Price of a Pint

Philip1 · Post by **Philip1** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 2:09 pm

A Duvel at Volo:$5.95. A Duvel at Joe's:$8.95!

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 4:52 pm

Jon Walker wrote:More and more local restaurants and even a few cafes around the world are adopting the French practice of automatically adding a service charge to every bill. In such cases, do not hesitate to ask your waiter or waitress whether that amount is earmarked for them. If it is not (some overly greedy restaurant owners feel that they are entitled to this additional charge), leave an appropriate tip for the person who served you. Keep in mind that in such cases restaura(n)teurs are not only abusing their staff. By forcing us to pay a double service charge, they are also abusing their clients. Personally, I hesitate to return to such places.
http://www.stratsplace.com/rogov/tips_on_tipping.html

There was one particularly shitey restaurant in Florence last fall (Trattoria Icce Ce Ce's, a place east of the Palazzo Vecchio) that took it upon itself to charge a flat 1.5 e for Pane e coperto plus a flat 1.5 e for service per visitor. My (very sad) meal was itself a 10e 'special' with included taxes - making the other charges effectively 30 per cent more than the meal price with its built-in tax.

I have had many fine experiences in Italy but the Old Country (ie. Europe) definitely has its problems of great intellectual dishonesty in the food trade. I guess 'check before you sit' is the lesson - even with a Rick Steves recommended place like this one.

Conversely, there was a cool, casual wine bar in the Ghetto ('foundry') district of Venice where, after I whiled away hours with glasses of select red wines and fine sandwiches, the man just tilted his head back and went, 'ahh... Ten Euro!' He rounded DOWN the total almost two Euros (!) just in a friendly good spirit of gratitude, as well as imposing no service or cover charge. A business that likes customers! What a moment of cultural Nirvana, this casualness. It was also my second visit there, partly because they weren't a drag to deal with (they weren't in the guidebook either, hmm.)

Food is a primal need we have no choice but to fulfill. Businesses in food create their own Karma, it seems... they should remember what they're doing and who it affects.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 5:15 pm

Philip1 wrote:A Duvel at Volo:$5.95. A Duvel at Joe's:$8.95!

Volo's prices can be great - like BB they seem to mark up a few things a bit more than others to cover overall costs & higher rents (the pricing scale can be more qualitative, but hey it's Yonge Street.)

On the lowroad of things, I credit Castro's Lounge with putting a fairly consistent $3.00 mark-up on all their Belgian bottled selections - you don't pay 10.99 for a simple bottle of La Trappe only because it's a 'Quadrupel' and unusual. I like that egalitarian approach, to be frank, it is more 'folks-y', although I can totally validate other pricing strategies downtown - and pay them.

lister · Post by **lister** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:28 am

Philip1 wrote:A Duvel at Volo:$5.95. A Duvel at Joe's:$8.95!

That's not a fair comparison though. Volo is a far bigger establishment, has more on the menu, has a much larger wine selection and is open for lunch.

I go to Joe's about once a month. I generally stick with the taps and any premium I pay is for bottles that I can't get at the LCBO.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:45 am

lister wrote:
Philip1 wrote:A Duvel at Volo:$5.95. A Duvel at Joe's:$8.95!
That's not a fair comparison though. Volo is a far bigger establishment, has more on the menu, has a much larger wine selection and is open for lunch.

I go to Joe's about once a month. I generally stick with the taps and any premium I pay is for bottles that I can't get at the LCBO.

Yeah, Joe's is very tight quarters, and has little diverse revenue base, that's all true.

So they SHOULD charge 50 per cent more for Duvel!

For those who would pay it. My hit list is, like Lister's, more the 'rare' beers and exceptional tap brews. The whole arrangement may be partially financed by the nine-dollar-Duvel type items, so lets be thankful for them.

Plus, Joe's provides awesome bread for snacking. I'm salivating thinking about it! This pub is a great, intimate spot this time of year.

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:46 pm

Anyone looking for some aggressive pricing should also consider Ciro's at Bloor and Lansdowne. Frank isn't trying to get rich selling his beers and the food is also a great value with huge portions at incredibly good prices. I know it's off the beaten track but here's a guy who supports good beer and offers it and good food at very reasonable prices. Too bad the weather has turned as his new patio has been an incredible success this summer.

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 7:47 am

Belgian wrote:Plus, Joe's provides awesome bread for snacking. I'm salivating thinking about it! This pub is a great, intimate spot this time of year.

That's not insignificant either - i have had many a night where I knocked off a good half loaf of bread at Joe's

Thursday · Post by **Thursday** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 1:03 pm

I moved to Toronto from out east just over four years ago and, I must say, I still haven't quite gotten used to paying over $5 for a pint of beer. Yes, the Coast isn't as cheap as it once was (oh those $2 pints and $20 gallon pitchers *sniff*) but - wow - beer in this city can be expensive. I do tend to go a little overboard on the cheap booze anytime I go home - but how can I not?

I am as willing as the next person to pay more for a better beer - but once in awhile there is nothing better - or more satisfying - then a good cheap pint.

That said, where does one go for a 'cheap' pint (or pitcher) in this grand city?

Torontoblue · Post by **Torontoblue** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 1:58 pm

Thursday wrote:That said, where does one go for a 'cheap' pint (or pitcher) in this grand city?

The Volo, Monday nights, $4 pints, and very reasonable all other times. The Feathers on Kingston Road charge $5.50 for a pint of Wellington County Cask Ale, and it's always in tip-top condition. Maybe C'est What, too. But you can't beat Volo for it's prices!

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:49 pm

Wellington Cask Ale at Feathers, shoot that's just a ten minute walk away. Thanks!

Thursday · Post by **Thursday** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:21 am

Hey - thanks for the recomendation, TorontoBlue!

Mmmmm . . . Wellington

Torontoblue · Post by **Torontoblue** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:28 am

Glad to be of service. Though one word of warning; The Feathers gets really, really busy on a Friday afternoon from about 4pm until about 6.30 because it's a favourite hangout of the local teachers. They just take over the place after a hard weeks work at school and take every table! Get there before 4 and you're OK. But the Wellington makes it all worthwhile

The Bar Towel

Price of a Pint

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