Newbie Restaurant.com question

[mermaidwannabe]

First timer here for restaurant.com. I just bought a $50 restaurant.com certificate to House of Blues for Downtown Disney. It says an 18% gratuity will be added prior to discount. So does that mean I can include that 18% before the $100 minimum is met?
And if nothing else is said, does that mean alcohol can be used toward the $100 minimum? I really hope so because I don't know how I would get to the $100 with my DH and I and 3DDs. That would be a lot of food!! I guess I could always add on something to take home if I didn't meet the min, but I would love if the gratuity and drinkies could be included.

Thanks!!!

 

[ssawka]

Not sure about the alcohol, as it is normally not include, however the tip is not considered as part of the minimum. It simply means that the automatic tip will be assesed on your entire bill, before any discount.

 

[mkstlowe]

From what I have learned anything that does not apply would be on the certificate. There are some that say alcohol not included. I would go back to the site and open up the details and read it through.

 

[mermaidwannabe]

It's not on the certificate, so it must not be included. I assume tax is included since the tip is added on top of that.

THanks!!!

 

[pixiewings71]

I've heard that yes you can buy alcohol, and I've heard that no, you can't. I really don't know, I've never used on there. But, if you add on dessert and/or an appetizer I'm sure you can make the $100 minimum with a party of 5. The gratuity and sales taxes are added after the discount is taken, the gratuity does not count towards the $100 minimum.

 

[jpatro21]

I've used Restaurant.com a couple of times. Each restaurant is different. You could always call the HOB before you go to see if there are any exclusions. The 18% gratuity doesn't work towards your minimum. That is the restaurant's way of making sure the servers are taken care of because alot of people tip based on the final bill amount instead of the bill total before any coupons, discounts or gift certificates. I used to be a waiter and hated when I would work my butt off for a $100 check and they have a gift certificate for $50 and they would only leave a tip based on the remaining amount. Hope this helps.

 

[jms920]

DH and I used a Restaurants.com certificate at HOB in Dec 2010. (got a $25 cert for $2. had to spend $35.) I asked up front and was told yes, alcohol is included. For the 2 of us we had no problem reaching the $35 minimum for our certificate, with the alcohol included. The gratuity was automatically added to the bill so be sure to notice that prior to leaving a tip on the table. Our server was great and we enjoyed the food and drinks there. Couldn't beat the deal

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Thank you! That makes sense. If for some reason we don't make it to the $100, I'll just order an appetizer pizza to go and put it in our refrigerator at the Candy Cane Inn to heat up later since my DDs seem to eat ten times a day lol.

Glad to hear someone used it at HOB just last December and that alcohol can be included. I know my DH will want a beer with his ribs.

OH, do you all let them know beforehand that you have the certificate?? I suppose I should tell them upfront in case some of their restrictions change although if it's not on the certificate then they probably can't. Also, do you think I should make reservations at HOB? We will probably go around 5ish, so I didn't think it would be necessary since that's pretty early, but it IS Downtown Disney, so maybe there aren't any slow times.