hate having a cold Rita it makes me get Grumpy (dont worry sir G theres no contact out on you, even if you were a mod), when I see what you have written.
Theres not much logic to what i am about to say, its just a reaction, of sorts.
$19.50 for a takeaway fried fish and a bit of sauce, presumably you got rice with that.
You are right in that it seems expensive. It further adds to my price parity dilemas here.
I thought I'd quickly check online some prices around Oz for Pla Pad Nam. It seems most are around the $13.50 - $16 mark.
Further more, I would have charged you around $24.50 for say a pan fried Ocean Trout with Asparagus lemon dill and safron sauce. O.K Im $5 dearer, but thats dine in, skilleted and not deep fried. In fact the cinzzanno steamed mussels etc are cheaper than your takeout.

I charge what the market will bear, if I could charge more I would. If these guys can get away with it then more power to them.
I don't know what is normal in the takeaway game price wise as I so rarely eat take out, but I would be interested to know how they compare to restaurant prices in terms of value for money and quality.
Maybe I should open a gourmet takeaway, would save on the washing up.

Rita said...

Good points Cartouch, and, no, that price didn't include rice. I already had steamed jasmine rice in my fridge left over from the night before, so didn't order rice.

And that's exactly the logic I used when assessing as to whether that was as expensive as it seemded to me to be. I thought to myself that if I had had a sit-down meal, served by a waitperson at a restaurant, I was sure the price would be cheaper round the traps, and if it were Vanidols I probably wouldn't have batted an eyelid. But as it was just a rinky dinky little suburban place, I thought if it were my business I'd be encouraging locals in by lowering my prices a tad in favour of attracting more clientele.

As you say, boiled down (ie take away the Thai language description), it amounted to deep fried fish - approx 7 cubes of same - in a chilli/garlic sauce. Not real expensive to pop on the plate.

I compared their t/a prices to my t/a menu from Me Wah and found only the odd $2 difference in similar Asian dishes. I actually commented on this to attendant when I ordered, not unkindly, just astounded at the t/a pricing structure for this particular establishment.

Don't get me wrong. The place itself was a nice little restaurant. I felt very comfortable there, and if I hadn't had that overwhelming desire to be home and away from the world, I would have eaten in, and probably given it reasonable review.

I do think I owe them a slight apology as I admit to having had a large dose of the Friday night syndrome, as described in the post. I shouldn't have been so harsh (for me) in my comments, but still stick by my opinion of their prices. For what I got, I think it was too overpriced.

Anonymous said...

Rita just a few doors up from Darjohs is a little place called Lime and Lemongrass. Its lovely.
Not an extensive menu but so lovely and fresh on the couple of occassions I've eaten there. Their prices range from $10.00 to $16.00 and that being for seafood or prawn dishes. I have travelled to the Eastern shore just to eat there, but now can't go past Siam Garden. My favourite there being Pla Lard Nah Khing, Deep fried trevalley in fresh ginger and vegetable sauce. And at $16.50 a bargain. I know this isn't on the Eastern shore but in reality it's only 10 minutes away if that.
I don't mind paying a bit extra for good food but I do mnd paying extra for food that's not worth it.

Rita said...

Christina - agreed about Siam Garden. I've been going there for many years, and love it, not only for the food and value, but also for watching Jasmine's antics! She's one zany lady, but seems to be mellowing as the years go by.

Have seen the Lime & Lemongrass you mentioned but not been in there. Will try it & see soon.

Anonymous said...

well its a bit of an anomaly (i live close by to the Darj and yes the prices have gone up a fair bit) and the take away has been average but if you eat in its fantastic the food is delicious im not sure why theres a difference but ive eaten in at least a dozen times and its been great every time

Anonymous said...

Everytime i have been to darjohs, i have enjoyed the meal everytime. Ive never had a problem with their food. I always loko forward to their delicious meals there.

Anonymous said...

just ordered takeaway and got home to find no rice - went back and was charged $4.50!! being somewhat annoyed I rang up annon and was told rice was included with t/away - meal was very ordinary - do your self a favour and go somewhere else

Rita said...

That's shitty Anon 10.08, and I'm really sorry about that. I would be really pissed if that happened to me too. How was the food you ordered?

Liz said...

Got take away last night. Charged $49 for two main and rice. Although the order was correct on the slip, I got home to find I had been given a Mussaman curry rather than Ayam Petis which is my favourite. Rang up and the girl at the desk was lovely and offered us a free meal ext time. Ten mins later she rings back - apparently it was the right meal - it just comes with potatoes now. Yeah right! Looked like Mussaman, tasted like Mussaman, tasted NOTHING like Ayam Petis - no star anise for starters! Am presuming the management didn't like the idea of giving away a free meal and just basically lied to get out of it. Very unimpressed as up until then we've been really happy with them.