How much would you tip for this meal?

[IHateMyJob2004]

not really. it's his 10 yr anniversary, not some random Tuesday. That said, I don't think I can ever cough up that much for dining out.

Warren Buffett wouldn't either. And that should tell everyone something about their personal level of happiness.

 

[Aharami]

If the restaurant can not pay their employees properly they shouldn't be in business?

completely different argument. Tipping is the normal etiquette in USA. Restaurant owners and managers calculate servers' base salary by figuring in tips. Unless that practice is outlawed, servers will need tips to make a livable wage. If tips were outlawed, then it's safe to assume that cost of food/service at restaurants will go up by 15-20% across the board, all else being equal. My point was that if a person cannot afford to dine at a restaurant in a universe where tips are included in an already expensive meal, they cannot dine in a universe where tips amounts are up to the customer. Either way, the customer should expect to shell out $700*1.15 to $700*1.2 for this dinner.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Again, let's be clear, the fucking french laundry charges $310 and includes the tip:

http://cdn.thomaskeller.com/sites/default/files/media/3.4_dinner.pdf


If you're paying anything more than that (sans wine) you are getting gouged.

 

[RossMAN]

$700 + Tax + Tip WTF?

I have no idea what kind of food you are getting for that price. I just couldn't bring myself to pay that for a dinner. Ever and I don't consider myself a cheap@ss either. But that is crazy IMO.

Ditto and I'm proudly a cheap ass.

Even if it was our 10 year, we'd rather save that money for a weekend vacation.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Again, let's be clear, the fucking french laundry charges $310 and includes the tip:

http://cdn.thomaskeller.com/sites/default/files/media/3.4_dinner.pdf


If you're paying anything more than that (sans wine) you are getting gouged.

Bucket list material.

 

[ImpulsE69]

This. If you can't afford the tip, you can't afford to dine there.

It's not about affording to tip. It's about how much to tip. When using straight percentages..well, 20% can be overkill. Just because the food is expensive doesn't mean they did any more work than a $100 meal (for all you know).

The bigger issue is the expectation that 20% is standard. It isn't standard. That is for EXCEPTIONAL service.

Now that being said, I'm a hypocrite because I mostly tip over 20% for good service and rarely tip less than 15%. The point is it is my choice, not some expectation that you should be guilted into. These discussions annoy me because there seems to be an attitude that if you don't your are a horrible person.

 

[stlc8tr]

$700 + Tax + Tip WTF?

I have no idea what kind of food you are getting for that price. I just couldn't bring myself to pay that for a dinner. Ever and I don't consider myself a cheap@ss either. But that is crazy IMO.

That's typical for a Michelin three-star restaurant.

A place like the French Laundry will source from only specific vendors. Like their butter is sourced only from a three cow operation in Vermont (IIRC).

Whether or not it's worth it is up to the individual.

 

[KMFJD]

completely different argument. Tipping is the normal etiquette in USA. Restaurant owners and managers calculate servers' base salary by figuring in tips. Unless that practice is outlawed, servers will need tips to make a livable wage. If tips were outlawed, then it's safe to assume that cost of food/service at restaurants will go up by 15-20% across the board, all else being equal. My point was that if a person cannot afford to dine at a restaurant in a universe where tips are included in an already expensive meal, they cannot dine in a universe where tips amounts are up to the customer. Either way, the customer should expect to shell out $700*1.15 to $700*1.2 for this dinner.

Ok, i'd give them $20 tip

 

[Craig234]

That's typical for a Michelin three-star restaurant.

A place like the French Laundry will source from only specific vendors. Like their butter is sourced only from a three cow operation in Vermont (IIRC).

Whether or not it's worth it is up to the individual.

For those who don't know, the way the French Laundry works, you call first thing in the morning for a reservation, and if you're lucky, you get one for exactly one month from that day. That's the only way to get in. You are allowed to bring your own wine if it's one not on their menu - but there's a $150 fee per bottle. Cancel within 3 days? $100 fee.

 

[3chordcharlie]

For those who don't know, the way the French Laundry works, you call first thing in the morning for a reservation, and if you're lucky, you get one for exactly one month from that day. That's the only way to get in. You are allowed to bring your own wine if it's one not on their menu - but there's a $150 fee per bottle. Cancel within 3 days? $100 fee.

There's an opening tomorrow at 9pm if you're hungry.

 

[Humpy]

Pics of the wife would settle this for sure.

 

[Craig234]

There's an opening tomorrow at 9pm

Supposed to be a joke?

 

[Carson Dyle]

Because being polite, aware of protocol, and knowing the menu takes great skill? $70/hour worth of skill?? If that's the scale, Einstein was a mere technician.

