On Jul 21, 12:27Â*pm, Sheldon > wrote:
> Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> > "The Ranger" wrote:
>
> > > Would you bribe your way in to a high-caliber restaurant?
>
> > No. �I probably wouldn't go to a high-caliber restaurant if it didn't
> > require a bribe, either. �Just not my scene.
>
> > It's just food, for Pete's sake. �(I know that's heresy here, but
> > whether
> > you pay $2 or $200, it all ends up the same.) �Of course, a woman has
> > to have some standards, but I prefer a middle-of-the-road approach.
> > My idea of a special night out is dinner for two at an Asian fusion
> > place
> > in Ann Arbor. �Since we don't drink... wine, it's usually about $70
> > for
> > both of us.
>
> Depends what's meant by "high-calber", the OP is mute on that point...
> at $70 for essentially stir fry I'd call that high caliber prices..

My husband usually gets the rack of lamb. My order varies, although
I usually get some sort of fish. Not stir fry by any means. The tab
also includes dessert--a "lava" cake thingy with coconut ice cream
and brandied cherries. Very tasty.

> and since you don't drink... booze, you can do just as well at less
> than half that price at a neighborhood golden wok take out... hey, as
> you say it all ends up the same. Â*But that's not the point... you can
> ride from point A to point B in a Toyota Corolla but it just ain't
> nearly the same ride as in a Chrysler 300 SRT.

I owned a Toyota Corolla. It provided an efficient means of
transporting
me and my stuff from Point A to Point B. That is what I desire in a
car.
I have no interest in some big land yacht.

I replaced it with a Matrix because I don't like hauling my groceries
over
the trunk.

> But if I'm going to pay like $100-$150 a couple for a steak dinner at
> a high caliber place Â*(to me high caliber means proper attire too)
> what's a ten spot to the hostess to ensure a better seating location
> and to get seated ahead of two other couples who are too tight
> fisted. Â*When you tip the hostess word passes at the get-go to all the
> other staff and you do indeed get better service, and better food and
> drink. Â*Everything in life has its price and not all things are
> equal... there are steak dinners and there are Steak Dinners... there
> are dentists and there are Dentists. Â*You can call it chi-chi Asian
> fusion all you like, it's stir fry... I wouldn't spend $70 at any
> restaurant for a small plate of sauted onions and broccoli with a few
> tiny bits of mystery meat swimming in thickened bouillion cube
> sauce... and all "fusion" means is that it's way over priced for
> teensy portions of mediocre food served with a paper umbrella.

Rack of lamb, Sheldon, not stir fry. I'd recommend you should
be more open-minded, except observation suggests that you
are incapable of it.

> The exhorbitant prices on the menu is for food only, really not a whit
> of difference from the exhorbitant prices on a vending machine, always
> remember that when you go to any restaurant you are not owed any
> consideration other than having food placed in front of you. Â*Anyone
> unwilling to tip really should eat home... if unwilling to cook or
> unable there are literally hundreds of take outs, many will even
> deliver... but Â*then you had better tip, or never order from them
> again. And usually those delivery emplyees in the neighborhood know
> each other and talk to each other, and in turn talk to the cooks as
> well... don't stiff them

I tip the waiter (and the pizza driver, which is the only kind of
delivery
we can get out in the sticks in the wilds of the Midwest).

Cindy Hamilton