Brickset Bouts: Parisian Restaurant vs NINJAGO City
Posted by Huw,
We've reached the semi-finals in our quest to find the best set released since Brickset was founded at the dawn of the millennium!
Sixteen sets have been whittled down to just four, all of which are superb and classics in their own right. But, only two can meet in the final so it's up to you to decide which ones.
We will be staging both bouts today, starting with a battle between the modular building that reset the benchmark for the series, 10243 Parisian Restaurant, and the awesomely detailed and full-of-life 70620 NINJAGO City. For the latter, we have none other than Master Wu rapping the advocacy...
10243 Parisian Restaurant
Advocate: Koolbrix
I believe there are many reasons, but to be brief I’ll only list a few. To start off, this set has an exceptionally detailed interior (something groundbreaking for modulars at its release), while maintaining a beautiful and elegant exterior. Its wide-ranging colour palette, parts selection, and innovative techniques provided fans with something truly incredible, while being something that veteran collector or child (albeit with help) could enjoy.
The set is also particularly meaningful as it is infused with personal elements from the designer's (Jamie Berard) life, an example being the proposing minifig representing Jamie’s brother.
When I commenced the rich building experience, I felt as if every single piece was put to its best possible use. From details like the fully stocked refrigerator to the feather elements used for architecture, everything seems to have been crafted with a high level of care and attention.
All of these wonderful aspects makes it stand out from NINJAGO City, which, in my opinion, is a jumbled mash-up I barely even remember seeing in the movie it's tied to.
Another cool thing about the Parisian Restaurant, is that, because of its characteristics, it has become the standard to which new modulars are measured against. On the other hand, NINJAGO City, while unique, honestly kind of feels like a set without a great reason for its existence.
Lastly, I can't skip over the fact that according to Brickset data, the Restaurant is among the most-owned sets. Maybe there is a reason for that! :)
Do something good with your vote by supporting this one-of-a-kind model!
70620 NINJAGO City
Advocate: northgeorgiamasonry
Mr_Hobbles and JaytheNinja19 have advocated brilliantly for Ninjago City in the first 2 rounds. They hit the nail on the head – the set perfectly captures the beautiful yet chaotic vision of Ninjago and the bustling environment of the city.
Now that we’ve reached the semi-finals against the Parisian Restaurant, I think it might be helpful for everyone to hear the perspective of an actual Ninjago resident. Master Wu, the mic is yours…
Slow down! This ol’ clown
wants to throw down against my home town?
I’m so proud of Ninjago – wow!
Oh now I’m stoked about this whole bout.
This pest feels he’s the best build
of that incestuous guild of sets built
to coalesce. Let’s get real.
Where he rests, a single edifice appears.
Yet I impress and bring effectively an entire parish here.
A prevalence of residences and elements of zestfulness
all erected on a pedestal representing his own measurements.
The Modular line stress-tested and bested by the Ninjago design.
At best accept this or else regretfully confess your prejudice.
It’s sad when his cabin doesn’t even have grills to spin crabs in.
And if the raw bar’s where you happen to be snackin’,
a revolver for fresh catches is noticeably absent.
Can you imagine?
The set supposed to be a winning restaurant
undressed and exposed by the ninja mech savants.
This lil’ petit four ain’t where it’s happening.
No emporium for wears with mannequins,
no store to tear into raw salmon and shrimp,
no ground floor to cherish your past and kin,
no cyborg sweeping the lair immaculate,
no ninja force prepared to be attacked again.
Take the hors d’oeurves and eclairs back to the Seine –
I’ll send you home just like There and Back Again.
Poor Albert.
This guy’s bunk wants for ambience of cyberpunk.
I despise this junk that longs for comic shops and cries for fun.
Why’s this bum braggin’ ‘bout the fillings in his pastries when
I’m the one with bills spilling from an ATM?
Someone sell me on his olive green paint.
Someone tell me if y’all have seen a plainer stain.
This bloke’s chrome’s so blah
that his customers are chokin’ on their coq au vin.
Not to boast a lot
but my color palette evokes Cezanne.
Is the diner from Paris
the finest that there is?
The best-in-show of LEGO?
Heck no! It’s Ninjago –
the actual best, it’s astounding.
