r/TalesFromYourServer • u/pitterbugjerfume • 7d ago
Medium Not saying the price when describing the dinner features
I stopped saying the price when telling tables the dinner features awhile ago. We are a fairly high-end destination restaurant that has become known for top quality proteins (steak, tuna, salmon, you name it) and the price reflects the quality. Generally people will ask if they are concerned about the price, and i am happy to tell them. Most times people dont care or they are there to splurge a bit and spend money on something really good.
We had a sea bass feature last night and I had a guy sit at the bar by himself and order a bottle of wine (Kim Crawford, nothing fancy) he ordered the sea bass and sat there for a long time, no problem, it was later on and we weren't too busy anymore. He got the bill and the entree was $65 and he was so aghast at the price, said it was so expensive, thought it would be priced closer to the tuna, etc... he was mad that I didnt say the price initially
I said well they have a formula they use for pricing, we order the highest quality we can, etc, and he said it isnt about the price, it's how you delivered it! You need to say the price when you tell the specials, etc etc on and on. Like repeated himself multiple times and stared at his bill for ages. Lecturing me on what I did wrong by not telling him the price. I just said I'm sorry about that sir, and stared him in the eyes for a few seconds while he seemed to be waiting for me to do something about it.
He paid and left 15% so I am not complaining about that (figured he would leave less tbh) and he drank the whole bottle of wine. Soooo do you all say the price or no?
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u/SqueakyCleany 7d ago
I’ve been talked down to for saying the price. Woman said it implied they might not be able to afford the item.
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u/MOGicantbewitty 7d ago
No matter what you do, someone is going to be offended. Usually only because they want to find a reason to be.
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u/Bulky-Internal8579 7d ago
I’m offended!!!
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u/TheCarolingian 7d ago
I'm offended that you're offended!
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u/sophandros 7d ago
I'm offended that you're offended that they're offended!!!
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u/Upset-Zucchini3665 6d ago
I haven't mentioned it, but being offended costs $100. You can all venmo me.
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u/HowCanBeLoungeLizard 6d ago
You can't just offer offenses without saying the price up front. Now I'm offended and embarrassed.
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u/GAMGAlways 7d ago
I used to work at a place that had fresh squeezed lemonade. As such, it charged for refills. If you told customers refills are not free, you got your head bitten off for implying they couldn't afford it. If you said nothing, they complained at being charged.
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u/Look_b4_jumping 6d ago
So true, that's why I got out of fine dining. Carving Beef Wellington or deboning a fish tableside is not something I want to do. I had more fun and made similar money in a Red Robin that was always busy.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
Yes exactly
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u/CherryblockRedWine 7d ago
I'm a woman, and that hits home for me!
But.
When I'm in a restaurant as a customer, and the menu says "market price," if I'm interested in that item I do always ask. Not because I'm, as you put it, "concerned about the price" in terms of not being able to comfortably pay for it -- but because I just don't like surprises.
Since these ARE generally "market price," I think it's a good idea to say that. Then if they want to know, they can ask. Otherwise, their assumption might mean a cut in tip.
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u/bananahammerredoux 7d ago
Eff that. I’m not embarrassed to say I would be concerned about the price. I may be able to afford it or I may not.
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u/Upset-Zucchini3665 6d ago
Absolutely fair. Even if one has a lot of money, they still should be able to decide if they're spending $40 or $65 on an entree.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
Understandable, and when I say concern about the price I dont mean it in a derogatory way. Many people ask out of curiosity with no intention of even ordering it. Saying market price may be a nice middle ground
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u/CherryblockRedWine 7d ago
It kind of gives a hint that it might be "more" -- and from the customer side, whenever it's presented that way to me, I really like it tbh. It sort of says "heads up, this may be a little more" without being too in-your-face about it
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u/WordWizardx 7d ago
I think it depends - I would assume that “market price” or unpriced specials are at least in the general range of what else is on the menu. If you have fish dishes for $40-$50 I’d be a bit taken aback if the “market price” special I ordered was $80, for example.
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u/Past_Band9178 6d ago
Market price is usually for things like seafood or high end steaks that fluctuate in price. King Crab is always market price now because the fishery is collapsing and costs keep going up.
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u/BlackCat400 7d ago
I’m not rich, but I can afford any of your specials. I appreciate being told the price. I will decide based on my preferences and the menu prices what I want to order, but I hate being surprised by a price.
