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vozveratu
Advanced Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 973
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 03:28 pm: | 
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Teleburst,
You know, looking at the Prix Fixe menu of French Laundry, I'm not sure it would be a big money maker as a server. $240.00 per person with service included winds up being, 40-50 bucks maybe? Whatcha think?
If that is the case, average meal for a table is 3-4 hours, and even more for the more elaborate meals, which are more expensive.
Lets say best case, a server can make 100 bucks off each person on the real big menu of $900 per person, heck, lets do 150 per person.
I doubt servers are allowed to wait on more than 3 tables. Let give them 4 at 4 people per table.
That's 4x4 = 16 x 150 = 2400.00. That is not bad IF everything I stated was true at best case. On top of that, Napa Valley is not a cheap place to live.
Thoughts? |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2307
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 05:01 pm: |
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I think you've forgotten wine. Especially the sort of wine that would be offered at a restaurant of that caliber.
I'm sure that they do very well. Plus, I'll bet that each table turns one time. They probably have two seatings.
Don't have time to elaborate, but I might when I get back from work tonight... |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 446
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 05:17 pm: |
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Now you want to be tipped on wine? Why don't you just charge the customer when they come thru the door. |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2308
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 11:19 pm: |
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Of course I want to be tipped on wine, and about 80% of wine drinkers do just that.
Why wouldn't I want to be tipped on wine?
BTW, at the French Laundry, that's exactly what they do - charge you when you come through the door. That's what an autograt is all about, you know. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 450
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 09:19 am: |
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Nice little con game you have going. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 451
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 09:27 am: |
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You have no involvement in the preparing, storage, purchase of this product and now you want to be compensated
for the delivery to the table. No wonder your ideas on tipping are out of wack. |
vozveratu
Advanced Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 974
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 10:48 am: |
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Not even going to get involved with your disbelief of tipping on wine. Must have been watching Oprah.
As Teleburst states, 80% of the customers tip on wine. Nuff said. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 454
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 11:00 am: |
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20% have the balls not to fall for that trap. |
vozveratu
Advanced Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 976
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 11:34 am: |
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Ha! You slay me, paid_up. Balls or not, most people realize that the service they received (if good) should be rewarded. We don't cook the food (kitchen), we don't mix the drinks (bartender) and we don't bottle the wine.
What we DO is:
Serve products which are correct; food, drinks, and wine selection.
Serve your drinks and keep filled; bar drinks, wine and water.
Ensure your table is clean during your stay.
Meet your demands of special requests; birthdays, anniversary, and allergies.
No, we're not digging ditches or building rockets, but get used to the bad service you complain about getting on becoming the norm in your life when you consistantly tip low.
Bah, only wine your probably buying comes in a box. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 456
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 11:50 am: |
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Wine comes another way? |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2314
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 04:37 pm: |
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"You have no involvement in the preparing, storage, purchase of this product and now you want to be compensated
for the delivery to the table.
Are you talking about the lobster? |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 460
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 09:36 pm: |
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The apple fridders silly. |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2320
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 06:26 am: |
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What's a "fridder"?
For that matter, what's an "apple fridder silly"? Os that like the famous British dessert, "Fruit Fool"? |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 461
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 10:42 am: |
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Wine, no tip is needed. Let see, you to the food serving counter and back to the table, walk to the wine rack and back to the table and now you want 20% for your effort. You have a good racket going there. |
vozveratu
Advanced Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 980
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 03:41 pm: |
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Paid-up, your starting to sound like a broken record.
Yeah, right; We walk to the service counter, grab whatever food we see and bring it back to your table, whether you wanted it or not.
Then we waltz over to the wine rack, grab a smoke on the way, and drop the bottle on your table. Hope you brought your wine key, and I hope you don't poor out the sediment from the bottle into your guests' glass. Wine a little tight, then I hope you can decante the wine.
Then we wait till your done, bring the check and bus the whole table at once by lifting the corners of the table cloth and woalla! Your all set to go without having to tip.
Hope you had a great time, come back soon! |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2322
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 04:38 pm: |
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"Wine, no tip is needed. Let see, you to the food serving counter and back to the table, walk to the wine rack and back to the table and now you want 20% for your effort. You have a good racket going there".
OK, tell you what. I'll rent you my wine key for $20.
In the case of a twist top, I'll only charge you $15 to open it since you can't legally open it yourself in my state and I'm not the cost of the wine tool.
If you try to bring your own box of wine in, I'm afraid that you'll have to take it back out to your car, since you aren't legally allowed to bring your own wine into the restaurant.
Sorry. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 463
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 08:05 pm: |
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vozveratu, your admission surprises me.
teleburst, why would I rent your wine key, there's no lock on my wine box. |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2324
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 07:54 am: |
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"teleburst, why would I rent your wine key, there's no lock on my wine box".
