Fixed Price Artist Point-- Not Cheaper?

[Luvamouse]

As I am planning our dining for our Thanksgiving trip, I keep having a hard time with the concept of the Fixed Price dinner at AP. It is now $51 per person and includes Portobello Soup ($7) or Salad ($8); Scallops ($29), Beef Tenderloin ($37) or Buffalo ($38); and finally Cobbler ($8) or Coffee Two Ways ($8). The problem I am having is that when you choose the Scallop option, it is cheaper than the $51 ($8 + $29 + $8= $45) Of course the other two meat options are higher than $51 ($53 and $54). What am I missing? Why would I do that if it is cheaper to do the parts individually? It was the same with the previous menu I downloaded last month-- same items, just different prices at that time.

It does say gratuity NOT included. Does it include the tax perhaps? Even then it can't account for the difference. Anyone with more of a clue than I, I'd appreciate any help--

Thanks!

 

[bicker]

Table d'hôte is a French phrase which literally means "host's table". It is used in restaurant terminology to indicate a menu where multi-course meals with limited choices are charged at a fixed price. Such a menu may also be called prix fixe ("fixed price"). Because the menu is set, the cutlery on the table may also already be set for all of the courses, with the first course cutlery on the outside, working in towards the plate as the courses progress.

So in a nutshell, in fine restaurants like Artist Point, the purpose of the Fixed Price dinner is for the diner to put themselves into the hands of the chef, with regard to what they'll have for dinner, trusting the chef, as an artist, to craft not just artistic culinary creations for each course, but also for the artistic crafting of the "menu" itself (menu, meaning, in this case, the set of items in the fixed price menu). It is contrasted with the diner selecting their own appetizer, entree, etc.

What Artist Point does is sort of a hybrid -- giving the customer some choices, but still the chef focusing the diner on the dishes the chef considers the specialties of the house.

Note that in no way is prix fixe to be confused with "discount". There is and never way any intention for prix fixe menus to be an economizing measure.

 

[Luvamouse]

Thank you Bicker, I hadn't thought of it that way. The only 'prix fixe' meals I have ever had were unique to the season/night, not one where you can select as is here. Good heads up for me. If I want the scallops, I suppose I can order it all on my own . Then again, if DH wants the buffalo, perhaps it is a good way to save a buck or two.

 

[Flossbolna]

So in a nutshell, in fine restaurants like Artist Point, the purpose of the Fixed Price dinner is for the diner to put themselves into the hands of the chef, with regard to what they'll have for dinner, trusting the chef, as an artist, to craft not just artistic culinary creations for each course, but also for the artistic crafting of the "menu" itself (menu, meaning, in this case, the set of items in the fixed price menu). It is contrasted with the diner selecting their own appetizer, entree, etc.

What Artist Point does is sort of a hybrid -- giving the customer some choices, but still the chef focusing the diner on the dishes the chef considers the specialties of the house.

Note that in no way is prix fixe to be confused with "discount". There is and never way any intention for prix fixe menus to be an economizing measure.

Just as a side note: in France, where fixed price menus of exactly this type (several options for each course) are an absolute standard, I have always found that they offer a discount, sometimes even a significant discount.

I guess one should just always do the math and see what one is paying before jumping at conclusions!

 

[clhcpaca]

I dined at AP in September 2006 and 2007 and ordered the fixe price menu. At that time, you received both the portabello mushroom soup and a salad....so did get a discounted meal. I have noticed that now the menu on the Board says soup "OR" salad. I wondered if that is a typo or an actual change.

Cindy

 

[vettechick99]

How do you say prix fixe anyway?

 

[*Flower*]

I dined at AP in September 2006 and 2007 and ordered the fixe price menu. At that time, you received both the portabello mushroom soup and a salad....so did get a discounted meal. I have noticed that now the menu on the Board says soup "OR" salad. I wondered if that is a typo or an actual change.

Cindy

The soup OR salad is an actual change- in fact we were permitted to get it with both as we remembered it being offered with both. Just once- but it made it perfect, because I had the soup- DH had the salad and we split the entree and dessert. We can't do it anymore though, and the last time we went to AP, the Buffalo was off the Chef's Menu altogether (I think).

We still love AP though- it's a must do for us every third trip or so. That way we get to enjoy the seasonal menu.

 

[Pumbaa_]

It used to be a much better deal when it was $45 for the soup, salad, entree AND dessert. It is so much more expensive now. But I do love the buffalo!

 

[EpcotLove]

Not sure what the deal is with the fixed price... but we've been everywhere at WDW to dine, and Artist Point is most def in the top two most delicious food's and quiet dinner.

 

[kaytieeldr]

How do you say prix fixe anyway?

pree fiks (or pree feeks, which makes it sound less like a part of grammar )

 

[ElizabethB]

I've always considered prix fixe to include something of a discount. Even at the Chef's Table, I consider the prix fixe price to be something of a bargain since the items that require a supplement in the dining room (abalone, wagyu beer, foie gras, lobster and a bit of caviar) are included at the Chef's Table.

 

[cdtommie]

They must have raised the price...it was $47 back in May when we were there...soup or salad only (and definitely was soup and salad back in 2006)...kinda surprised they now substitute scallops for the the cedar plank salmon which they consider their signature dish.

 

[bicker]

I think they do that when the salmon aren't running.

 

[webray]

I dined at AP in September 2006 and 2007 and ordered the fixe price menu. At that time, you received both the portabello mushroom soup and a salad....so did get a discounted meal. I have noticed that now the menu on the Board says soup "OR" salad. I wondered if that is a typo or an actual change.

Cindy

It's an actual change. It is one or the other now..much to our disappointment. With this being $51 we probably won't do it anymore.

 

[bavaria]

Just as a side note: in France, where fixed price menus of exactly this type (several options for each course) are an absolute standard, I have always found that they offer a discount, sometimes even a significant discount.

Well I was going to post 'in France, where fixed price menus of exactly this type (several options for each course) are an absolute standard, I have always found that they offer a discount, sometimes even a significant discount'

HOWEVER some other German woman beat me to it.....

 

[Flossbolna]

Well I was going to post 'in France, where fixed price menus of exactly this type (several options for each course) are an absolute standard, I have always found that they offer a discount, sometimes even a significant discount'

HOWEVER some other German woman beat me to it.....

Good to know that someone can confirm my impression!

 

[BCV23]

My son and his wife dined at AP a week or so ago and the wine flight is now $28 which is more expensive/oz than ordering the same wines separately.