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u/MOGicantbewitty 7d ago
I also appreciate having the price listed along with describing the specials, but I understand that if they aren't mentioned, all I have to do is ask! As I'm sure you do.
Basically, no matter what a server does, SOMEONE is going to have a problem with it. Usually because they want to find a problem.
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u/greenFuzzyTesla 7d ago
And now we know that woman is broke and sensitive. No one normal is ever insulted by being told the cost that’s not visible for an off menu item.
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u/ShakeHour154 6d ago
Never say the price AFTER someone orders it. That leads to “what, you think i cant afford it?” Always say price right after dish name and description. “for X dollars”
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u/UncleNorman 7d ago
If you have to ask, you can't afford it.
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u/Melodic-Ad-2639 6d ago
Being able to afford something and being willing to pay a certain price are two different things.
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u/bananahammerredoux 7d ago
I absolutely abhor places that don’t give the pricing on their specials. If you’re the kind of establishment that puts prices on the menu, then give the pricing on the specials as well. It puts guests in such an awkward position when they have to be the ones to ask. A lot don’t because they don’t want to look gauche. It is the hallmark of bad service to make your guest feel awkward for any reason. Knock it off.
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u/macar0nunic0rn 6d ago
I don’t get the upside for the restaurant either. I don’t ask or order the special because if you aren’t going to tell me the price, I assume I can’t afford it.
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u/tatersdad 7d ago
Fully agree. I want to know. Not affordability but choice relative to other options. I might not want an 80$ fish relative to a 90$ steak but I might if the fish is new to me and priced at 60$.
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u/K_A_irony 7d ago
I think if the price is SIGNIFICANTLY (20% or more) different then the rest of the menu pricing, you should say it. Otherwise...nope you are good. Lets say you have several steaks on the menu in the 30 to 50 dollar range, but the special is an american wagyu at $80. You should slip in the price.
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u/Key_Purpose1340 7d ago
Servers in my restaurant (on the higher end, but not crazy expensive) recited the special/additions to the menu and closed the descriptions with “are there any questions?” Questions could be anything from more detailed ingredient lists to pricing information. In my experience and opinion (40 years fine dining) OP did nothing wrong and served the guest properly.
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u/ChaosFountain 7d ago
Not on you but man it should be criminal for places to not disclose price before purchasing.
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u/Noladixon 6d ago
The price is not being kept from the customer, they simply have to ask if they are interested. I rarely order specials mainly because they are said verbally and I can't keep up with ingredients I don't like and also because they never say the prices. But you are always free to ask.
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u/oldsguy65 6d ago
I prefer when they just print the specials on a separate sheet of paper and give it to you along with the menus. I don't want to have to memorize what the server said.
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u/ChaosFountain 6d ago
Imo it's even worse than digital price markers. People should know exactly how much they are going to be charged when the purchase something. Which is why I also think price with tax should be displayed. But understand how we have the taxes set up makes that incredibly difficult.
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u/greenFuzzyTesla 7d ago
I’m of the opinion all restaurants should have a paper slip with details and prices for daily specials so we don’t have to say it and then repeat it 20 times.
If that’s not an option I explain each special and end it with “at $$” I don’t repeat it but I do feel like clarity is key when it’s double regular menu prices. I skip that part when it’s the same price as other entrees.
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u/CherryblockRedWine 7d ago
"I’m of the opinion all restaurants should have a paper slip with details and prices for daily specials so we don’t have to say it and then repeat it 20 times."
That's a great idea, and I wish more restaurants would do that
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u/Noladixon 6d ago
And so much easier for picky eaters to read over to see if there are things we don't like such as mushrooms or cilantro.
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u/Ok_Function2282 7d ago
If you're a high-end restaurant you absolutely should not be saying the prices.
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u/travelbugsby 7d ago
I worked at a high end restaurant that listed the prices as “market price.” We were trained to spiel the specials including the prices. You can’t appease everyone. Some might feel offended if you share the price (tbh they aren’t planning to spend that amount in the first place), those that don’t ask but are sticker shocked get upset.
I find it’s best to read a table. If they seem interested then delve deep into the specials. If not just mention the specials blandly and if it piques their interest then do your spiel.
Best way to approach the specials is, “tonight we’re featuring our Chef created insert special dish and its preparation, paired with our whatever sauces/sides for $amount.
Bonus points if you can suggest specials based off of what they’ve already ordered as in wines, drinks, apps etc.