I explained that to you already.
You must think I want to charge you for drinking wine in your own home. I don't. Drink all of the wine you want for free. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 466
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 08:24 am: |
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Again please. |
vozveratu
Advanced Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 981
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 - 10:37 am: |
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vozveratu, your admission surprises me.
What admission? Please elaborate. I'm not a mind reader. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 477
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 - 01:40 pm: |
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You are so right. |
vozveratu
Advanced Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 982
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 - 03:10 pm: |
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You are so right.
And your always wrong, so what's your point? |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 478
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 - 05:54 pm: |
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vozveratu- you can't figure it out, why should I point it out to you again. |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2341
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 - 10:07 pm: |
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Paid_up said to vozveratu:
"You are so right".
A startling admission. Quit while you're ahead. |
vozveratu
Advanced Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 985
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 08:41 am: |
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vozveratu- you can't figure it out, why should I point it out to you again.
Oh, the fact that you sound like a broken record?
Or the fact I described sarcastically the way I wait tables? Guess your not as smart as I expected you to be. Too bad. |
vozveratu
Advanced Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 986
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 08:42 am: |
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Ah man, I'm a redneck again.
If the shoe fits... |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 480
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 08:46 am: |
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Think of all the happiness I have brought to you. I have brought a ray of sunshine into your dark and dismal life. |
vozveratu
Advanced Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 988
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 02:25 pm: |
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I have brought a ray of sunshine into your dark and dismal life.
BUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *Gasp* BUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Paid-up, that was probably the funniest thing you've said on the board... 8) |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 485
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 11, 2008 - 08:27 am: |
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Thank You |
realdeal
Member
Username: realdeal
Post Number: 156
Registered: 10-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 07:27 pm: |
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paid_up I will be the first to admit I don't know the first thing about fine dining or wine, but I am sure that to serve in such a place you do have to have a very extensive knowledge of how each course of the meal is served and what type of wine goes with each. I am also sure you know even less than I do.
Get tired of posting here, shop instead!!!
http://bcsmall.com
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realdeal
Member
Username: realdeal
Post Number: 157
Registered: 10-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 07:51 pm: |
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I went to their website, and teleburst is right the price of the wine ranges from $11 a glass to $9,250 for a bottle of wine. I didn't take the time to read every price as it was a huge list, but the lowest price I saw for a bottle of wine was $90. So yes paid_up I am sure they want to get paid a tip on the wine too.
Château Haut-Brion, Pessac Léognan 1961 9,250
http://www.tkrg.org/upload/fl_wine.pdf
I am also sure that to work at the French Laundry you would also need to be top shelf yourself, dress the part as well as know the menu and wine list well enough to say it in your sleep. I would be lucky if they let me have a job washing dishes!!!
Get tired of posting here, shop instead!!!
http://bcsmall.com
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teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2401
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 08:39 pm: |
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"I went to their website, and teleburst is right the price of the wine ranges from $11 a glass to $9,250 for a bottle of wine. I didn't take the time to read every price as it was a huge list, but the lowest price I saw for a bottle of wine was $90. So yes paid_up I am sure they want to get paid a tip on the wine too".
And they get it since they add a 20% autograt.
Also, you have to make a reservation 6 months to the day in advance. And if you don't get your reservation in before 10:15, you're out of luck (or at least 15 minutes from the time that they start manning the phones).
Even the French Laundry Cookbook is $60. I have it but I only paid $25 for it at a local bookstore. It fits nicely in my 300 cookbooks collection. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 534
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 01:01 pm: |
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I'm so primed my butt cheeks are pinched together just waiting to go there. My, my 300 books too. Another fact of no value. |
realdeal
Member
Username: realdeal
Post Number: 163
Registered: 10-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 08:32 am: |
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Good grief paid_up like no one wanted or needed to know that. Let's get real you don't tip at all because you never leave your computer.
Get tired of posting here, shop instead!!!
http://bcsmall.com
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realdeal
Member
Username: realdeal
Post Number: 164
Registered: 10-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 08:48 am: |
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vozveratu: Since the French Laundry has an autograt of 20%. With your example of $900 meal per person with a table of 4($3,600), then add another $2000 for wine for a total of $5,600. I am assuming that someone paying $900 for one meal, isn't going to go cheap on the wine.
They would receive a tip of $1,120 and with 3 tables that would be $3,360 and even if they had to tip out half of that, it would still be $1,680. Say they only work 4 nights a week, they would before taxes make $8,400. If they had to pay half of that in taxes they would still bring home $4,200 a week.
Worse case would be $240 per meal x 4 people and 2 $90 bottles of wine, that would still be a $228 tip or after 50% tip out $114 x 3 tables= $342x4 nights a week=$1,388 a week.
