Philadelphia restaurants cut prices, including Hiroki

Philadelphia restaurants and bakeries are trimming menu prices in a move that runs against years of steady increases. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on May 13 that businesses including Hiroki, the Fishtown omakase counter, and Termini Bros., the century-old South Philadelphia bakery, have lowered prices to bring customers back. The cuts span high-end tasting menus and everyday desserts. Owners told local media the goal is to keep offerings within reach as diners watch spending. ### How much did Hiroki cut its omakase? Hiroki’s reservation page says the restaurant began offering a new omakase at $195 per guest on April 29, exclusive of tax and service fees. Resy says the restaurant adds a 20% service charge and describes the meal as a 20-plus-course experience led by executive chef Hiroki Fujiyama. The Philadelphia Inquirer said on May 13 that Hiroki’s omakase is now nearly $100 cheaper than a year ago. The paper tied the price change to a broader push by some Philadelphia operators to improve traffic by lowering the cost of entry. ### What did Termini Bros. actually lower? Termini Bros. said on April 21 that it reduced prices on four staple items, including 8-inch birthday cakes, coffee cakes, pound cake loaves and cupcakes. (resy.com) FOX 29 reported that Joseph Termini, a general manager, said the bakery cut 8-inch birthday cakes by 25% to $30 from $40 and lowered cupcakes to $3 from $5. (inquirer.com) Joseph Termini told FOX 29 that the cupcake reduction was the “crowned jewel” of the move. Vincent “Vinny” Termini Jr., also a general manager, said the changes were meant to support customers rather than protect profit margins, according to the station. ### Why are operators saying they are doing this now? (fox29.com) The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on May 13 that owners described the lower prices as a way to keep customers coming back. The examples it cited ranged from omakase to cupcakes, suggesting the strategy is not confined to one part of the market. Joseph Termini gave a more specific account in the FOX 29 interview. (fox29.com) He said the brothers decided to act after seeing a boy and his mother scale back a cupcake purchase because of cost. “We can only afford to get two,” he recalled hearing, according to the station. ### Is this a citywide rollback or a handful of examples? (inquirer.com) The May 13 Inquirer report presented the cuts as a developing pattern rather than a broad, measured decline in Philadelphia restaurant prices. The story highlighted named businesses and specific items, but it did not describe a citywide index or industrywide percentage drop. Resy and Termini Bros.’ public materials confirm the named changes at Hiroki and the bakery’s current Philadelphia footprint. (fox29.com) Termini Bros. lists locations in South Philadelphia, Reading Terminal Market, Comcast Center, Live! Casino and Nonna and Pops. ### Where can customers check the new prices? Hiroki’s current omakase price appears on its Resy booking page, which says the $195 menu has been available since Wednesday, April 29. (inquirer.com) Termini Bros.’ lower prices were announced April 21 in local television coverage, and the bakery’s website lists its store locations for in-person purchases. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s May 13 food coverage is where the broader Philadelphia pricing trend was reported this week. (termini.com) Customers looking for the named examples can find Hiroki through Resy and Termini Bros. through its bakery site and Philadelphia storefronts. (inquirer.com) (resy.com)