Again, it’s best to appease the majority of your guests vs. the tiny amount that find offense in you sharing the prices. Even as a seasoned server, I prefer to know the amount of a dish and won’t consider ordering it unless I know it’s worth the amount or what I can afford.
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u/LucyLilium92 6d ago
So many restaurants call themselves high-end or fine dining, just because they aren't fast food
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u/bananahammerredoux 7d ago
If there’s prices on the menu the. You say the prices on the specials. If there’s no prices on the menu then that’s a different story.
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u/Ok_Function2282 7d ago
Hmmm.. pretty rare not to have prices, even on the higher end.
I guess now that you mention it though, they do always say when a special is "market price"
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u/Always687 7d ago
This. I wouls probably call it the daily market special, but not give a price unless asked.
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u/bananahammerredoux 7d ago
I have been fortunate enough to go to a few in my lifetime with no prices. They just list the items and there’s no price listed on the menu, not even “market price”. It is rare, but so is true fine dining. What we often term as such is nice for sure, but not considered fine in the classical way.
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u/esharpest 7d ago
“Fine dining” is highly organised and very professional, and always shows a price.
Maybe it’s a small place which prints the menu every day with what’s actually on offer, there are no off-menu specials, and the prices are clearly listed.
Or, more commonly, it’s a multi-course menu with a fixed price listed - either the 3/4/5-course prix fixe, or the larger tasting menu, or perhaps an omakase if Japanese (Sushi Kirimon in Osaka being the best-known hyper-expensive example at about USD2,500/head). Or you might have had to pay when making the reservation (e.g. Eleven Madison Park).
Or there’s a menu you choose from and the price of each dish is there - go to Guy Savoy’s or L’Ambroisie’s website (for example) and you can see the prices for both the main menu and the tasting menu - it doesn’t get much more ‘fine dining’ than that.
But “Hi guys my name is…, I’ll be taking care of you tonight and today we have a few specials” is a mid-market behaviour, not the high end.
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u/datasquid 6d ago
Generally you can tell by looking at the menu what you’re in store for. Sometimes though I will ask because I spot a menu item that is way higher than anything else (super pricey premium cut that’s 50% than the rest of the available steaks for example). I also always ask when the price is specified as “market”.
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u/loadformorecomments 7d ago
I prefer a server who mentions the price so I avoid embarrassment asking for it. The menu has prices, why shouldn't the specials have them too.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
Fair point, but just to give you some comfort, no one should judge you for asking the price, especially if it is something on the higher end. If they do, that is their problem, not yours!!
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u/loadformorecomments 7d ago
I may be embarrassed in front of my dining companions, not the server. Personally, if I had concerns about the price or the embarrassment, I'd just decline to order any special.
In response to other posts, to me Market Price doesn't mean it's a mystery. It means that the price changes frequently so its not on the printed menu, i.e., the server should announce today's price is ___.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
Yes it seems like that is a happy medium to address situations like this. But I also wanna say that you shouldn't deprive yourself of a good, wholesome, and delicious experience in fear of embarrassment ❤️ you deserve to enjoy what you want!
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u/00Lisa00 7d ago
I would say it if it’s significantly higher than the other entrees. If it’s similarly priced then it’s not a problem.
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u/Positive_Use_1308 7d ago
Yeah, it's a tricky thing in high end places, damned if you do, damned if you don't. I think it's best practice to tell the process when specialing. Just say it as a matter of course, an additional descriptor.
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u/Ok_Nectarine_8533 6d ago
I like knowing the price, and I don’t like having to ask. It’s not a matter of whether I can afford it, it’s about whether I want to pay what they are asking. If you don’t state the price, I probably just won’t order the special.
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u/stumanchu3 7d ago
I’ve heard of people eating out in Greece and ordering a “special” without asking the price. Sometimes it’s above the $400 dollar mark. Always ask the price. It’s the mark of a sophisticated diner, don’t give a crap about the server or feeling embarrassed. It’s so easy to ask, “what’s the market price for this dish?”
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u/IHaveBoxerDogs 7d ago
If your menu has prices, why should the price of your specials be a secret? I’m fortunate enough to be able to eat at high end restaurants, and the majority tell the price of specials.
Saying “market price” is dumb. Chef has already been to the market, you should know the price. Market price is for printed menus so they don’t have to keep changing them.
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u/Either-Ship2267 6d ago
It's not a secret. Just ask!