Maybe average the two examples to get around $4,884 a week before taxes, or after 50% tax taken out $2,442.
In any case I am sure they make enough to live nicely anywhere else in the US. I would be willing to bet that some customers tip on top of the 20% autograt.
This is also a very nice example of how an autograt system does in fact work.
Get tired of posting here, shop instead!!!
http://bcsmall.com
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teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2436
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 11:20 am: |
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The problem with your figures is that I doubt that a single server or a server/backwaiter works a table there. I'm guessing that they have a captain/team service system there. So, you're probably going to split that $3,360 gross between 3-4 people (with the captain getting the biggest share), plus tipout the bar as well. Also, voz gave the example of a really good table. That would be an exceptional table. The average per person would probably be closer to more like $300 - 600 per person with wine and drinks, depending on the type of wine and drinks that they get. So the gross is going to be smaller.
But even more likely, they are paid a full salary like they do at Charlie Trotter's, one of the few other restaurants that do an autograt. I'm sure that they do quite well, but I'm sure the cost of living in the Napa area is among the highest in California, a state that already has one of the highest costs of living in the US outside of Manhattan.
As to your ading on the wine cost, voz was including the cost of wine in his $900 per person example. And I'll bet that the vast majority of tables spend between $70 and $300 for wine.
Bottom line is, there is no way that they average $4000 a week. There's not a server in America that makes $200,000 a year. My best guess? They pull between $40,000 and 80,000 a year depending on their position and experience (the captain might make a little more - maybe). Autograts work for a handful of exclusive restaurants because they cater to a very small segment of the population and offer an exclusive menu that caters to a captive audience. You get a prix fixe menu where you basically accept the chef's menu and you don't choose your items ala carte as you do in most restaurants. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 557
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 09:40 am: |
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No tipping on wine. |
realdeal
Member
Username: realdeal
Post Number: 179
Registered: 10-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 04:41 pm: |
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paid_up no one expects you to tip on wine, as I am sure the only wine you are drinking is the ripple you bought down at the 7-11. However growns ups that go out to eat at real restaurant, don't have a problem tipping on wine.
teleburst: I am sure you are right, but I am also sure that they make more than the average server. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 564
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 06:00 pm: |
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Wow, they still make Ripple. Still no tipping on wine. . Why pay a 10% premium on a bottle of wine. |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2445
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 08:59 am: |
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"teleburst: I am sure you are right, but I am also sure that they make more than the average server".
Absolutely. Once you get out of an "average restaurant", you generally do. But you're also held to a much higher standard as well. |
realdeal
Member
Username: realdeal
Post Number: 181
Registered: 10-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 04:47 pm: |
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paid_up 20%,not 10%. Of course they still make ripple. They make it just for you. They are aware that you are too cheap to buy decent wine.
teleburst: Of course, people with class want to deal with people of class. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 568
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 11:37 am: |
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realdeal you and another poster have posted that the exception to the rule is 20%. The norm is closer to 10%. 10% is good for me. |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2454
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 11:41 am: |
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"realdeal you and another poster have posted that the exception to the rule is 20%. The norm is closer to 10%. 10% is good for me".
No, the "norm" is tipping on the final bill. There are some tightwads who don't, but most people do. Tip on the final amount that is. Including wine.
Tipping "10% on wine" isn't "good". There's no rational reason for it (unless you are tipping 10% for poor service, of course). It's part of the meal. Simple as that. |
vozveratu
Senior Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 1061
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 01:01 pm: |
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I'll make it simple for you paid-up. Don't tip on the wine. Don't tip on the food, drink or togo order.
How about tipping on the service? Luckily for you, the amount to tip is based on America's traditions. Let me see.... *looking up on billions of website hits and books on American etiquette*
Ahh, here it is; "Tip on the total amount of the bill." Imagine that. Wow. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 570
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 03:41 pm: |
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No, tip on pre tax amount (10%)less the cost of the wine. teleburst , no tax on wine. |
vozveratu
Senior Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 1063
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 03:55 pm: |
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No, tip on pre tax amount (10%)less the cost of the wine. teleburst , no tax on wine.
No, your tipping on wine and food. I told you not to tip on that. You tip on service. *looks down at American Traditions books, magazines, and internet material*
"15% for average to good service."
"Lower if service is below your standards."
"Higher if the standards exceeded your expectations."
Where do you see food or wine in those two quotes? I'll give you pre-tax. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 572
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 06:02 pm: |
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Wow, if it's on the internet it must be true. |
kris
New member
Username: kris
Post Number: 11
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 01:15 am: |
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I am salivating at the French Laundry's menu.
Screaming Eagle 2005 12,300
$12,300 for a bottle of wine??!! Holy cow, some people must have money just burning a hole in their pocket.
