Thoughts on A La Carte Menus?

[6enny]

My thoughts are that they stink.

• I don't want to have to think about sides for my entre. I want the chef to have done that.
• Also, they give the illusion, right or wrong, that I'm paying more for what normally comes for free.

I assume that certain restaurant patrons like these menus, otherwise restaurants would never use them? That or the restaurants are trying to cut costs?

[BarryG]

Most restaurant menus are a la carte, prix fixe menus are the exception. Or do you mean places like steakhouses that serve dishes with no sides?

[6enny]

Ah, I guess you're right, swear the place I'm thinking of uses this term. Yes, dishes with no sides.

The place I'm thinking of is not a steakhouse, but if you ordered the chicken and it would come alone unless you asked for something else.

[Kobe&Sparky]

Interesting. I usually see this type of menu at BBQ restaurants or steakhouses.

Traditionally a la carte menus included composed dishes (main/sides/sauces etc). But allow you to order appetizers or desserts at your will.

Pre-fixe menus usually are menu of several composed dishes including appetizers, salad, main course and dessert. Sometimes they have a choice of main course but sometimes not.

I agree that if you go to a restaurant you want a composed dish or given choice of 2 sides for their list depending on the restaurant. Protein on a plate is not what I would be looking for.

[thegreattwizz]

Nearly every 4-5 star place does this; standard practice as the sides are served family style.

[phillyaggie]

except it's annoying when some joints don't give a side salad or fries with your order of a burger. just another way to rip diners off i guess.

i suppose we should all be getting used to paying for every little thing a la carte... airlines certainly have it figured out how to charge people for things they used to give away as a package deal.

[6enny]

Imagine paying an extra six or seven bucks for green beans. The place i'm thinking of would be 3 or 3.5 stars by my scale. Also, the beans aren't family style.

[BarryG]

Imagine paying an extra six or seven bucks for green beans. The place i'm thinking of would be 3 or 3.5 stars by my scale. Also, the beans aren't family style.

What place?

[6enny]

This can't be the only place that does this. Unless people in Fairmount just don't care about eating their vegetables.

London Grill - Philadelphia Restaurant - MenuPages American (New), British (Modern), Gastropub, Wine Bar Restaurant Search

[BarryG]

This can't be the only place that does this. Unless people in Fairmount just don't care about eating their vegetables.

London Grill - Philadelphia Restaurant - MenuPages American (New), British (Modern), Gastropub, Wine Bar Restaurant Search

Uh those are "small plates." The entrees come with sides. Usually the idea is that you order a 2-3 per person and try a few bites off each plate. It's true that small plates are a way for restaurants to jack up the average ticket total but done well it's also nice for diners to be able to try a lot of different things from the menu. Or just think of them as appetizers.

Anyway your beef is with the small plates trend, not a la carte menus. I agree that it is a bit overdone and if the portions are tiny and the price is high that is a problem if you aren't somewhere fantastic.

[6enny]

The entrees come with sides.

Not at London Grill they don't.

[BarryG]

Not at London Grill they don't.

They do on the menu you posted. Except maybe the steak it looks like.