It’s manifest destiny
that the Destiny’s Bounty
shall vanquish the rest of these
sets – no recounting!
Y’all think I dread the cod house with a seagull?
That I’ll shrink from the jet endowed with the Eagle?
All these sets y’all espouse as my equal –
Recall, please, who gets the three-thousand-piece sequel.
S’il plait vous, Albert Chez is through.
I’m gourmet, he’s the sous.
This café must pay me my due
and remember my name – Sensei Wu.
Cast your vote!
Having read the above, which of these two sets do you think should go through to the finals for a chance to be crowned "best set of the millennium" ?
Voting for this bout will remain open until midday BST Friday and I will announce the result shortly after.
105 likes
98 comments on this article
I voted for Ninjago City it is my favourite set off all time. It has a amazing design and features, it shows what Lego can do when the budget for a set is high.
Ninjago City - the best set ever produced by Lego.
@Koolbrix "Do something good with your vote by supporting this one-of-a-kind model!"
Done: Ninjago City!
Toughest match of all! I think the Parisian Restaurant deserves the win for all it has done to the modular series, being one of the most detailed and original ones, while also being a more affordable. And the fact that it stayed available for years highlights its importance as well. Ninjago City is fantastic, but I think that's where the Ninjago elements actually become a detriment to the set.
I was going to vote for the restaurant, but Master (of Ceremony) Wu blew that away!
Also, the rap was nice, but Chez Albert means At Albert's, not a guy named Chez... So those last few lines really made this lose some steam...
"Mr_Hobbles and JaytheNinja19 have advocated brilliantly for Ninjago City in the first 2 rounds. They hit the nail on the head – the set perfectly captures the beautiful yet chaotic vision of Ninjago and the bustling environment of the city."
Thanks man, that's nice of you to say. And well done as well. That rap was on point!
Team Ninjago all the way!
So hard. This should have been the finale!
Who won? Who's next? You decide!
I couldn't help but read this entire thing with that voice in my head. Nice one, @northgeorgiamasonry ! While I do think that the Restaurant is lovely and perfectly built, it just doesn't punch me in the face with the blast of creativity that Ninjago City is. And it's far from "without a great reason for its existence" - the movie was bad, ok, but who cares if you get a whole line of excellent sets from it :D
Edit: One more thing: I'm not a Ninjago fan. Never seen the series. Didn't like the movie. The whole theme seems very... random to me at times. Over the years I've bought a couple of sets because their were just really cool. As it's the case with 70620. You don't need to be a fan of the story or the line to appreciate Ninjago City.
Vive la Parisian Restaurant
This could’ve easily been the final. It’s tough. The restaurant was my first modular as I was coming out of my dark years and I was able to spend lots of time with my daughter building the city. Both are so detailed, well put together and offer great playability...at least the other match up is an easy one for me.
Ninjago City! The modulars are great, but Ninjago City is next-level awesomeness.
Parisian Restaurant is just wonderful and a clear winner for me.
As great and wonderful the Ninjago City set looks it lacks the charm of the Parisian Restaurant imo.
The PR is a very popular set being on shelves for 5 years and being the most owned set by Brickset members, something that the Ninjago City hasn't achieved being on shelves for 2 and bit years and over 3x less owning it on Brickset.
The top 30 most owned sets in a Bricklist I compiled for this Brick Bouts competition. The Saturn V and Parisian Restaurant are both one this list: https://brickset.com/sets/list-35959
@northgeorgiamasonry That rap is awesome by the way. It just gets better and better as it goes on.
i own and love PR, but NC is just epic (and one i missed out on, unfortunately). gotta go with NC
Ninjago City would not even exist if it had not been for the modular buildings, so this is easy;
Parisian Restaurant!!
I was going to vote for Parisian Restaurant, but the rap one me over.
The first vote I had to struggle over... Parisian restaurant is great, but my vote has to go to ninjago city for the ambition of the design and playability that doesn't comprise the display aspects.
Funny to think that these are both built on 32x32 baseplates.
This was a tough choice. I don't own either, but I appreciate them both, and I would be pleased with either taking the crown for the best set of the millennium.
That being said, after some deliberation, I decided that I prefer the refined elegance of the PR to the magnificent chaos of NC.