I'm in the wrong business.
(Message edited by kris on January 14, 2009) |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 577
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 07:12 am: |
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Money breeds money. |
vozveratu
Senior Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 1067
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 09:45 am: |
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We have a screaming Eagle in our restaurant. I'll be jealous if someone orders that without me being the server. Of course, we don't do an autograt on any tables unless it's Booked Party in the cellar. Then its the normal Service Charge of 20%.
Our bottle is not that expensive, either. $3900 for our bottle. Must be a different vintage.
Wow, if it's on the internet it must be true.
Nice to ignore the other two sources of material; books and magazines. Paid-up, since your an idiot into thinking that tipping 15% is not the norm in America, then shut-up. You have nothing to add, anymore. |
realdeal
Member
Username: realdeal
Post Number: 182
Registered: 10-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 12:08 pm: |
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paid_up like it or not if you went to the French Laundry and bought the $12,300 bottle of wine, there would be an auto-grat of 20% or $2,460. Must be nice to be able to spend that much money on a bottle of wine. |
vozveratu
Senior Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 1069
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 01:52 pm: |
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One restaurant I worked at incorporated the tip with the cost of the bottle, so tip was not added into the total bill.
Bottle was 600.00 for restaurant to buy from the company. Sold it on the menu for 850.00. 150.00 of that went to the tip for the server. So the customer only had to tip on the food and drinks, but not the wine. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 579
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 02:05 pm: |
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Oh my my if it's printed or spoken it must be true too. vozveratu when the telemarketers
call do you really listen to their everyword. |
kris
New member
Username: kris
Post Number: 15
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 10:59 pm: |
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"Our bottle is not that expensive, either. $3900 for our bottle."
You're right, that's not expensive. It's a bargain! |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2462
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 09:08 am: |
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According to the wine list at The French Laundry, a bottle of 2005 Screaming Eagle is $3075.
What you were looking at was a 3 liter bottle of Screaming Eagle. A normal sized bottle of Screaming Eagle is 750 ml. You do the math. It's the same as 2 magnums (each of which is 1.5 liters, or two bottles). Basically, you've just ordered 4 bottles of Screaming Eagle.
PS, let's not forget that those prices also include the 20% gratuity included.
Also, that's a *very* expensive cellar to maintain. They don't carry the "ordinary wines" that the rest of us do. They don't just "order off of the distributor's menu" - they basically have to buy these things from wine brokers and at auction. None of these wines are cheap to purchase and they look to have at least a million dollars worth of money tied up just in the cellar. There are maybe a handful of wines that you would find at 99% of the restaurants around the country. While you might find a Shafer Hillside Select (we have it periodically), you're not going to be able to get a 1993. So, I don't know if you're "in the wrong business" or not. Got a million to buy a slow moving inventory? Got the time to buy your inventory piece by piece? |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 581
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 02:05 pm: |
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Boones Farm, Ripple, Mad Dog do they have a born on date or exp. date? |
kris
New member
Username: kris
Post Number: 18
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 10:36 pm: |
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teleburst, thanks for the info. I'm just sticker shocked, that's all and it was kind of a joke. I cannot imagine ordering a 12 grand wine due to my income bracket and would have to take out a loan in order to do so. The "I'm in the wrong business" comment is a reflection on the clientele that would order said wine. |
teleburst
Senior Member
Username: teleburst
Post Number: 2465
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 09:07 am: |
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I understood. Just thought I correct the record and throw in some extra information that relates to the common complaint that asks, "Why does wine have such an insane markup"?
BTW, what most people don't know is that you'll pay a much higher markupo for cheap wine than expensive wine. A $25 bottle of wine (just about the cheapest bottle that you'll find in a restaurant these days) is marked up 3.5 - 4 times. Once the bottles hit $100 or more, it starts dropping to 3 times or less. Anything over a couple of hundred dollars is usually marked up around twice. The cheap bottles subsidize the more expensive bottles.
As a matter of fact, if you take the price of a glass of wine, that's usually close to the price of the bottle to the restaurant, especially if a restaurant pours l6 oz of wine because that's four glasses to the bottle. Of course, that bottle might have been paid for by the restaurant 6 months ago and it's been sitting in the cellar not making money, especially if a restaurant has a few hundred different bottles of wine on its list (like my current one does). |
vozveratu
Senior Member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 1071
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 01:21 pm: |
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Oh my my if it's printed or spoken it must be true too. vozveratu when the telemarketers
call do you really listen to their everyword.
15% is the norm in America. You have nothing to add, anymore. |
paid_up
Intermediate Member
Username: paid_up
Post Number: 587
Registered: 01-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 03:23 pm: |
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10% is the norm. At least it isn't the fabled 20%. LOL |