large booking at restaurant- how to split the bill?

Andypandyboy

You see, I can understand why you didn't go, but I wonder if the motivation of the person concerned was as "underhanded" as you seem to think. Maybe, just maybe, she thought you might like to go out, try new things, etc,etc, If she is as calculating as you paint her I wouldn't just have turned the invite down but would have stopped bothering with her at all.

In our circle, we go out on birthdays and often the person celebrating is paid for. If we were to ask someone else to join us, it would be because of the reasons given above not because we need someone to split the costs with.

mumps

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

But Pastures New, I have never had anyone try to shaft me in underhand ways like that - you seem to have loads, in fact the way you talk it seems as though every meal you go to people are trying to swindle you. Don't you ever go out and just having a relaxing time not worrying about it?

Maybe she can't afford it though. I don't let it worry me, although I do think some people take advantage, but then I'm not short of money, not rich but a meal out isn't going to make a jot of difference to my week but I do realise that for some people it takes a bit of planning to make the money stretch so for them it would be a big deal.

Sorry PasturesNew if that isn't your issue.

Wouldn't you think it was a shame if someone who would love to go out for a meal with you and your friends felt they couldn't?

onlyroz

missbiggles1 wrote: »

No, but it is part of a chain and not really fine dining.

(Although it does sound tasty.)

8 restaurants globally constitutes a chain? :T

Andypandyboy

onlyroz wrote: »

8 restaurants globally constitutes a chain? :T

Yes, what else would it be?

Fine dining establishments usually stand alone, even if the chef patron has other restaurants they are individual with differing characteristics.

onlyroz

Andypandyboy wrote: »

Yes, what else would it be?

Fine dining establishments usually stand alone, even if the chef patron has other restaurants they are individual with differing characteristics.

Considering that only one of the 8 is in the UK I think it's safe to say that they will all have an individual character and most patrons would only regularly visit one in the "chain".

Homeownertobe

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I still don't understand what this 'tasting menu' is and why everyone has to partake of it???

Now, up to date :I have just been for a Sunday Carvery with another person. We both had the carvery but he also had two pints of beer and I only had coffee. Should I have asked him to pay more than me?

A tasting menu is a multiple course taster of the restaurants offerings. Usually served with a specific wine for each course to enhance the flavours. It takes far more work, time and preparation to produce it and it has its own beat, so it's not appropriate to serve it alongside someone only having a main or whatever.

It's perfectly standard, though some call it 'draconian'. Mainly I suspect because they don't understand what it means.:rotfl:

Andypandyboy

PasturesNew wrote: »

She'd never met me before. She's no idea of my position nor my past experiences, nor nothing about what I'd like/not.

This wasn't a circle. This was the visiting friend of somebody I've met 3x. The person I've met 3x invited me to join them at the local pub for something to eat, so I went.... when this stranger came up with her Grand Scheme.

The thing is, with these "invites" is you're given the invite first - and the "catch" afterwards.

So conversely, you have no idea of her position or experiences or motivations. She may have been just being kind by including you in what sounds (to me) like a nice evening , and yet you accord her with quite nasty intentions.

You go further, you then say she would have pretended she was paying for it all and given you no credit,etc, etc. You don't know that as you don't know the woman, yet that is your first thought.

It is quite sad to approach everybody as though they are out to do you down.

cbrown372

Fine dining surprise taster menu, all at the table must participate £80 a head.

http://thekitchin.com/menus/tasting-classic

Set lunch is pretty reasonable though at £29.50

http://thekitchin.com/menus/set-lunch

Vegetarian lunch, not a lasagne in sight

http://thekitchin.com/menus/set-lunch-vegetarian

Even a vegetarian taster menu, £10 cheaper at £70, again all at the table

http://thekitchin.com/menus/tasting-vegetarian

Andypandyboy

onlyroz wrote: »

Considering that only one of the 8 is in the UK I think it's safe to say that they will all have an individual character and most patrons would only regularly visit one in the "chain".

I would doubt that. From their blurb it appears that they will replicate the same format at every outlet, as a signature formula, which is the hallmark of a chain.

Homeownertobe

onlyroz wrote: »

It is clearly mentioned on the websites of some establishments that offer tasting menus. There are many others that don't impose such draconian rules on their diners.

Do calm down. It's not draconian, it's perfectly standard. The one example you could muster is a place that specialises in cooking many dishes anyway. So hardly typical.;)