"S’il plait vous, Albert Chez is through."
Come on guys... If you do not know how to speak properly in french, just don't.
In french we say "S'il vous plait".
And i saw an other one in the comments :
"Vive le restaurant parisien" and not "viva la [...]".
ARGH !!!!! It hurts my french feelings so much !
Was going to vote for Ninjago City anyway, but Master Wu's review was icing on the cake!
Both great sets, but the rap was so cringey that I had to vote for PR. Sorry, fam!
As an owner of the Parisian Restaurant, I was ready to come here and vote for it, knowing that I'd be supporting what is probably my proudest display piece (or at least, one of the top 5). However, whilst I agree with everything that koolbrix said, northgeorgiamasonry really knocked it out of the park, heck, knocked it out of city limits! I like Ninjago City anyway, it's just too big for me to personally justify buying at this point in my life. Both sets are incredible, and it's crazy to think that for 2 sets with the same footprint, one could have twice as many pieces as the other! I honestly don't know if I can justify a vote for either set; voting for one is a disservice to the designers of the other.
I like Ninjago, and had ample opportunity to snag me a copy NC, but ended up feeling good about picking up a few LNM mechs and the Destiny’s Bounty instead. As much fun as a 5k-piece build can be, gotta vote for a classic.
@AussieSamurai said:
"Vive la Parisian Restaurant "
That’s Spanish not French. As @Aleski pointed out the French is pretty poor but it was still a nice rap.
When the PR beat Assembly Square, the idea was that it took a simple building concept and executed it perfectly at a lower cost. NC is architecturally very different from AS, but the qualities it's being praised for (size, quantity of buildings included) are the same qualities for which the AS lost.
"Just jump up, kick back, whip around, and spin,
And then we jump back, VOTE FOR NC!"
@Aleski said:
""S’il plait vous, Albert Chez is through."
Come on guys... If you do not know how to speak properly in french, just don't.
In french we say "S'il vous plait".!"
I could see a French rap using this bastardized form just to get a better flow between vous and through. :)
BTW, Ninjago City, it’s just a more accomplished LEGO version of a modular building: more colors, more variety of building techniques, floors with different meanings...
All modular building I built after NC seemed a bit flavorless. Also my mother in law last name is Albert, it doesn’t help the PR...
@Aleski said:
""S’il plait vous, Albert Chez is through."
Come on guys... If you do not know how to speak properly in french, just don't.
In french we say "S'il vous plait".
And i saw an other one in the comments :
"Vive le restaurant parisien" and not "viva la [...]".
ARGH !!!!! It hurts my french feelings so much !"
Inverting both Chez Albert and s’il vous plait in the same line was just fun word play to get the rhymes to work. Certainly not intended to offend any French speakers in real life, only the chefs in LEGO city.
Ah, this is so hard to decide - this should have been the final!
I love both sets, would be happy to see anyone of the two win. But I also believe both belong in the final :)
Personally even if Parisian Restaurant has a more personal story for me, being the second set out of my dark ages after Horizon Express on a year where France was put in the spotlight and my first modular (which is the case for many it seems), my vote would still have to go to Ninjago City. The build experience was great, with lots of little awesome details and surprises. It felt like a super modular in many regards. I do take away points for stickers (PR has none), and it is a tad less pretty to look at, but lego is about learning building techniques and having a great set and it wins in that category.
Sorry, Parisian Restaurant- Ninjago City takes my vote.
I’ve already spoken quite a bit on this, but I just want to mention one thing in defense of Ninjago City. There are many aspects to LEGO, and to be an objectively great set you should tick all the boxes. In terms of Minifigures Ninjago City is the best of the remaining sets. In terms of the build Ninjago City is probably the most engaging. In terms of display it’s very good, and in terms of play, which is very important given that LEGO was invented for children, it blows the other sets out of the water. It blends all the ingredients together excellently. Maybe one of the other sets is better in one of those departments, but none of them combine them all nearly as well as Ninjago City does.
@M_Jibril said:
"... That being said, after some deliberation, I decided that I prefer the refined elegance of the PR to the magnificent chaos of NC."
Same happened to me so my vote goes to Parisian Restaurant.
Ninjago City. It's totally crammed full of story, brilliant techniques and it looks incredible too.
