Posted on 06/03/2010 8:10:12 PM PDT by Stoat
(edit) Details of the techniques that restaurateurs use to make customers part with their senses and money have been revealed by monthly food magazine, Olive. Here are the top ten tricks and some advice from the experts who compiled the list to help avoid overspending: 1 MENU MANIPULATION: Techniques include putting items the restaurant is keen to promote in the right-hand corner where the eye is drawn or putting costly dishes next to even more expensive ones, making them appear comparatively good value. ADVICE: Don't fall for the cleverly laid- out menu. And be wary of French terms, often used to make dishes sound more exotic and justify a higher price tag (eg creme Anglaise means a light custard). 2 TARGETING WOMEN WITH THE DESSERT MENU: Waiters may gush about a dessert because they know women often respond better to recommendations. ADVICE: Look out for words like 'warm' and 'indulgent' which try and pander to female dispositions. 3 CHEF'S LEFTOVERS: Some businesses will use the specials board to charge a premium for day-old or two-day-old food. ADVICE: Avoid fish-based or creamy soups which are regular dumping grounds for scraps where flavours can be easily disguised, and fishcakes, particularly the stronger tasting Thai variety.
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(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Well, I have always hated salads, and you have just given me a very good reason not to touch one again.
Amen, bro.
Every time I take my wife out for a fancy dinner I always remind her, "Now, remember, don't order the Filet-o-Fish."
No shirt - good thinking. Can always shower off breakfast faster than washing a shirt!
Zactly!
(And I’m nekkid when I get up anyway.)
You all wanted to know that - right?!?
You know? I love salad, I had a nice tomato based one today.
But I rarely find a place, even a 4 star place that gives a darn about salad prep.
I hate when they bring you a bowl of stuff that won’t even fit in your mouth.
Well, OK, then.
Find restaurants that sell wine by the carafe or half-carafe. Right now, due to a huge ‘09 high-quality Napa Cab glut, you can come across some exceptional values. Ask to see the house wine 1.5 bottles they’re decanting.
Go in fours. Share everything. Order some good cheese-bread appetizer so that any lapse or tardiness in service isn’t noticed. Your server will love you, and if you tip them lavishly, you are now a pet and will be pampered whenever you return, and don’t forget to request your server by name when you do.
Why don’t people understand that?
I like a nice place but usually the best places are very basic.
I’m no snob.
I don’t know. You’d think it would be common sense.
Took my brother to a Texas BBQ in Houston and he ordered like some Santa Fe Chicken salad or some such.
I was shaking my head.
No poop, Dick Tracy! /s
I never understood folks that go to foreign country’s and order stuff from home.
Worst pizza I had in mylife was in tokyo
And, I should add - lettuce on anything - should be avoided. (Sandwiches, Mexican dishes, hamburgers, etc.)
Also - most restaurants put a preservative on lettuce - that is not exactally a ‘good thing’.
Unnghh....
We call the preservative “water”
My, I know you like salads - but I recommend you buy your salad fixin’s at the health food store (still not guaranteed), wash it thoroughly in lemon juice, dry it, and then prepare your own salad. I am very series here. This is a hugh problem.
I will tell you something - without mentioning the name. I worked in a wonderful resort restaurant that had chefs from Europe - (very expensive.)
I was furious - but couldn’t do a thing - except quit. Which I did.
One evening, the sewer system backed up - and we had a tour of over 200 Germans to serve. The kitchen staff was ordered not to touch anything below their waist (I almost spelled it ‘waste’), and they prepared the food for 200 people, as they sloshed around in sewage. (They would have had to shut down if the Health Dept. knew, and would have faced MAJOR fines.)
OMG!
Believe me the rest of the food chain aint pretty either
200 German salad shooters....
ROTF!!!!!
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