The price of food

[CharleyH]

When I dine out, I DINE OUT. I can't even see spending for appetizers, entree, dessert, something under $150 for two, not including wine. The dinner is impeccable, usually. Someone said to me: That is a waste of money. I do not think so. A regular dinner with wine costs $125. MacDonalds is 15 and a roadhouse is 50.

Who are you as a diner?

I don't think I am insane for spending more than $150 on dinner, nor giving a really good waitress a 20%., which I will do at breakfast as well. What is YOUR dinner out rate, and tip rate. I really do not think I am insane.

 

[ElizabethWest]

No Charley, you aren't insane. I would spend that much if there was a place around here that was that good. But this is a dry county so no wine in public. A couple can eat for around $50 at a decent place. I tip at least 15% and usually more if the service deserves it. I think I've tipped as high as 30% before when I felt the server really made a worthy effort.

 

[elsol]

Usually about 40 dollars a person, and 20% unless the service is tragic.

sincerely,
elsol

 

[NoJo]

When I dine out, I DINE OUT. I can't even see spending for appetizers, entree, dessert, something under $150 for two, not including wine. The dinner is impeccable, usually. Someone said to me: That is a waste of money. I do not think so. A regular dinner with wine costs $125. MacDonalds is 15 and a roadhouse is 50.

Who are you as a diner?

I don't think I am insane for spending more than $150 on dinner, nor giving a really good waitress a 20%., which I will do at breakfast as well. What is YOUR dinner out rate, and tip rate. I really do not think I am insane.

I spend about £15 ($30) a head. I like cheap food, and as long as the waiters aren't rude, I'm not bothered much by the quality of the service. But no, Charley, you're not insane. My brother is like you; he likes "the works" when he eats out, and he likes good food, whatever the cost. He took me to a very nice, very expensive place in New York; the meal for two came to $200. But he also took us to a very nice, cheap Cuban soulfood place, where the total for both of us was $25.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

You are insane.

As an architect, I get asked for 50% discounts, not given 20% tips. And there is no way in hell I would spend one tenth of what I earn in a month on a meal, no matter how good the food or the service are.

The most I ever paid on a dinner was about 60 euros, and I (and all my friends) felt robbed and never set foot in that place again. The food wasn't worth more than 15, which means the owner of the restaurant was taking a tip of 300% whether we wanted to give it or not.

 

[carsonshepherd]

My BF and I went to breakfast this morning for less than $15, at a place that's been featured in Southern Living magazine. I love cheap eats!

 

[mlady_france]

I don't think you're insane, but I don't limit my dinning out experence to just the upper crust either. If I did I'd only eat out about twice a year.

As for tips, I've worked in food service too long to leave bad tips. Even a bad waitress will get a good 10-15%. A great waitress moves up to the 20% range. but never much more than that.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

PS: After converting your 200$ CAN to euros, that's about the 60 I paid that one time, so not as unthinkable as was my first impression. If the food had been excellent and the service impeccable (which was not the case then), I admit I could be talked into it from time to time. So, you're not insane. Just slightly unbalanced.

 

[ElizabethWest]

PS: After converting your 200$ CAN to euros, that's about the 60 I paid that one time, so not as unthinkable as was my first impression. If the food had been excellent and the service impeccable (which was not the case then), I admit I could be talked into it from time to time. So, you're not insane. Just slightly unbalanced.

Unbalanced like a clumsy waitress in four-inch heels with a full tray?

 

[kendo1]

When I dine out, it's usually chinese or indian. I doubt I could eat $200 worth.
Or $100 with a friend!

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Unbalanced like a clumsy waitress in four-inch heels with a full tray?

Like a clumsy waitress in four-inch heels with a full tray who will be tipped 20% of a 300% overpriced meal

 

[ElizabethWest]

Like a clumsy waitress in four-inch heels with a full tray who will be tipped 20% of a 300% overpriced meal

Tipped or tripped?

 

[CharleyH]

No Charley, you aren't insane. I would spend that much if there was a place around here that was that good. But this is a dry county so no wine in public. A couple can eat for around $50 at a decent place. I tip at least 15% and usually more if the service deserves it. I think I've tipped as high as 30% before when I felt the server really made a worthy effort.

I am being ... mediocre in my spending habits on dinner. I really don't mind spending on a good meal, and have been to places where the name draws a price, but I enjoy food, and of course I know how to make what I can make and order what I know is close or cheaper than market price. Still, for excellent CARPACCIO, I would die for and pay. I will not pay 40 for a filet, but will for tornaudos. I Know what to order.