Each of the three levels has something special and unique to recommend it. Each level would be a great set in its own right.
It blew me away.
Damn, this is tough.
I have all four semifinalists and with this bout I think both sets are equally worthy to get through to the final. I will therefor literally throw a dice (a LEGO one at that).
The result was...
Parisian Restaurant.
Congrats
For me this was easy. PR no question. Even before the rap, which I'm afraid I barely read any of.
NC feels like the start of something they thought about making a regular line, but didn't, so it's effectively stand-alone, and honestly looks a bit odd because of that. It even looks odd beside the Ninjago Docks.
Has to be Ninjago city for me (Great rap master Wu- ignore the complaints on the French, it’s called artistic licence!) I prefer creative fantasy to replica’s xx
Good luck ????
@JayTheNinja19 said:
"I’ve already spoken quite a bit on this, but I just want to mention one thing in defense of Ninjago City. There are many aspects to LEGO, and to be an objectively great set you should tick all the boxes. In terms of Minifigures Ninjago City is the best of the remaining sets. In terms of the build Ninjago City is probably the most engaging. In terms of display it’s very good, and in terms of play, which is very important given that LEGO was invented for children, it blows the other sets out of the water. It blends all the ingredients together excellently. Maybe one of the other sets is better in one of those departments, but none of them combine them all nearly as well as Ninjago City does."
Excellent argument buddy!
You should have been the advocate for the NC!... though, the rap was very clever, and must have taken ages!
Though both are brilliant sets, they are so very different in execution and appearance... and OH SO HARD to split!
In the end, I went with NC.... though I still think the Rollercoaster and the UCS Falcon have as good claims to best set of the last 20 years (if not ever!)
Lot of great arguments here and that rhyming was fun. It's a challenge to choose, but I'm hoping for a PR vs Saturn V showdown!
@tallblocktoo :
Vader: NOOOOOOOO!
jk :)
Parisian restaurant is the most loved modular made by lego. Ninjago city is one of the most loved ninjago sets. I still prefer the movie destinies bounty over NC. PR it has to be here.
I'm not even a ninjago fan, but I considered buying this set, that's how good it is.
Even if NC was a day one vip pre-purchase for me, had to go for PR, since that ignited the modulars we see today and made NC possible. Had we got something other than the rather sorry Docks out of NC, might have flipped. Still two great sets that look at most days.
NC vs ODF!!!!
Ninjago City is a little bit more alive but the Paris building looks so realistic. I can't decide...
Ninjago City is likely the best set ever made, whereas Parisian Restaurant is like the third best modular building. I've always felt it was a little bit too short compared to sets like Grand Emporium and Green Grocer, and while you can argue that the scale of the minifigs to the building is actually more realistic in PR relative to GG, the bigger structures just feel better.
@CopperTablet said:
"Ninjago City is likely the best set ever made, whereas Parisian Restaurant is like the third best modular building. I've always felt it was a little bit too short compared to sets like Grand Emporium and Green Grocer, and while you can argue that the scale of the minifigs to the building is actually more realistic in PR relative to GG, the bigger structures just feel better."
I wouldn’t say that Ninjago City the best set ever made, but it is near the top for me!
Wow - Sensei Wu spitting some rhymes was the best thing to wake up to today. Well done!!
I had to go with the restaurant just because of that terrible song
@Minifig290 said:
"Parisian Restaurant is just wonderful and a clear winner for me.
As great and wonderful the Ninjago City set looks it lacks the charm of the Parisian Restaurant imo.
The PR is a very popular set being on shelves for 5 years and being the most owned set by Brickset members, something that the Ninjago City hasn't achieved being on shelves for 2 and bit years and over 3x less owning it on Brickset.
The top 30 most owned sets in a Bricklist I compiled for this Brick Bouts competition. The Saturn V and Parisian Restaurant are both one this list: https://brickset.com/sets/list-35959 "
It's great that you put this together but this can't be your response on every thread? By your assessment, the most owned should be the one to vote for?! But the list is populated by battle packs, so if ownership translates to best set, why are there no battle packs in the best set lists. I think that the only thing your assessment shows is that the best sets are not always the most owned. People can appreciate a good/amazing set without owning it!
kudos on the ninjago writeup, but had to go with Paris.