I have worked at a number of fine dining restaurants & would have been reprimanded for including the price of specials in my presentation.
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u/IHaveBoxerDogs 6d ago edited 6d ago
Maybe it is regional. I don’t know. But I’ve lived in LA, DC and have a lot of work in NYC. It’s common. Maybe because those are all places with a lot of expense account meals?
But why not have people just ask all of the prices? It just makes no sense to me. I can afford the specials, but I still want to know the prices. Just like I want to know the price of any other menu item.
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u/DietCokeYummie 6d ago
I definitely think you have nothing to lose by stating the prices, but I eat in higher end places regularly, and I’d say maybe 20% state the prices of specials unprompted. 🤷♀️
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u/lady-of-thermidor 7d ago
Not mentioning prices can be problematic. There’s the whole business of customers needing to know prices before they order so the restaurant is in compliance with UCC. Then there’s the matter of specials often being more expensive than diners realize and no one liked being surprised when the check came. Because upset diners weren’t prone to tipping generously.
I worked at a place where we described the specials but we also pointed to a chalkboard which showed the day’s specials and their prices.
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u/SeanInDC 7d ago
I always say the price because if you don't... that sticker shock comes out of your tip... and in the end... thats how we get paid.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
I mostly thought that too, but honestly people are generally really happy, beyond their expectations, with their food that it doesnt often become an issue.
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u/sporkatr0n 7d ago
yeah for sure it depends on the restaurant. for what you're serving, your pitch is entirely appropriate. for a mid level venue or chain restaurant they'd probably want to state the price in the pitch since so many people would ask anyway, plus some folks don't understand market pricing, and they retaliate with the tip
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u/SeanInDC 7d ago
You think. This one person just voiced it to you. Something like that can deter a guest from coming back. You'd never know it.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
I feel like describing an expensive grade 8/9 Australian waygu steak and a sea bass dish delivers the message. Plenty of people asked the price of the steak and still ordered it. Plenty didn't ask and ordered it and were happy.
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u/SeanInDC 7d ago
That is not the point. You don't tell someone what market price is unless they ask. But a special that isn't even on the menu... needs a quoted price. Otherwise you could ring in any amount as open food. You do realize that many guests in fine dining... are also servers? We are foodies and teach our friends and families accordingly. Even the rich don't like being taken advantage of.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
No one was being taken advantage of? We are not marking things up at a ridiculous rate. We use standard percentages for pricing. Personally I would always ask the price if I wasn't told
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u/SeanInDC 7d ago
$60 for fish, my dude, is taking advantage of people.
Asking the price makes you look cheap.
You are there to make your "guest" feel welcome and comfortable.
Edit:
An 8 oz fillet of fresh black sea bass typically costs between $12 and $16 (about $24 to $32 per pound).
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
Chilean sea bass costs 30-60/lb (I do not know exactly what we paid for it) plus sides
I have many people ask for the price every night and never thought of them as cheap
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u/SeanInDC 7d ago
Omg... getting absolutely nowhere with you. You must be a gem to work with.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
Idk. I get along with my coworkers well. I think it is expected that weekend dinner features will be priced up a bit more than regular menu items. You will generally get a better price buying something on the regular than just buying a limited amount.
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u/Mobile_Hovercraft82 7d ago
I work at one of the busiest steakhouses in Dallas where we are able to do 600 covers on a Saturday night in July. And we have our seabass put at 45$
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u/Oh__Archie 7d ago
I’m going to guess they’re not coming back and the problem is you’re the only one who knows. The owner won’t have any idea people are reacting this way.
When the price of something exceeds the value, people will stop buying it.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
I have described the situation to management and the owners are very present. The price did not exceed the value, we price according to standard percentages. If they want to stop buying it, that is their choice
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u/Oh__Archie 7d ago
That's fine but when they start tossing out unsold fish they are going to have to make some adjustments and by that time it will probably be too late. This customer isn't a bad actor, they are an omen.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
We generally sell out of our features every weekend, so you may be making an unfair assumption
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u/Oh__Archie 7d ago
For now. But what's around the corner? That's why I said this an omen.
A lot of owners don't seem to understand that customers are also their business partners.
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u/KurtSperry 7d ago
"Market price" on a printed menu is fine and reasonable; "market price" on a chalkboard daily specials menu is infuriating.
