Plate Sharing Charges

OK, so I understand charging a share charge when the kitchen is actually splitting up a dish onto two plates and tossing in a couple of extra beans or potatoes. But why is this a MANDATORY practice?

My husband and I really like to share food. It's an easy way to order from every section of the menu and get a good sample of many different things without stuffing yourself to the point of uncomfort. That doesn't mean that we want our dishes split though. We prefer to eat off of the same plate or use little appetizer plates. (Perhaps this is strange, but I think it adds to the social aspect of the meal.) Why should we have to pay a split fee if we don't want our meal split? Or, more importantly, why does it have to be split? Will it look bad to the other diners if a table is, gasp, sharing a meal? We've had many dinners where the split is imposed (Us - we don't want it to be split. Them - sorry, we HAVE to), or even yet they won't split it (per our request) but still charge the fee. Can someone shed some light on this practice?

The wife and I split meals almost every meal for the same reasons. We have never run into the "have to split" rule, but I guessing this rule is in place at the finer dining places? I agree 100% that sharing food adds to the overall dining experience. Probably why we end up at Mojito most of the time.

So, why bother even mentioning to the server what you intend to do? Ask for an extra plate, they don't need to know why you want the plate, or eat half then swap plates. Should solve the sharing charge problem! We do it all the time and have never once been upcharged.

I actually don't think the practice has anything to do with how it looks. It has to do with making the table profitable for the time you are there. If only one entree is ordered the profit for the restaurant is obviously reduced because they plan on $x per person. The only reason they probably split it into two plates you so you feel like you're getting something for your $'s. Maybe you're not sharing an entree to save money (or maybe you are) but the restaurants need to make a profit to survive.

In places that do tapas like Mojitos the profits are higher per plate so this isn't an issue.

We only charge ( a very small fee) if someone says they want an entree split. The big problem with splitting, is the aesthetics of the plate presentation, and I have noted after 20 years of cooking that I will give more food to each split plate than if it was a single entree.If I don't I'm afraid, and I think often correct in assuming that the customer will feel slighted even though they ordered the half entree. I can't stand to see the tiny portions. Its a chef thing I think. I agree with what was said, just don't say anything and share off the same plate. Also, it does reduce the profit on that table by half, but in these economic times that is better than nothing. Just keep mum and there should be no problem. Just my take on it.

The big problem with splitting, is the aesthetics of the plate presentation, and I have noted after 20 years of cooking that I will give more food to each split plate than if it was a single entree.

I agree, and this is why I don't mind paying $3 or $4 for a split entree. In my experience, we end up with more food than had we just ordered one entree and two forks. However, this only applies when the food is actually split and divied onto two plates.

It irks me to no end when a restaurant charges a split fee and one entree is served on a single plate. I don't mind it being on one plate, but please do not charge me for it. There was no additional work or food involved in the process. In that situation, the restaurant is then blatantly saying, "We expect each individual diner to order their own entree, no exceptions." You might as well charge a $20 entrance fee at the door.

My wife and I love great food, but are not huge eaters. Thus, splitting an appetizer, salad, and entree is more than enough food for us, and allows us to taste a variety of items. If the restaurant takes the time and care to split those items onto separate plates (which generally leads to a little extra food), I will happily pay for the trouble.

Brad- where do they charge and not split the entree from the kitchen? I will mark that restaurant off my list for sure.

Well, obviously if we're ordering two entrees then there isn't an issue. I'm referencing when we order one entree and would prefer to share the plate as opposed to having it presented on two separate plates. Like I said before, it's part of the social experience for us. And there is no way that our ordering habits reduce our potential bill - we order multiple appetizers, salads, soup, desert - in fact, I would venture to say that our bill is usually higher than if we only ordered two entrees. It's just the way we prefer to eat. I'm not asking for a solution, I'm just curious as to the reasoning behind the rule implementation.

We will often get an appetizer and 'share' an entree. Expense, calories, etc. Occassionally, the kitchen/server thought they were doing us a favor and divided the entree for us - it looks like less than the total offering - not a charge for it but a gesture on their part. A calzone done that way wasn't the same.
Anyway, we went to one restaurant, had the most expensive app - >$15, a bottle of wine, then I decided that I couldn't eat an entree and Mike ordered one as I planned to continue eating the app and have a bite of his entree. Even with the bottle of wine and app - plus the lasagna was cold - 'reheated' twice - we were charged for 'sharing' an entree. We complained/commented. They thought they might want to reconsider their policy - not be so black and white, etc. Of course, we have never been back. Italian restaurant. Bardstown Road area.
Miss Melilos. Anyone have alternatives for us? We haven't found one yet.
Also, we seldom comment/complain. Just don't go back. So many alternatives out there.
Thanks.

Beth it sounds to me like you just got an inexperienced server that was a bit muddled by the way you ordered dinner. I think some green servers have a tape loop playing in their head of procedures and kitchen rules. "Approach the table ... introduce yourself...recite the specials...get drink orders...salads before entrees... " They don't think in terms of a 'dining experience' but rather in terms of a series of actions that must be completed in a certain order and at a certain time. Each move's timing is dependent on the previous move. You ordered all apps and not the corresponding number of apps for people at the table and it just threw the servers' loop off. The plate charge and mandatory splitting may not have been the restaurant's policy, just a way for the server to cope with the situation.
I dunno, just guessing.

Brad- where do they charge and not split the entree from the kitchen? I will mark that restaurant off my list for sure.

I'd have to give that some thought, Gary. It's happened to us before, here and elsewhere, but exact locations are escaping me. It hasn't happened in a while.

Carla, that could be. It just seems to happen to us frequently. (Which would make sense, since we do eat that way frequently!) It's just frustrating.

Ellen, have you guys tried Come Back Inn? I love them for reasonably priced Italian. Also (and I have not personally been) there have been good reviews of Le Gallo Rosso on the boards.

Ellen,

You might give Volare a try. While it is not on Bardstown road, they have an excellent "small plates" menu and 1/2 priced wines in the bar area.

http://volare-restaurant.com/Menus3.aspx

Some of our favorites:

Smoked Salmone Crostini - 4
Carpaccio di Manzo - 6
Bruschetta - 4
Fromaggio Caprino - 6
Volare Balsamic Wings - 6