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Shrinking portions could be a good thing. Finally, no more enormous plates!
As to the price? We don't know what size it was - you should take a picture. But like with everything else - if customers are willing to pay, restaurants aren't going to lower their prices.
I'm noticing shrinking portions at restaurants lately....for instance...
I ordered a Sea Bass dish for $42 that came with 2 sides.
The $42 price for Sea Bass seemed in line to me (for non-coastal FLA), but the Sea Bass portion seemed small.
I'd like to see what others feel is the acceptable portion range for a Sea Bass dish, measured in ounces.
I paid $42 for halibut -- about 8 oz. no sides. It was delicious and I was satisfied with the portion size. In my area, fine dining restaurants charge additional for salads and sides. Halibut about $30/lb in the supermarket. Chilean Sea Bass is also about $30/lb.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Downsizing portions is just one of many ways to increase profits, others might just raise prices, or cut down on staff. We took our daughter to Olive Garden for her birthday Saturday, and had not been there in years. I was amazed at the size of the portions. We all took the remainder to go, the first time I haven't finished a restaurant meal that I can remember. My Chicken Parmesan took up most of the plate, and appeared to be two whole breasts. The price also surprised me, just $72 for 3 people. We eat out 1-2 times a week and I have seen prices go up but none that we go to have reduced their portion sizes. After dinner with a pint of beer I'm always full when we leave.
I cannot comment on what is an acceptable portion, but $42 for one plate of food?!?!?!
I just checked the restaurant in Pittsburgh that my daughter took her father and me to a couple of weeks ago. Chilean Sea Bass is exactly the same price there --$42. We remarked how much more it would likely be in NYC. I actually got Branzino, which I think was $53. Sides, which we all shared, were extra. Amazing view and great service, though. Portion sizes were good.
It is probably a nice restaurant like the one we went to, not a diner or chain. Not that diners and chains don't have their value in dining out, but sometimes it's nice to have a real restaurant experience. I appreciate it because I don't do it all the time. It's even nicer when your kid treats you.
To me the typical meat portion (when not just getting a big piece of meat, but as part of a dish), should be 6-8oz. It was a long time ago, but somewhere in a cookbook I saw a rule of thumb of 6oz - and indeed, if you look at many recipes that list number of portions yielded, the meat will be about 6oz per person. If it's nice meat and you want to be a little more generous, there's nothing wrong with 8oz though.
To me the typical meat portion (when not just getting a big piece of meat, but as part of a dish), should be 6-8oz. It was a long time ago, but somewhere in a cookbook I saw a rule of thumb of 6oz - and indeed, if you look at many recipes that list number of portions yielded, the meat will be about 6oz per person. If it's nice meat and you want to be a little more generous, there's nothing wrong with 8oz though.
Thanks! The server told me it was 6 ounces. Of course I didn't have a scale, but it looked real small to me. If I had a scale, I doubt it would have weighed 6 ounces. I'm not a cook, but it was the smallest portion of fish I have ever been served, & one of the most expensive, so I felt I was being ripped off.
I also ordered 2 side dish upgrades. I ate and paid for the side dishes, but sent the Sea Bass back, & told her the portion-to-price ratio was unacceptabe to me, being as nice as I could be. She was very polite, & took it away. I thought a Manager would come by our table, but none showed.
I doubt I'll ever return. It was my 3rd time there, & I ordered the same Sea Bass dish last time (~1year ago), & it looked totally different. They must have changed Chef's. My first 2 experiences there were A+, but this time C-. My dining companion's meal was fine, as were my 2 sides.
They were likely glad to see me leave, & won't miss me not returning. They have a very successful place that has been there for the entire 5 years I've been here. I won't write any bad reviews, because I may have had an isolated bad experience.
Thx for the replies. I'll need to reset my expectations, and ask for portion sizes, prior to ordering in the future...& bring a scale.
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