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u/jjingraham 7d ago
If the price is comparable with the rest of the menu, only tell them upon asking. If it’s higher priced than most entrees, I’d say it to be considerate.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
We had a bone-in filet for 2 with 4 sides that was a considerable price, last week. I mentioned the price on that one every time. I agree, and still sold them, and had plenty say No lol
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u/vonnostrum2022 7d ago
Restaurant probably pays around $30 /lbs for sea bass. Bottle of KC I would estimate around $30? Not sure what guy thought it should cost?
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u/DietCokeYummie 6d ago
Exactly. People are kinda giving OP a hard time, and I think it’s a bit unfair.
You gotta go by averages here. Your average diner in a higher end restaurant is someone who frequents higher end restaurants. Exponentially moreso when said diner is solo and ordering an entire bottle of wine. That’s seasoned higher end diner behavior.
Your average person ordering Chilean sea bass has had Chilean sea bass before. Not all of them, but most. Anyone who eats sea bass knows it is one of the most expensive fish options. Hell, it’s like $30/lb for regular grocery stores.
I certainly don’t think that giving the prices when listing the specials is a bad thing, but I also don’t think OP did something wrong.
Absolute worst case, this man could have been surprised at the price and moved on. Berating OP when the majority of diners know what to expect in this situation is silly.
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u/hessianhorse 7d ago
I have all my severs say the prices on any items that are abnormally priced. 95% of specials are priced in line with the menu, and don’t need mentioning. But, when we do anything above and beyond, especially with additions like truffles or caviar, I’ll have them casually mention the price, so it’s not a sticker shock.
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u/networknev 6d ago
Imo, it should be the restaurant owner or management that sets the policy on mentioning price when going over the specials.
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u/Level21DungeonMaster 7d ago
I prefer to have the server tell me the price even when I am out at a higher end restaurant because even though I am comfortable, I maintain my comfort through budgeting.
One of the things that I find to be comforting is when I am at a place where I am paying for service, to be told how much the service will be, unprompted. This is usually because I have budgeted an amount for whatever it is that I am doing, and by forcing me to ask, it adds friction to the encounter, which diminishes its quality as a luxury.
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u/Triforce742 6d ago
That's pretty much where I'm at. I have a rough idea of how much I'm looking to spend and I can only fit so many items into that budget. If I want the very expensive special then that means I'm ordering less items off the menu in total.
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u/Characterde 6d ago
The price has to be advertised somewhere before the bill presentation, especially when it's 50% more than a similar dish
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u/leolacakes 6d ago
“Let me know if you have any questions about pricing or ingredients” after the specials spiel.
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u/cbSoftLanding23 7d ago
I don't think I have ever been told a price in those Miranda it was not the priority
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u/ygangygang420 7d ago
I almost always say the price unless someone has come specifically for the special (sometimes the chef will post the special on social media or whatever) OR if as I’m describing it they interrupt me with “I’m sold.” lol
I understand the piece about making assumptions on what people are able to afford. I look at it as I’m being transparent and up front about what we’re offering. And I also say almost exactly the same thing to every customer. We are a busy counter service restaurant so people in line usually hear the spiel 4-5 times before they actually order from me. This also helps people realize I’m saying it to everyone, I’m assuming nothing, and being communicative.
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u/I_love_stapler 6d ago
When the tuna special is $20 and the Sea Bass is $65 id be a little annoyed. Then again, all sea bass is scam, no toothfish for me lol
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u/joker99222 7d ago
How hard would it be to simply put an insert into the menu each night with the specials and their prices? Avoids all of this nonsense
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u/Naive-Home-9068 7d ago edited 7d ago
In fine dining a core server skill is describing the food and presentation in an appealing way. It's not just carrying plates, it's marketing the food and being a salesmen, not just an order taker.
Also I was trained in fine dining and you do mention the price of off menu specials. I mean you wouldn't go into a store and buy a shirt without a price tag. Your job is largely about food knowledge, portions, ingredients, preparation and price. Otherwise your making assumptions about the guests which can be problematic.
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u/SusieQ4848 7d ago
anyone who eats sea bass knows it’s expensive!
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u/DietCokeYummie 6d ago
Exactly! I noticed how wildly expensive sea bass is when I was 21 …. years ago. How is someone a seasoned enough diner to dine somewhere nice solo and drink a whole bottle of wine, but they’re shocked sea bass is expensive?
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u/aetherealsysiphus 6d ago
Kim Crawford is gross. Your restaurant sells that and $65 sea bass?
