Should a restaurant charge as much as $18.00 for a lunch entre that consists of only a small portion of trout?

Question

Recently I was out for lunch with some friends. I eat out on a regular basis in a range of restaurants...from high priced to small neighbourhood pubs and am used to paying good money for equal value. This recent incident however, was appalling in that the lunch entree was a piece of fish...trout...about the size of a playing card. Nothing else came with the meal. No vegetables, side dish or salad. The small piece of fish was set on a huge platter sized white plate, further emphasizing the sparesness of the dish. Because I was with friends, one of whom had recommended the place, I didn't want to create a stir, however in the future, I think I would ask the waiter to return the entree to the kitchen and I would leave telling them that at that price, I would expect value for my money.....This was a case of more style than substance. What would you do and have you had a similar experience.?

I would like to add that all too often, trendy restaurants are allowed to get away with this practice because, we, the consumers do not complain. It is not the cost of the meal, it is, rather, the value. I could have paid $100. for a luncheon and received good value for the money, however, this was not the case here. With this "artfully" arranged molecule of fish garnished with a tiny sprig of rosemary, I feel that this chef is nothing more than a frustrated florist and the restaurant owner nothing more than a thief. My fault, however, I should have complained.

Thank you everyone for allowing me to vent a bit over this one. I appreciate all of your input. For those of you who remind me that it is a case of buyer beware, you are absolutely correct. For those of you who say that restaurants can charge anything the market will bear, that too is correct. This restaurant that I recently visited is snobbish, counts on the public wanting to be seen in the "in places" and is likely assured that usually, civilized people will be reluctant to create a "fuss" as I was. I say....enough of Emperor's New Clothesism...we need to speak up in joints like this....by the way, the entree description was so flamboyant that it appeared you were getting more than you actually received....and also, the dishes ordered by the others in the party were equally sparse and equally costly....But, in the future it certainly will be "Buyer Beware" and I shall speak up should it happen again.

Answer 1

Wrong joint.

Answer 2

I would have sent it back if I was unhappy regardless of who recommended it because it is my money and also since my friends did not cook it, then it should not hurt their feelings in any way.

I usually don't have that problem, though. My friends make fun of me because I always find out exactly what I am getting before I order-- which veggies, side dishes, etc. I don't eat red meat or chicken but occasionally eat seafood. My friend wanted to go get steak and lobster so I called the restaurant ahead of time to see if there was a lobster entree without the steak and was told yes. I also asked what came with the lobster. When we got to the restaurant, I ordered my lobster meal and when the waitress walked away, my friend was shocked that I had not asked any questions. He could not stop laughing when I told him that I had called that afternoon and asked about everything.

Next time, politely send it back and tell them that it was not what you had expected. Maybe it will help them, too, to realize that customers are not totally satisfied. If everyone goes away without saying anything then the restaurant does not have a chance to improve. Constructive criticism.

Answer 3

Politely go over to the waiter or the place where you pay for the meal and Say is this all I was supposed to receive on my plate for this entree because I really do not feel it was worth the price I am being asked to pay. If they say yes that is all you get say thank you, ask for the owners address and write him a very nice but very blunt letter that his place is a rip off, you were very unsatisfied and you will not return. Business owners do not like bad reps. But unfortunately they are not always present when the people who are supposed to be running the place in his absence get power hungry. These Employees do what they want in the owners absence. Unless you alert to the owner what is going on he will never know and his business will continue to die. If you do alert the owner and he says oh well thats what it is. He is a jerk and will be out of business soon anyway so don't worry about it.

Answer 4

Did you know what the entree was going to cost prior to ordering? All of the best restaurants I have been to always tell me the cost of their specials. When a place advertises drinks or entrees without telling the cost at the same time, I am always hesitant to order them. Nothing like getting an eight dollar charge for a crappy Margarita. Eighteen bucks is certainly a hefty charge. I respect your decision to not make a scene, and I have never complained at a restaurant, but I think a letter to them would be in order.

Answer 5

Jo, that was probably because it was the world famous and rare "fools trout" it is served only in the finest establishments where the customers are willing to pay out of their noses for nothing but the best the kitchen can provide. Did you get to try the "fillet of Angus beef" which consists of 6 ozs of hamburger with a small onion garnish for only $12.95? Or the real special of the house "lettuce salad" which is really one slice of head lettuce with a garnish of romaine for $14.95 of course dressing is extra. Yes, Jo restaurants really do exist whose sole purpose is to screw the customer by portraying an ambiance of snobbery and of course you get someone who believes that it is good and tells another than you have a success. Next time for lunch go to Jack in the Box at least you get what you pay for.

Answer 6

In the US it is not uncommon to get 2 pounds of food in a single restaurant meal and that may be one of the biggest factors in weight gain. BUT, is getting that huge portion of food a real "value for the money" when it leads to health problems?

We are used to huge portions at restaurants so being served an actual "portion" of anything seems strange. I would hope that you could appreciate the quality of the dish. $18.00 is steep for a fish dish in my opinion so I probably would not eat there again either.

Answer 7

I suppose this sort of situation always depends on a lot of variables. More often than not, these days, you pay for ambiance. You could also be paying for trout imported from somewhere obscure, though. It really depends on the situation.

As for paying for 'style,' it depends on how much, and what you get for it. I find I would normally pay a bit more to go to a nice place than somewhere with equally delicious food, but mud on the floors. This is particularly true when taking a loved one out.

Regardless $18.00 sounds a bit steep to me. I can get trout in the UK for that price. =oP

Answer 8

I certainly wouldn't go back there. I agree with you though that I would would have reacted the same way in your case, I would have kept it cool with friends but I would have asked for a side dish of veggies... I usually ask what the dish itself comes with..if they would have said NOTHING I would have not ordered it. You could write a note to the manager if you feel that strongly about it.

Answer 9

Depends how rare trout is in your place & how specalized the place is, always check prices & what comes with it when ordering, after all the waiter is there to assist you when you order, theres no sense complaining afterwards, Bon apetite the next time you eat

Answer 10

Sad to say but, a lot of the price is in the trendiness of the restaurant, not in the value of the food.

Answer 11

I have lived all up and down the East Coast. I am fully aware of that of which you speak.., all too well!
One of the worst offenders , to me ,was in the boondocks of S.W. Virginia.., Roanoke to be precise.
Pretty nice place.., for there..,but exorbitant prices for mediocre food.., Frankie Roland's.., The Rednecks get all dressed up and feel it is the place to be seen.., if only they had a clue to the real world!!!