Comments on: Restaurant Meals – Pay at your Discretion? http://www.hoyummy.com/2009/02/05/restaurant-meals-pay-at-your-discretion/ where your palate comes for inspiration Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:07:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Quick Notes 20080226 | I'm Only Here for the Food! http://www.hoyummy.com/2009/02/05/restaurant-meals-pay-at-your-discretion/comment-page-1/#comment-6308 Quick Notes 20080226 | I'm Only Here for the Food! Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:40:20 +0000 http://www.hoyummy.com/2009/02/05/restaurant-meals-pay-at-your-discretion/#comment-6308 [...] other news, earlier this month, Gigi of Ho Yummy wrote a post about a restaurant in the UK where you can pay the meal at your own discretion. It seems that [...] [...] other news, earlier this month, Gigi of Ho Yummy wrote a post about a restaurant in the UK where you can pay the meal at your own discretion. It seems that [...]

]]> By: gigi http://www.hoyummy.com/2009/02/05/restaurant-meals-pay-at-your-discretion/comment-page-1/#comment-5962 gigi Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:58:39 +0000 http://www.hoyummy.com/2009/02/05/restaurant-meals-pay-at-your-discretion/#comment-5962 Hi KimHo - I think I'm along the same lines as you here. Generally the amount of tips I pay is dependent on the service I get so that would have some bearing on how much I pay at a restaurant that implements such a policy. As for the overall price of the meal itself, I too, would be inclined to pay as close to what the list price normally is as well...it's that fairness in all of us that would win out for the most part, I suspect. :) Hi KimHo – I think I’m along the same lines as you here. Generally the amount of tips I pay is dependent on the service I get so that would have some bearing on how much I pay at a restaurant that implements such a policy.

As for the overall price of the meal itself, I too, would be inclined to pay as close to what the list price normally is as well…it’s that fairness in all of us that would win out for the most part, I suspect. :)

]]> By: KimHo http://www.hoyummy.com/2009/02/05/restaurant-meals-pay-at-your-discretion/comment-page-1/#comment-5882 KimHo Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:49:10 +0000 http://www.hoyummy.com/2009/02/05/restaurant-meals-pay-at-your-discretion/#comment-5882 From what I was able to gather, this restaurant (website here: http://www.littlebay.co.uk/london.html) would be on the same lines as a Moxie's or Milestones. If that is the case, I don't think this concept will fly. The problem is due to the service. No, I am not implying the service in these places are necessarily bad. Rather, since the tips make a great portion of the fronthouse people's income, that uncertainty on how much they will get might, in its funny ways, might affect how they will treat the customers. As a result, the customer might not be so "generous" on how much they will be willing to fork out for the meal. If the concept of "gratuities is included already in the price you see in the menu - feel free to tip extra if you feel like" is in effect here, I think might work. Now, I won't put all this weight on the server's shoulder either. If the food is not good, I won't be willing to pay much either. Now, if it is a sports bar or a pub, this concept might easily work; after all, drinks generate far more revenue than food. But, back to the question of how much I would pay, well, that's a difficult one. Assuming it is a resturant I have been for quite some time. In that case, I ought to have an idea of the cost of most of the dishes. I think I would instinctively pay the amount listed there (even if I don't remember, I should have a gist of how much). That way, I don't feel I am shorting the restaurant nor I feel I am cheating them. In other words, I am being "fair". In the case it is a restaurant I have never been before and prices are not posted, of course, I would ask (or, at least, get an idea of the average price of the dishes) - again not to short anybody out. From what I was able to gather, this restaurant (website here: http://www.littlebay.co.uk/london.html) would be on the same lines as a Moxie’s or Milestones. If that is the case, I don’t think this concept will fly. The problem is due to the service. No, I am not implying the service in these places are necessarily bad. Rather, since the tips make a great portion of the fronthouse people’s income, that uncertainty on how much they will get might, in its funny ways, might affect how they will treat the customers. As a result, the customer might not be so “generous” on how much they will be willing to fork out for the meal. If the concept of “gratuities is included already in the price you see in the menu – feel free to tip extra if you feel like” is in effect here, I think might work.

Now, I won’t put all this weight on the server’s shoulder either. If the food is not good, I won’t be willing to pay much either.

Now, if it is a sports bar or a pub, this concept might easily work; after all, drinks generate far more revenue than food.

But, back to the question of how much I would pay, well, that’s a difficult one. Assuming it is a resturant I have been for quite some time. In that case, I ought to have an idea of the cost of most of the dishes. I think I would instinctively pay the amount listed there (even if I don’t remember, I should have a gist of how much). That way, I don’t feel I am shorting the restaurant nor I feel I am cheating them. In other words, I am being “fair”. In the case it is a restaurant I have never been before and prices are not posted, of course, I would ask (or, at least, get an idea of the average price of the dishes) – again not to short anybody out.

]]>