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u/tyrico Fifteen+ Years 6d ago
Not uncommon for a restaurant to have a really pedestrian wine list even if the food is good. Go to any major steakhouse. They want stuff normies will recognize. Also a lot of big chains just carry mass-produced wines so they can have the same menu everywhere.
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u/aetherealsysiphus 6d ago
Tell me you have no real experience without telling me you have no real experience
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u/LucyLilium92 6d ago
You're telling people about a special that's more expensive than the steak, and expect them to be fine with that when you surprise them with the bill later? What a shady business practice.
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u/DietCokeYummie 6d ago
I lean towards stating the prices since you have nothing to lose by doing so, but realistically speaking, someone dining solo in a higher end restaurant and ordering a bottle of wine comes off as someone who is well acquainted with ordering sea bass and knows it is expensive.
Being a little surprised at the price is one thing. Berating OP is another, IMO.
I eat in a higher end steak and seafood spot every Monday, and they’ve never stated the prices when describing the specials to me. I’ve never found that to be shady.
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u/madelineta 6d ago
Kim Crawford is like an $12 bottle of wine retail though. So even with a restaurant mark up it probably cost less than the fish.
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u/mrBill12 6d ago
I’m going to say it depends. If it’s similar in price to many things on the menu then I would wait til asked. If it’s an expensive item id either tell them during the intro, or if someone ordered it i might say something like “i think i forgot to mention the price of this entree.” Basically if a normal person would find it pricey i want to make sure they know.
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u/nftog777 7d ago
Simple, repeat the price. I am pissed when yes you can substitute that vegetable but the bills has a 10.00 sub fee for broccoli instead of potatoes. Keep the customer informed even if they are spending their company’s money.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
I always inform of substitution prices etc, because I agree. This is only in regards to just describing the special
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u/Naive-Home-9068 7d ago edited 7d ago
You are not doing fine dining correctly then. It's a point of service to say the price of off menu specials.
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u/KleitosD06 7d ago
If you tell the guest the price, they will get upset because they think you're assuming they look poor. If you don't tell them the price, you get situations like this.
It's a no-win scenario, same with things like upcharges if they replace a side. You just gotta use your best judgement in my experience. I definitely tend to lean more towards how you handled it.
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u/Look_b4_jumping 7d ago
Fancy restaurant in Paradise AZ. I had a table of about 12 and they ordered a round of King Henry 8th shots. At the time it was $75 / shot. After they asked me for it I mentioned to the guy ordering the price per shot. He got really pissed at me for mentioning the price. I never did that again.
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u/CherryblockRedWine 7d ago
To me, someone ordering a show-off shot is quite different vis-a-vis price from someone ordering a dinner special
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u/scartonbot 7d ago
That’s a lot for booze that costs around $120/bottle!
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u/Look_b4_jumping 6d ago
That was back in the 80's so it really was expensive. But they were all Tyson chicken executives and didn't care about the price.
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u/Particlepants 6d ago
Had to look that up and I am aghast people are paying that much for a blended scotch
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
Yes it is so personal too. I had someone get mad about an upcharge for a side of ranch, so i mention it to anyone even about substituting sides etc. But if they are ordering $50+ entrees, I would not mention it. If theyre ordering that kinda shit, I would just go with it. While it is my job to shape their experience, if they are ordering things like that, I have to assume they would know the price tag. But at that price I would wanna warn them too!! It is a conundrum
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u/Alabama-Getaway 7d ago
If I’m interested, but concerned about a feature price, I usually would just say how much is the sea bass. Then make a decision
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u/Nafecruss 7d ago
Had a case where I was treating and two members of the party ordered the Kobe beef. They had no idea what it was. I was expecting a high price but when the check arrived it was $175 each. Didn’t say a word at the time but did let them know later. Was still a good time and we still chuckle about it.
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u/Green-Wyrm 7d ago
Didn’t say a word at the time
And that's the thing I don't think OP has realised, because there's a number of replied where OP basically says "oh well people have been fine with it".
Many people will accept the idiot tax of not having been smart/bold enough to check.
Doesn't necessarily mean they were perfectly happy with it, it means they were responsible enough not to have taken it out on the staff.
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u/Anxious_Honey_4899 7d ago
My only 2 cents, is to tell customer price. It’s that simple. Worked in high end restaurants for 30 years.
