Restaurant Wine Pricing (Rant)

Not to disagree with Bill at all , but another factor:

Isn't the highest mark-up on soda? I thought a $1.50-$2.00 Coke costs about $.10-$.15 with a soda fountain.

The bottom line is the business model which needs to make profits somewhere to make up for the very low margins on restaurant foods (once you consider overhead, waste and spoilage).

Deb

My strategy in buying wine in restaurants - if it's a special occasion I'll often buy at the higher end of the list as the mark-up tends to fall off a bit in many establishments. I've purchased some upper end bottles for not much over retail in some places. Otherwise I'll buy a $20-$30 bottle of something solid.

[Robin Garr]

Otherwise I'll buy a $20-$30 bottle of something solid.

That's where you'll usually find me, Mark. Most any place with a decent list will have some really interesting wines in that price range - the best-value buys in the $10 to $15 retail category that I generally shop in when I'm buying for my own enjoyment at home (and to write about).

I'm not a wine guy, but what would be the top 10 or 20 wines to look for at a restaurant, best values that is?

Nothing to add, other than that I cringe every time I see Sutter Home White Zin in a restaurant for $20. It just pains me.

Oh, and also, I would add that the Irish Rover appears to have the smallest markup I've ever seen.

I can't attest to the overall quality of their list, but we were in recently and I noticed many wines that retail in the $10-$15 range on the Rovers' list in the $16.95 range. You're talking sub 60% markup there.

I emailed Robin for permission to make this post, and he thought it was appropriate based on the discussion around Wine Pricing.

With the recent posts on the mark-up and margin on restaurant wine lists, I wanted to let everyone know about our End of the Bin Wine Bottle Special at The White Oak. When you dine with us next week, you will be able to enjoy a very good bottle of wine at a fair price.

During the week of January 11 (both lunch and dinner) all of our wines by the bottle will be on sale. There is not a special menu for the event and includes every bottle and vintage in our inventory. It is everything from Bonterra to Merryvale Profile and Salmon Run Riesling to Michele Chiarlo Barolo. We have over 40 wines by the bottle and several are on allocation and difficult to acquire.

We are located at 620 E. Market Street in the NuLu East Market District.

Please call the restaurant to make reservations at (502) 583-4177 or email us at table@thewhiteoakrestaurant.com.

We look forward to raising a glass with you next week.

Sandy Nixon

With the recent posts on the mark-up and margin on restaurant wine lists, I wanted to let everyone know about our End of the Bin Wine Bottle Special at The White Oak. When you dine with us next week, you will be able to enjoy a very good bottle of wine at a fair price.

And the food is darn good. . .

Also, regarding liquor mark-ups, The White Oak is very good. Last time we were there, my wife had a Grey Goose martini and I had a Hendricks on the rocks, and the total was around $12 for both drinks, maybe a little more. A Grey Goose and a Hendricks most other places would be $20+, and in some places updwards of $25.

Rivue is another spot that has a pretty decent liquor markup.

Rant on:

For people who think restaurants charge too much, I offer the following advice: stay home.

There are so many expenses involved in running a business. State wine license, county wine license, liability insurance, city "patio permit" (yup, gotta pay the city for the honor to put chairs outside), worker's comp insurance, repairs and maintenance, etc. And the obvious ones like rent, utilities, salaries, furniture, etc. It adds up.

I once had a customer who didn't want to pay the ten cents I charge for a to-go cup of water (my cups cost about ten cents, so not making any money there, probably losing money especially if you consider labor. He hadn't bought anything else, just wanted free water). He couldn't understand that it costs me money for cups. (he wasn't very smart) But same concept here.

Some people will stay home. I think that is ok. If they want to go out, they'll need to pay more than store price.

Rant off.

Rant on:

For people who think restaurants charge too much, I offer the following advice: stay home.

There are so many expenses involved in running a business. State wine license, county wine license, liability insurance, city "patio permit" (yup, gotta pay the city for the honor to put chairs outside), worker's comp insurance, repairs and maintenance, etc. And the obvious ones like rent, utilities, salaries, furniture, etc. It adds up.

I once had a customer who didn't want to pay the ten cents I charge for a to-go cup of water (my cups cost about ten cents, so not making any money there, probably losing money especially if you consider labor. He hadn't bought anything else, just wanted free water). He couldn't understand that it costs me money for cups. (he wasn't very smart) But same concept here.

Some people will stay home. I think that is ok. If they want to go out, they'll need to pay more than store price.

Rant off.

I think people are saying some places are charging too much, not all restaurants. I don't mind paying for something, I just don't want to feel I am getting the shaft. But I agree, if you feel a place is screwing you, don't go back .

Rant on:

For people who think restaurants charge too much, I offer the following advice: stay home.

There are so many expenses involved in running a business. State wine license, county wine license, liability insurance, city "patio permit" (yup, gotta pay the city for the honor to put chairs outside), worker's comp insurance, repairs and maintenance, etc. And the obvious ones like rent, utilities, salaries, furniture, etc. It adds up.

I once had a customer who didn't want to pay the ten cents I charge for a to-go cup of water (my cups cost about ten cents, so not making any money there, probably losing money especially if you consider labor. He hadn't bought anything else, just wanted free water). He couldn't understand that it costs me money for cups. (he wasn't very smart) But same concept here.

Some people will stay home. I think that is ok. If they want to go out, they'll need to pay more than store price.

Rant off.

Off your meds today?

Rant on:

For people who think restaurants charge too much, I offer the following advice: stay home.

There are so many expenses involved in running a business. State wine license, county wine license, liability insurance, city "patio permit" (yup, gotta pay the city for the honor to put chairs outside), worker's comp insurance, repairs and maintenance, etc. And the obvious ones like rent, utilities, salaries, furniture, etc. It adds up.

I once had a customer who didn't want to pay the ten cents I charge for a to-go cup of water (my cups cost about ten cents, so not making any money there, probably losing money especially if you consider labor. He hadn't bought anything else, just wanted free water). He couldn't understand that it costs me money for cups. (he wasn't very smart) But same concept here.

Some people will stay home. I think that is ok. If they want to go out, they'll need to pay more than store price.

Rant off.

I think people are saying some places are charging to much, not all restaurants. I don't mind paying for something, I just don't want to feel I am getting the shaft. But I agree, if you feel a place is screwing you, don't go back .

I agree with Justin. Many of us are consumers, and are therefore entitled to comparison shop. If I can get the same bottle of wine or same top-shelf liquor at two restaurants with comparable food, but at 5%-10% less, then that's good knowledge for me to have and may influence where I go. If restaurant X can upcharge their wine at 3 times cost and they sell lots of it, more power to them, but I may choose to go elsewhere.

[Robin Garr]

Off your meds today?

Hey, ole buddy ... we value civility here. Feel free to disagree strenuously with Nimbus - I know you do, and I'm sure he expects that. But I'd just as soon not have this be the kind of forum where folks sling around insults. Wanna reboot and re-shoot?

Off your meds today?

Hey, ole buddy ... we value civility here. Feel free to disagree strenuously with Nimbus - I know you do, and I'm sure he expects that. But I'd just as soon not have this be the kind of forum where folks sling around insults. Wanna reboot and re-shoot?

I apologize to everyone for for my over reaction.
Bill

[Robin Garr]

I apologize to everyone for for my over reaction.
Bill

No harm, no foul. Have a beer!