@Aleski said:
""S’il plait vous, Albert Chez is through."
Come on guys... If you do not know how to speak properly in french, just don't.
In french we say "S'il vous plait".
And i saw an other one in the comments :
"Vive le restaurant parisien" and not "viva la [...]".
ARGH !!!!! It hurts my french feelings so much !"
Ironic since in English we say another one! Come on! Be tolerant of others speaking the language! You should be encouraging everyone to try and speak the language not having the attitude of, if you can't speak it properly then don't! It's the attitude that I face all of the time (I live in the French region of Switzerland). Then people complain that English people don't speak other languages.
The poem was clearly tongue-in-cheek.
No matter how colorful and lively the NinjaGo City, Parisian Restaurant is just too beautiful...
Drop the mic! What a great rap!
@Brick_Master said:
"The first vote I had to struggle over... Parisian restaurant is great, but my vote has to go to ninjago city for the ambition of the design and playability that doesn't comprise the display aspects. "
Really? I feel like the cluttered, chaotic look of NC severely compromises the displayability for me. But I have also been on the losing side of like, every vote so far, so who knows, maybe I'm just out of touch.
Parisian Restaurant all the way: it's so elegant and full of wonderful details. Admittedly, there are also lots of details in NC, but it's far from elegant — I would have a lot of trouble inserting it into my city layout… Besides, I have zero interest for Ninjago, I guess that's because I've never seen the animated series…
@Aleski said:
""S’il plait vous, Albert Chez is through."
Come on guys... If you do not know how to speak properly in french, just don't.
In french we say "S'il vous plait".
And i saw an other one in the comments :
"Vive le restaurant parisien" and not "viva la [...]".
ARGH !!!!! It hurts my french feelings so much !"
This is undoubtedly the frenchest post I've read in a while :-)
Abusing a language to fit your rhymes in a rap is like using illegal building techniques; your have so many more possibilities to create cool art, but purists will dislike it is they catch you....
As for the incorrect comment; can't argue with that ;-)
PR takes this easily, although this could be a close match or even a surprise NC win. Not saying PR is the best modular, but modular is the arguably the best theme among brickset community based on the most owned/wanted list. Modular are the best sets overall (looks, design, techniques, playability, price, etc). Since PR is the only representative of modular now, have to pick it. CC and GG are the best sets imo.
I was going to vote for Ninjago City anyways, but Koolbrix only critique of Ninjago City (that it is chaotic) is very intentional design so it really doesn't work
I'm really hoping PR wins this bout but I have a feeling this will be another close one like Hogwarts and the Roller Coaster. I honestly believe that whichever set wins this bout will win the whole thing. These sets are just too good.
Ninjago City rules my LEGO displays. It always gets the most attention from passersby,and it was a long and satisfying build. 1
@Msanders
Fair point, Myself I'm quite bias on sets that I own and I know many are but I agree there are some stellar sets you can appreciate without owning, like with the other bout the Old Fishing Store vs Saturn V I wasn't lucky to get either and I think the Old Fishing Store is stunning, so is the Saturn V.
I've created the Bricklist in part to see how the most owned sets by Brickset members will do and also to show other what they are for those curious. I think Battle Packs are fairly meh most of the time but great army builders and that's why there are alot of them on that list.
@Minifig290 said:
"Parisian Restaurant is just wonderful and a clear winner for me.
As great and wonderful the Ninjago City set looks it lacks the charm of the Parisian Restaurant imo.
The PR is a very popular set being on shelves for 5 years and being the most owned set by Brickset members, something that the Ninjago City hasn't achieved being on shelves for 2 and bit years and over 3x less owning it on Brickset.
The top 30 most owned sets in a Bricklist I compiled for this Brick Bouts competition. The Saturn V and Parisian Restaurant are both one this list: https://brickset.com/sets/list-35959"
That`s easy. Every of those 30 sets is cheaper. The most expensive Slave I of $199. I can`t speculate how "Wants" statistics correlate, but choosing between 2 sets of the same, let`s name cumulative wish parameter - "awesomeness" will lead buying of the cheaper one.