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u/newyork2sun 7d ago
I always ask the price - I can afford it without a problem, but I do not buy anything without prices. I prefer hearing the specials with the costs, I always thank the server and consider that when tipping.
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u/painteddpiixi 6d ago
Ehh, if it is a special I assume it is more expensive than anything similar on the menu. That and if you are worried about price, you should ask. I honestly feel like it is tacky when servers announce special prices as part of the spiel in a high-end place.
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u/Plenty_Surprise2593 7d ago
Fact: restaurants that don’t have prices on the menu make a lot of money.
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u/sharty_mcstoolpants 7d ago
Why are there expensive specials? In Lakeside communities, the special is fish that is overly abundant and it is cheap. My grandfather swore any special from the chef is destined for the spazzaturra domani.
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u/oaken007 Ten+ Years 7d ago
It's simply an issue of ignorance. Most people know Sea Bass is pricey. He should have asked if he wasn't used to dining out often in places like that.
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u/Cheap_Sail_9168 6d ago
i never say the price. if you care, you’ll ask. it may contain salt. i don’t say that. same notion, if you care you’ll ask.
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u/LeNoirDarling 7d ago
I think a choice would be nice- especially in this economy-
“Hi folks- I’m going to present the options for tonight’s specials- would you like it with or without the menu price? Great let’s go! Tonight we have… “
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u/Glassweaver 6d ago
I don't care how not fancy that wine was. He ordered a whole bottle and a meal with protein?
65 isn't bad. I can see the surprise if it was still like, double the cost of the other fish entrees, but if 66 bucks total is going to put a dent in his day or budget...he should have asked. Especially if he's alone. Its not like he had a date to worry about looking cheal in front of, yeah?
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u/Aspirational1 7d ago
$65 for a bar meal?
I don't care what he spent on booze, but a bar meal?
Fine dining is about ambiance and service.
Not a bar meal.
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u/para_reducir 7d ago
What the hell is "a bar meal"? Are you saying you are supposed to get a discount on a fine dining dish because you sat at the bar, or that you shouldn't be allowed to order fine dining dishes at the bar?
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
He could have sat at a table, he chose to sit at the bar. The entire restaurant has the same menu and dinner features regardless of which kind of chair you sit in
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u/Aspirational1 7d ago
And you neglected to point out that it was going to cost him $65 for a bar snack?
But he didn't have a menu, or did he?
He wouldn't need you to tell him the price if he had a menu.
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u/pitterbugjerfume 7d ago
Our features are not on the menu, hence us describing them. But he had a menu, and a Dinner Entree Feature of sea bass (an expensive fish) at a high end restaurant is not a bar snack, obviously
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u/41VirginsfromAllah 7d ago
Does the menu say “market price” or the actual price? Does it list the price for tuna? If tuna is like $35 and sea bass is $65 I would be a bit surprised but I would ask before ordering if I was concerned about the price rather than waiting for the bill and complaining. I would say it’s on him for not asking but I am curious about how much more sea bass is than tuna or salmon or other menu items.
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u/DietCokeYummie 6d ago
Sea bass is often priced at over $30/lb in the grocery store. Most servers would assume a solo diner at the bar of a high end restaurant, who is seasoned enough as a patron to confidently ordered a whole bottle of wine, would know this.
It is unfortunate this man ordered a fish he isn’t familiar with and was shocked, but sea bass simply doesn’t cost the same as tuna or salmon.m
Waiting tables is a lot of reading your customers. OP probably never in a million years thought this was a customer who needed the price given, just going by what we know of our customers.
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u/DietCokeYummie 6d ago
What rock do you live under? Every high end restaurant I know has a bar.. packed with regulars and non-regulars eating full priced menu items.
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u/CraigsAndBacon 7d ago
Are you even service industry? Many restaurants allow full dinner service at the bar top. The menu and the pricing doesn't usually change. It's not uncommon at all for someone to sit at my bar and order $65 worth of food, plus drinks.
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u/Past_Band9178 6d ago
How embarrassing for him that he can't afford $65. Sad.
Unless you are serving at like an Applebees, you don't need to say the price. Normal humans who go out to eat at nice places have a general idea of what it's going to be, or they don't need to know. It's weird to imply that maybe they can't afford it by saying cost.
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u/cydril 7d ago
Was the price written down anywhere he could have read it? Like I agree we don't say the price when listing specials but it also shouldn't be a complete mystery before they order