A very "special" pasta dish ... for $275 !! :(

[Chzanne]

Originally Posted by younglisa7

That's insane. That's more expensive than the other menu items. I think if the price is in line with other menu items then no the waiter/waitress doesn't need to disclose the price. If the menu is too expensive you should't be there

Agreed, I have never heard of a special that is 4 times the amount of the most expensive dish on the menu. I have no idea what I would do if I were in that situation.

As a waitress, I usually do not say the price when I talk about the specials. However, the specials are always about average with the other entree items. If a customer asks, I gladly tell them the price. Now, if the owner of my restaurant was trying to get me to sell this special when it was way off par with the other menu items, I would definitely warn customers of the price! I think I get better tips by being an good honest waitress, than trying to upsell everything

[hueyeats]

Unless prepared by "Iron Chefs" themselves / world reknown chefs...
I would never pay that much for it.

For $275 ++, try Morimoto chef's special in the back of the restaurantin Philli (NYC too? Ate there once, don't remember the price as I wasn't the one paying).... occasionally you can get Morimoto himself to prep you the meal & what an experience I must say.

[smokingGun]

this kind of wide-eyed moaning & groaning by the NYT is a farce. That restaurant is Nello's on the Upper East Side!!! Anyone who's even thought of dining there knows you can't leave without a 3 figure tab. It's the infamous boite where that Russian billionaire dropped nearly $50 grand on one freakin LUNCH for 6 ppl!

oh btw I would definitely consult with a criminal attorney before skipping out on your tab. I don't know about NY, but many states have "defrauding an innkeeper" statutes where a non-paying patron can actually be arrested & charged with a felony (or misdemeanor).

[Chzanne]

[quote=smokingGun;22705467]this kind of wide-eyed moaning & groaning by the NYT is a farce. That restaurant is Nello's on the Upper East Side!!! Anyone who's even thought of dining there knows you can't leave without a 3 figure tab. It's the infamous boite where that Russian billionaire dropped nearly $50 grand on one freakin LUNCH for 6 ppl![quote]

Paying 3 figures for the tab is not what is causing wide eyes. It is 3 figures for 1 entree that is. I fully understand that there are restaurants that are high quality that only millionaires+ can afford. But at this particular restaurant being discussed the average entree listed on the menu is in the $30-40 dollar range. There is ONE menu item that is $60, and that is the most expensive on the menu. Based on the menu prices, this is a restaurant within an average higher-middle class budget. A $275 special is way off course for what the restaurant normally offers. That price should be disclosed.