GIRLS, pasta and chicken are a rip off! Order the lobster. If he says anything retort that it is a better order, statistically. Pasta can cost $1.28 to make, without shrimp or chicken. Are you going to pay $12.99 for it? Crab on market is 12.99 a pound. If they sell it for $24.99 take it.

As for servers. A good one will have a tray, and write your order down and not get it wrong because there is a map in her hand. Some owners HATE servers writing, which is bad for them because it means lower tip for forgets, and those are the idiots who pay out to the kitchen. Anyhow, I could go on. Just wanted, I dont mind paying for food, even if it is 300 or more. But I induge.

 

[NoJo]

I guess this is the wrong thread to discuss stealing tips from nearby tables....

 

[oggbashan]

Christmas Dinner

My Pensioners' group has just booked its Christmas Dinner 2005.

The meal will have soup or appetiser, choice of 5 main courses, choice of desserts and finish with coffee. The cost will be £20.00 (say $40) per head including gratuity. Wine would be extra about £3.50 ($7.00) per head.

Some of us are grumbling. It was £18.00 last year.

We go out for pub lunches several times a month. The cost varies between £6.00 and £12.00 per head. Our pub lunch sub-committee visits every location beforehand for a trial meal. That is one sub-committee we do not have trouble filling.

I would not enjoy a meal that cost £50.00 ($100.00) a head for the food. I have been to places that cost that and some much more but I do not consider that the value of the meal is worth that sort of cost.

Og

PS. I can be as uncomfortable in a hotel room at £300.00 a night as in one at £30.00 a night.

 

[ElizabethWest]

But I induge.

Indulgence is good.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I'll start indulging when a client gives me a 20% tip. Or even a 5% tip. Hell, I'll start indulging when a client pays what's set on the official chart.

 

[LadyJeanne]

I very much enjoy fine dining and don't mind paying the price. I do that often enough as part of my job, so the only time that type of dining is especially satisfying is if I'm out with a really good friend or on a date with someone I particularly enjoy. And I especially hate fine dining in a noisy restaurant - totally ruins the experience for me.

I also enjoy casual dining if the food is good. And when I get lucky with a cheap but fantastic meal, like at Thai and Indian places, then I really feel I've won.

Usually, I tip around 20%, unless I have to keep flagging down the waiter for something like water or coffee.

 

[kendo1]

With that sort of money, I'd rather cook myself. (I'm pretty good in the kitchen too!) I can also get a decent bottle of wine for £10.
Last night I cooked 4 fillet steaks for the wife and kids and had a good bottle of Burgundy, and a few glasses of Yalumba Museum Release dessert wine with strawberries and raspberries for dessert. Didn't break the bank either.

 

[ElizabethWest]

... I'd rather cook myself...

When I first read that I pictured Kendo in the oven or a large frying pan.

But don't mind me, I'm drubnk.

 

[CharleyH]

THANK YOU, JOE! I may not, in freelance make a lot, or sometimes too much, but a good meal is a good meal, and going further, and I always pay those bills, but the excess? One life That is what we have.

 

[kendo1]

When I first read that I pictured Kendo in the oven or a large frying pan.

But don't mind me, I'm drubnk.

Thanks!

 

[oggbashan]

...I can also get a decent bottle of wine for £10.
.

I'm closer to France than to London. I can get a drinkable bottle of French wine for 7 euros and good wine for 10 euros (about £6.00 or $12.00). I bought a 3 litre wine box of French red table wine on offer in my local supermarket at £9.95. It is better than some wine served as Vin du Maison in restaurants. Hic...

Og

 

[kendo1]

I'm closer to France than to London. I can get a drinkable bottle of French wine for 7 euros and good wine for 10 euros (about £6.00 or $12.00). I bought a 3 litre wine box of French red table wine on offer in my local supermarket at £9.95. It is better than some wine served as Vin du Maison in restaurants. Hic...

Og

The house wine in British restaurants typically costs £2 a bottle to buy in.
I buy at trade prices, so the wine I drink normally sells for £10 to £20.
Unfortunately, you get used to it!

 

[LadyJeanne]

With that sort of money, I'd rather cook myself. (I'm pretty good in the kitchen too!) I can also get a decent bottle of wine for £10.
Last night I cooked 4 fillet steaks for the wife and kids and had a good bottle of Burgundy, and a few glasses of Yalumba Museum Release dessert wine with strawberries and raspberries for dessert. Didn't break the bank either.

I'm not much of a cook, so can't even come close to whipping out the masterpieces I've been served in really good restaurants, especially when it comes to seafood. I also love the creative appetizers and desserts. Add shopping, prep time, and clean-up, and to me, it's well worth the price for a great dining experience.

The wine, though...I find wine prices in restaurants to be ridiculous. They mark-those up far too much. Doesn't stop me from ordering them, though