Can 2 share a steak for 1 at Peter Luger's?
Aug 16th, 1999, 04:59 AM
#21
Guest
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Since when is it disrespectful or discourteous to ASK whether sharing is allowed? It's a common practice in some countries to offer smaller portions as a matter of course but rarely the practice here. Most "better" restaurants that allow sharing or splitting have a "plating" charge that compensates them for the fact that you are spending less. Dining out is meant (for most of us) to be a pleasant and memorable experience. An accomodating attitude on the part of the restaurant is something I value. The plating charge generates revenue and boosts the tip for the server. Wouldn't most restarauteurs prefer that to having someone go where the portions are more realistically sized? I was raised as the child of Depression era parents and to this day don't feel comfortable wasting food - why not get smaller portions in the first place? Let's hear it for dim sum!
Aug 16th, 1999, 06:11 AM
#22
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American restaurants are known for their very large portions, and it is common and respectable to share, or to take home a doggy bag.
I meet with clients at restaurants all the time, including at some of the country's premier steakhouses (Ruths Chris, Mannys, Mortons, Giannis, etc.). It is very respectable to share a steak between husband and wife, good friends, or any two people in your party who want the same steak, but in a smaller portion.
The etiquette is not focused on what the restaurant thinks - it's focused on the courteous inquiry (by the guest, never by the host) would anyone be interested in sharing the brontosaurus filet? Also at some of the best steakhouses, the portions of potatoes and vegetables are frequently half (for 2 people) or full (for 4 people). This encourages sharing.
It is also perfectly acceptable to take home a doggie bag if you do order it all and can't eat it. The story around our town is that one certain retaurant patron (whose name is the same as a very large and profitable US corporation) likes her midnight snack packed not in a doggie bag, but in tin foil shaped like a swan.
Our clients require us to be generous. Believe me, I would not be sharing or taking home doggie bags if it looked cheap. And by the way, our restaurant owners consider us to be excellent clients of theirs!
I meet with clients at restaurants all the time, including at some of the country's premier steakhouses (Ruths Chris, Mannys, Mortons, Giannis, etc.). It is very respectable to share a steak between husband and wife, good friends, or any two people in your party who want the same steak, but in a smaller portion.
The etiquette is not focused on what the restaurant thinks - it's focused on the courteous inquiry (by the guest, never by the host) would anyone be interested in sharing the brontosaurus filet? Also at some of the best steakhouses, the portions of potatoes and vegetables are frequently half (for 2 people) or full (for 4 people). This encourages sharing.
It is also perfectly acceptable to take home a doggie bag if you do order it all and can't eat it. The story around our town is that one certain retaurant patron (whose name is the same as a very large and profitable US corporation) likes her midnight snack packed not in a doggie bag, but in tin foil shaped like a swan.
Our clients require us to be generous. Believe me, I would not be sharing or taking home doggie bags if it looked cheap. And by the way, our restaurant owners consider us to be excellent clients of theirs!
Aug 17th, 1999, 03:42 PM
#24
Guest
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What started out as a simple question has raised a lot of serious and complex issues and some obnoxious and arrogant replies.
First of all, I am reminded of the old saying that "there is enough food for everyone but not everyone has enough food". Any decent person must be troubled by this.
I am not saying that people shouldn't enjoy themselves and live well but I find certain extreme excesses to be truly obscene.
When I think about how much good food is wasted every day, by restaurants, cruise ships, etc.,etc. while millions if not billions of people are starving it is vert upsetting.
First of all, I am reminded of the old saying that "there is enough food for everyone but not everyone has enough food". Any decent person must be troubled by this.
I am not saying that people shouldn't enjoy themselves and live well but I find certain extreme excesses to be truly obscene.
When I think about how much good food is wasted every day, by restaurants, cruise ships, etc.,etc. while millions if not billions of people are starving it is vert upsetting.
Aug 17th, 1999, 03:51 PM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
I am replying to jm's msge. which I have copied below.
Why are you so scared to be identified as a tourist? I understand that when walking the streets it's safer not to come across as an obvious tourist but in a restaurant?
I don't mean to insult you but it just sounds ludicrous to me not to ask for a menu for this reason!
Do you really want to go through life imprisoned by constantly worrying about conforming perfectly to the point that your afraid to even ask for a menu? I don't think that's a good way to live.
"Author: jm ([email protected])
Date: 8/15/1999, 2:28 pm ET
Message: I hear that you asking for a menu at Peter Luger will uncover your true identity as a tourist. So do we just ask for the porterhouse for 2 (for mom, dad and 13 yr old)? Dare I ask (forum folks, not, heaven forbid the waiter!) if they have chicken or pasta for our non-carnivore 11 yr. old daughter? "
Why are you so scared to be identified as a tourist? I understand that when walking the streets it's safer not to come across as an obvious tourist but in a restaurant?
I don't mean to insult you but it just sounds ludicrous to me not to ask for a menu for this reason!
Do you really want to go through life imprisoned by constantly worrying about conforming perfectly to the point that your afraid to even ask for a menu? I don't think that's a good way to live.
"Author: jm ([email protected])
Date: 8/15/1999, 2:28 pm ET
Message: I hear that you asking for a menu at Peter Luger will uncover your true identity as a tourist. So do we just ask for the porterhouse for 2 (for mom, dad and 13 yr old)? Dare I ask (forum folks, not, heaven forbid the waiter!) if they have chicken or pasta for our non-carnivore 11 yr. old daughter? "