@JaketheSnake12 said:
"I was going to vote for Ninjago City anyways, but Koolbrix only critique of Ninjago City (that it is chaotic) is very intentional design so it really doesn't work"
I know it was intentionally designed that way; its very unique style is just something that not everyone will fall in love with. I think it's kind of like Welcome to Apocalypseburg in the sense of being somewhat divisive - either you really like it, or you don't. I'm happy for the fans who have a great time building and enjoying NINJAGO City, but at the end of the day, it's just totally not for me! :)
I have PR, it’s a lovely build and looks great but in silo of the 2 sets I think NC epitomises Lego’s philosophies more, more play value, interesting everywhere you look and so much colour and awesome.
I didn’t have the funds at the time, and it goes for silly money now. But NC gets my vote.
Now that's a very tough choice indeed, love both of them.
Going through set images and old reviews it struck me that Ninjago City was actually not reviewed by Brickset? Isn't that odd, a rather recent very spectacular set that many seem to regard as the best ever? Any particular reason why it wasn't?
Damn who knew Wu could spit bars like that?
@Huw I think it would be a grand idea for the staff to give a re-review of the eventual winner of the competition. As many of us don't own these sets, getting a chance to see the building process in detail would give me, for one, a greater appreciation of the set. After all, if it's been decided the best set of the millennium, it would be interesting to see a third-party staff member share their thoughts!
What does everyone else think? Would this be a good idea?
Awesome rap, poetic licenses included! A lovely artistic effort bound to draw a lot of votes for Ninjago City, and bearing the same amount of disorderly and original creativity as the set itself: congratulations!
But I'll vote for PR, the quintessence of modulars.
@denn said:
"i own and love PR, but NC is just epic (and one i missed out on, unfortunately). gotta go with NC"
Took the words right out of my mouth. Even thinking of selling PR to get NC used with no figures.
I own both of these sets, both are great sets. My PR is built & on display, my NC is still in the box. Even though I do like NC, I was not inspired to build it yet. NC looks more like something that a group of kids building together created. Each one built a store section & then they decided to put them together to make one big build. Creative yes, but typical of how LEGO is generally used. The PR is so elegant that it has a wow factor that it is made of LEGO. PR crossed over from just looking like a kids toy as in NC, to really a grown up version of LEGO, now appealing to adults too. For which I am truly thankful for, my wallet, not so much.
Can we have a separate contest for best set advocacy? I can't in good conscience vote for the Ninjago over the Parisian, but wow. Word, Master Wu. Word.
When it comes to dining the wife and I prefer a relaxed informal atmosphere, so whilst the quality of the food at the Parisian Restaurant is high (to match the prices) the atmosphere is bit too stuffy for my liking (and every time we go there is this guy proposing to his girlfriend which is a little strange) On the other hand , as long as we are prepared to accept the dangers inherent in any visit to Ninjago City, there are a range of fun affordable eateries - whether its a nice crab meal, sushi on the roof on a balmy evening or a visit to the traditional teahouse - and then theres the final option, if we are tired after visiting the comic store or buying a hat or two we can always buy some fresh seafood down by the water and just take it home to cook. So on balance we voting Ninjago city, thoughI have to say Chez Albert is great for that special occasion ( but only if they have sorted out their rat problem.)
I love both sets .... but Ninjago city has far more details and play functions.
I have to vote for Ninjago City.
This was a tough one but due to a rap Ninjago has my vote.
Love both, but Parisian Restaurant does more with less ... so ...
There is a whole lot going on in Ninjago City. I wish I could go back and get it even though I am not a Ninjago fan. I do have the Parisian Restaurant but I still voted for Ninjago.
@PapaWalt said:
"Ninjago City is a little bit more alive but the Paris building looks so realistic. I can't decide..."
^ ^ ^ ^ THIS. SO MUCH THIS.
I'm maybe *sliiiiiightly* leaning towards the city because it's just... such a rich, fantastic environment. It feels so bustling and ALIVE; and while I know the busyness was part of why I voted against Assembly Square, I dunno... in this set it seems to work better, and come off as more appealingly fanciful, whereas AS calls to mind more the dreary, rainy town streets you so often get here in England... not such an appealing association! Plus, Ninjago City does so much, with such relatively little space...
But on the other hand? The detail, the sense of warm, welcoming *believability* that the Parisian carries? The superb parts use? Are all REALLY hard to say no to.
