shaing meals at the nicer restaurants

[DawnAK]

I know there has been a lot of discussion about sharing meals at casual restaurants but I am wondering if it would be "tacky" to share an appetizer, maid course and dessert at the nice restaurants. For example: california grill, flying fish etc. We have never eaten at either of these places and would like to give them a try. Thanks for any thoughts. Dawn

 

[MHopkins2]

IMO, no, it isn't tacky at all, and is a great way to be able to sample several items. Having said that (and dodging the bullet that I'm sure is incoming), personally I would tip more than the "standard" percentage since the bill would be lower than expected for two people.

[YES, there are a zillion variables, the waiter or waitress shouldn't "expect" anything, yada yada - I'm a chronic overtipper, sorry.]

Another note is that the two restaurants you specifically mentioned don't have standard WDW-ginormous portions. You might try two apps and one entree and dessert, for example, but obviously YMMV based on your appetites.

 

[sha_lyn]

While I understand what your saying I disagree because the price of an appetizer and dessert often equals that of an entree. It really wouldn't be much of a price difference.

 

[phanomouse]

I am taking a risk by voicing this opinion but I too think it might be a tad on the tacky side esspecially at a nicer restaurant. I can understand sharing an Appetizer and maybe a dessert but an entree thats borderline tacky in my opinion well sorry if I have offended anyone, this is just how I feel.

 

[ilovefh]

I dont think its tacky at all. All the places we ate had HUGE meals, so this enabled us to sample a little more. This way we split an appetizer, meal and dessert. While it was only a little cheaper, we got to try things we wouldnt have gotten to try if we had just each ordered a meal (there would not be enough room in my tummy for my own appetizer, meal and dessert....or anything more than the meal ) I do agree with MHopkins about tipping though. You should tip a little more since the bill is a little lower and they are still waiting on 2 people.

For example....at CRT this is what we did...
Potage du Jour $4
Her Majesty's Caesar Salad $5
The Grand Duke $24
Dessert $5
Drinks $2
The total before tax was $42

We both wanted the Grand Duke, but I love the Potage du Jour, and the chocolate mousse and we only go to Disney a couple of times per year, so since we dont have it often we order it when we go. We figured we saved $10 and got to eat a variety of food, rather than us both ordering the Grand Duke and nothing else. We did however tip more than the 20% since out total was smaller than it would have been, and we had a good server. I'm also seasonal at CRT, and I have seen what the servers say about bad tippers who they work with and who wants to be known as "the bad tipper" at their work ?

Elena

 

[jel0511]

I'd have to agree with one of the previous posters, that at the "nicer" restaurants at WDW, the portions aren't as large as one might think. Usually when you go to a nicer restaurant, the portions are sized down so that the diner can enjoy all the courses and not be stuffed. For example, at my last dinner at Narcoossee's, we shared an appitizer of dumplings, now dumplings are small right, well there were only 4 on the plate. We did share them, but two wasn't enough. I ordered the lamb chops, which are really small anyway, I only got 3 or 4 of them, definately not enough to share again. Desert was key lime creme brulee, again a small portion, enough to share if each wanted a small taste, like 3 bites each, but better as an individual portion. Just remember that when you want to go in and share. If you're not bigger eaters, you're better off, either ordering two appitizers and sharing an entree or just two entrees, because I'm sure you'd be disappointed with the amount of food you'll receive.

 

[travelitis]

I see nothing tacky about splitting the meal. My in-laws do this all the time because they have tiny appetites and don't like to eat left-overs. They're also very careful about not overeating. I agree that the tip should be more. Even with smaller portions, by the time you get through an appetizer, entree, and dessert, that's a lot of food. My dh and I can't get through splitting all those at places like Chili's and Bennigan's, so the CG portions might be just right.

 

[travelitis]

And another thing... Just who is going to think it's tacky? The other patrons won't know you're splitting if the server is any good, because your meal will arrive to your table already split. That leaves the server. The server isn't paying for your meal. He/she is being paid by you to serve your meal. Who really cares what the server thinks about splitting a meal? They aren't going to gasp or shoot you a dirty look unless they want you to hold on to your tip money.

 

[ilovefh]

I was thinking the same thing

 

[pollyanna]

Presentation and plating is a very important in these 2 restaurants....I can not imagine getting an empty plate and sawing the entree in half and sliding it to the other plate,which is what you would have to do. Messy and tacky.

Sharing appetizers and dessert are another matter.

 

[ilovefh]

Most times if you tell them u r sharing they will put i on two plates for you before they bring it out

 

[DawnAK]

Thanks for all of your opinions. I value each one . I guess we will wait and see what is on the menu and play it by ear. I just wanted to make sure we had the option of splitting if we felt like it. Thanks again, Dawn

 

[disboo]

My in-laws also split entrees because of small appetites, and it's not tacky. Thye ususally ask for two salads, however,and ususlaly are not charged for both. Last spring we were at Jiko, and the waiters, of course, didn't even blink. I would love to share entrees with my sister or husband when we go to Disney, but we can't agree on one entree to try!!!

 

[AJA55]

We split an entrée at the L’Originale in September. I asked the waiter if we could do this before we ordered. His response, in both body language and speech was “no big deal”. We do not have big appetites and always leave food on our plates. But this was the ONLY place that we had dessert. Had room for it this time.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You can split the dessert if you want but anything else is a no no as far as I am concerned at the places where fine dinning take place.

 

[ilovefh]

I think the standards might be different outside of WDW. Lots of things are different there. You can dress in shorts and a Tshirt and have a nice dinner and a glass of wine. I think in nicer rest outside of Disney they would questio the sharing a meal, but in Disney, I dont think they blink an eye.

 

[ellyn2000]

I agree with MHopkins2, I usually leave a slightly larger tip if we share a meal. Especially if the server is very polite about our choice to share. I've never had a problem at all.

 

[Bedknobs/Broomsticks]

In college, about 15+ years ago, I was a server at 2 chain restaurants (Casa Maria and Red Lobster). We were expected to be able to sell customers "add-ons" like appetizers, drinks, and desserts. (I think they must have a higher profit margin.) All of our receipts were totaled at the end of the night with a breakdown of the number of add-ons per entree (not necessarily per guest). The higher the percentage, the happier our managers were. Therefore, I would suspect that servers are not reluctant to split meals for guests who order add-ons. Their percentages would look great!

Of course, things may have changed drastically in the restaurant business in the past 15 years. Any current servers out there with some fresh perspectives?

Sharon

PS. I also chronically over-tip.

 

[ilovefh]

I was a server about a year and a half ago. We were encouraged to "up sell" was the term they used. They figured people were going to order entrees anyway, so we pushed desserts and appetizers in order for the restaurant to make more money. (plus the higher the check amount, usually the higher the tip)

 

[Lesley]

Actually, I tend to think that having an opinion about someone else's meal is fairly tacky..... if half of a meal is plenty for you and you can agree on what to order, why not? My dh and I never agree though! LOL

Do whatever you feel works best for you...and don't worry about anyone else's opinion!