Dinner Issue?

Just returned from a visit home and enjoyed several exquisite meals while there, but encountered a new situation.
A little back ground. Our server did an excellent job the entire evening and elevated our meal beyond the delicious food, in addition to him there were "runners" involved in the meal delivering dishes, etc.
Here's what happened. A friend dining with us received his entree and almost immediately after, the runner approached the table so fast (not the first time) it startled him. He feared she would knock over his water glass perched by the aisle and while trying to protect it from the runner knocked it over in his entree. He was a model of calm and our server quickly swooped in, removed the ruined dish and had a replacement from the kitchen in maybe 10 minutes and we finished dining without further incident.
Later that evening over drinks at Tartan House (shout out to Eron Plev!) he said the restaurant charged him for two entrees and he paid without question.
My question for the group: While my friend handled it perfectly (except for a tad of clumsiness) without making a fuss, should the restaurant made some kind of accommodation for the role of the runner? This a high end expensive restaurant that has been around for ages. One more detail. I tipped generously and so did my friend, except he did not tip on the replacement entree.
What say ye?

[Robin Garr]

I think the double charge was unfortunate. I’m pretty sure that most high end spots (and a lot of cheap ones, too) would eat the cost of the ruined dish as a good will move and more likely to build repeat traffic.

Was it an oversight? Greed? Or a business running so close to the edge that they can’t afford such a gesture? I can’t even guess.

What do you think, Tim?

IMO, their replacement of the ruined dish was on them... Many years ago, I had dinner at Morton's, and asked for a to-go box, which, they whisk your plate away and have someone box it up, as opposed to handing you a box so you can DIY. Anyway, I was told that the one onion ring remaining on my plate had fallen on the floor, but they were frying me one to replace it. Yes, a single onion ring. They didn't charge extra for it, though.

I think the double charge was unfortunate. I’m pretty sure that most high end spots (and a lot of cheap ones, too) would eat the cost of the ruined dish as a good will move and more likely to build repeat traffic.

Was it an oversight? Greed? Or a business running so close to the edge that they can’t afford such a gesture? I can’t even guess.

What do you think, Tim?

I think they should have made some kind of accommodation and if it had happened to me, I would have asked our server to call over the manager to ask if my bill was correct. If the manager said yes, they had to charge for the replacement I would have quietly complied. I have to add since I only get back to Louisville about once per year and because there are so many good restaurants (I haven't dined at Meesh Meesh yet!) We will probably not return here.

[Robin Garr]

(I haven't dined at Meesh Meesh yet!)

Cutting to the chase, you really ought to give it a try.