I think I've made my decision, ultimately. But it's not an easy choice at all!
@ScaraMcDuck said:
"Love both, but Parisian Restaurant does more with less ... so ..."
Yeah probably but I love Ninjago so... it was a hard decision. Although in the end, I chose the amazing Ninjago City. I have to agree, the Parisian is sooo cool as well.
@AJ_Walls_34 said:
"This was a tough one but due to a rap Ninjago has my vote."
Haha. I agree that Ninjago City is cool, but I wouldn’t vote because of a rap. All of these are hard decisions but they weren’t going to be easy!
I wouldn't be mad if Ninjago city wins, but I'm still hoping and voting for Parisian Restaurant.
Here we go ....... Parisian restaurant vs one of a kind epic diorama
If Ninjago City doesn't win this competition I'm outta here with faith in tatters
I voted Parisian Restaurant. I really love the looks of this set. I have it but haven't built it yet. Other than the fact that the Ninjago theme gets some really interesting new molds and lots of accessory pieces in most sets the theme in general doesn't appeal to me at all. If I had ever bought a Ninjago set this would have been the one but plenty of other sets were more interesting to me.
Impossible choice. All 4 semi finalists are winners
Ninjago City is great, but I’m with the restaurant on this one. Just a beautiful set!
Parisian restaurant is the pinnacle of the modular buildings.
A rap, really? Props I guess for being creative but it had the opposite intended affect on me. It’s impossible to deny how magnificent Ninjago City is, but it just doesn’t match the charm and nostalgia of the Parisian Restaurant.
I love both of these sets. I own both of these sets. I am a modular fan, not a Ninjago fan. And yet, I have to give it to Ninjago city. The colors, the build, the details, the figures, it's all there.
Also, LOVED the Master Wu rap!
Ninjago City is more detailed, bigger and has better minifigs and value
Of these two, I only own Parisian Restaurant...but I voted for Ninjago City. The city is a creative set with a lot of interesting construction and play value. It also connects to the harbor and that's pretty cool. The Parisian Restaurant is a fine set, but it really has nothing special about it that stands out to me. I know people here love it, but I never have. (I don't hate it...but it's just middle-of-the-road modular to me.) I voted against it because I think it's overrated.
Picked Ninjago City here.
Parisian is very nice, but it's a modular of many, still is the best single-building for sure yes.
But I see Ninjago City's design as even more unique.
Ninjago also is an in-house theme nearly reaching it's 10th consecutive year and is still going.
(doesn't take away that Modulars existing 13 years now, and defined a building/MOC scale, I still see it different from a theme that had a show, movie, magazines and it's legacy line)
"one-of-a-kind"… That's exactly the reason, why I voted for Ninjago City. Yes, the Parisian Restaurant has created an entire new concept of buildings – but just because of this, it has lost a lot of it's glory to all it's successors, out of which one or another even may be better on some aspects.
Ninjago City however is a set, which is totally unique in it's world (except the docks…): Not featuring on the main story, but on the background-setting for all of this.
Both are great sets.
I went with Parisian Restaurant, though oddly I didn't vote for it in any previous round. We have 3 32x32 buildings in the semifinals and I believe that the Restaurant is the best of the three and set a standard for modulars and buildings.
It's a fun build, especially at the time of its release with the great interior. It's also fun to play with.
Good match-up, but I personally love the style of the Ninjago movie sets (not the regular Ninjago series though) and Ninjago City will always be the set that makes me sad I was too poor of a college student to afford it. Maybe one day I'll win the lottery and finally get one off Bricklink! :D
Also have both of these.
Ninjago City any day.
None of my favorites or the ones I expected made it to the semifinals. I'm going with the Parisian Restaurant here. I'm a little biased since I own it and I don't own Ninjago City, but I do think it's the better set. At the same time it's not my favorite modular, I'd rank a few others above it. But since it's the only one left standing (and the only set I own left standing), I'm hoping it wins it all.
I voted for the Parisian Restaurant because it completely charmed me into starting to collect the modulars, and still charms me whenever I look at it. Even though I love the look of Ninjago city and would have purchased it had it been within my budget, it just doesn’t stir the same emotions in me as the PR does.