The $/hour logic is idiotic. So, when you've had a $30 meal, do you tip $6, or do you do the hourly calculation there, too and figure out what the person "deserves" according to your imaginary pay scale?

In many restaurants that tip is split by management across the staff, from servers to food runners and busboys, to bartenders, dish washers and others. (And why a cash tip isn't always a great idea, since someone like a busboy may pocket it directly. If you know the server is allowed to keep all tips and you see that he/she gets it, then it's good.)

 

[gururu2]

My wife and I are going to a nice restaurant for our 10 year anniversary. The restaurant charges a flat rate for 10 courses + wine pairings @ $350 each....so the tab will be $700+ tax + tip. I usually tip 20%+, but wonder if that's overkill in this situation.

Thanks in advance.

For two or less people I would not tip over $40.00 regardless of the bill.

 

[ponyo]

Again, let's be clear, the fucking french laundry charges $310 and includes the tip:

http://cdn.thomaskeller.com/sites/default/files/media/3.4_dinner.pdf


If you're paying anything more than that (sans wine) you are getting gouged.

I would gladly pay $310 for that meal at French Laundry. At least you're getting your money's worth. What I have problem with are the ridiculous prices some of the hotel restaurants in South Korea and Japan charge for meals. Anything with wagyu or hanwoo and you're paying French Laundry prices just for the uncooked beef. They are silly over there.

 

[ultimatebob]

I would gladly pay $310 for that meal at French Laundry. At least you're getting your money's worth. What I have problem with are the ridiculous prices some of the hotel restaurants in South Korea and Japan charge for meals. Anything with wagyu or hanwoo and you're paying French Laundry prices just for the uncooked beef. They are silly over there.

Yeah, I had a meal almost exactly like that at Per Se. Trust me, it's worth it.

I liked Eleven Madison Park even more, but I heard that they recently raised their prizes and cut back a few courses. Their 3 1/2 hour long 17 course tasting menu was epic!

 

[x26]

My wife and I are going to a nice restaurant for our 10 year anniversary. The restaurant charges a flat rate for 10 courses + wine pairings @ $350 each....so the tab will be $700+ tax + tip. I usually tip 20%+, but wonder if that's overkill in this situation.

Thanks in advance.

Name and Location of Restaurant Please.

And if service is good 18% to 20%.

 

[videogames101]

You have to have a higher expectation for service for that price, but if expectations are met nonetheless then go with 20%

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Obviously tipping troll thread is obvious

 

[Aharami]

It's not about affording to tip. It's about how much to tip. When using straight percentages..well, 20% can be overkill. Just because the food is expensive doesn't mean they did any more work than a $100 meal (for all you know).

The bigger issue is the expectation that 20% is standard. It isn't standard. That is for EXCEPTIONAL service.

Now that being said, I'm a hypocrite because I mostly tip over 20% for good service and rarely tip less than 15%. The point is it is my choice, not some expectation that you should be guilted into. These discussions annoy me because there seems to be an attitude that if you don't your are a horrible person.

you're right. that was the intent of the OP. As usual for a thread like this, it got pulled into a tangent of tip vs. no tip. And FWIW, i think the practice of tipping should done away with and added to the price of the food.

 

[zerocool84]

completely different argument. Tipping is the normal etiquette in USA. Restaurant owners and managers calculate servers' base salary by figuring in tips. Unless that practice is outlawed, servers will need tips to make a livable wage. If tips were outlawed, then it's safe to assume that cost of food/service at restaurants will go up by 15-20% across the board, all else being equal. My point was that if a person cannot afford to dine at a restaurant in a universe where tips are included in an already expensive meal, they cannot dine in a universe where tips amounts are up to the customer. Either way, the customer should expect to shell out $700*1.15 to $700*1.2 for this dinner.

They make minimum wage here I'm California plus tips so they are making pretty damn good money for unskilled labor.

 

[stlc8tr]

For those who don't know, the way the French Laundry works, you call first thing in the morning for a reservation, and if you're lucky, you get one for exactly one month from that day. That's the only way to get in. You are allowed to bring your own wine if it's one not on their menu - but there's a $150 fee per bottle. Cancel within 3 days? $100 fee.

French Laundry is switching to a ticketing system like Alinea so no more cancellation fees when that happens (since it will be prepaid).

 

[3chordcharlie]

Supposed to be a joke?

No, there was an opening tomorrow at 9pm on their reservation list.

 

[JSt0rm]

dont go there if you cant afford the price. It should be a $140 tip. The service level is going to be beyond anything you have probably experienced.

 

[SeductivePig]

I don't understand what you mean by service level being beyond anything experienced before - all they really do is refill drinks and bring you your food, what part of that is beyond anything experienced before?