You're Told a Bottle of Wine Costs "Thirty-Seven-Fifty"... (1 Viewer)

[RUSF18]

What are you expecting to pay?

...
A week ago, he and two others of his party of 10 decided to share a bottle of wine, he said.

The host of the dinner -- the guy who would be paying the bill -- told Lentini to pick a bottle, Lentini said.

"I asked the waitress if she could recommend something decent because I don't have experience with wine," Lentini said. "She pointed to a bottle on the menu. I didn't have my glasses. I asked how much and she said, 'Thirty-seven fifty.'"

The drinkers at the table agreed to the price and they ordered, Lentini said.

Soon, the sommelier -- the wine steward -- presented the corked bottle at the table. Lentini said he was having conversation with his companions and didn't really pay attention, but he approved of the bottle.

A taste of the wine was served for him to sample. He approved, he said, and the bottle was placed on the table.

"It was okay. It was good," Lentini said of the wine. "It wasn't great. It wasn't terrible. It was fine."

When dinner was over, the check was handed to the host, who was sitting opposite Lentini at the round table, Lentini said.

"[The host] was sitting across from me and he handed the bill to person next to him, who handed it to the next person until it got to me," he said. "I showed the gentleman next to me and we were shocked. We couldn't believe it."

The total bill was $4,700.61, including tax. The bottle of wine, Screaming Eagle, Oakville 2011 -- cost $3,750.

Full story:

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2014/11/bamboozled_what_happens_when_a_3750_bottle_of_wine_really_costs_3750.html

 

[eoMMan]

Jeez.

 

[Rubi]

In the states I'd read "thirty-seven-fifty" as $3,750.00

In Europe she might say "thirty-seven AND fifty" which would be 37.50 euros

 

[fantasycurse42]

If you're picking up the check for a group, you order the wine yourself. This is standard operating procedure.

 

[NCCommish]

I would have taken it as 37.50. There is a reason we have the word thousand.

 

[Jackstraw]

What a sucker bet. For four grand that crap ought to induce orgasms.

Gimmee the gallon jug of burgundy and get out of my way.

 

[Worm]

When have you ordered a bottle of wine at a restaurant that ever had cents attached to the price?

Never. None times.

 

[Rubi]

I would have taken it as 37.50. There is a reason we have the word thousand.

we also have the word cents,niether was used.

 

[General Malaise]

Oh, this is at a Bobby Flay restaurant? Not shocked, really. Bobby Flay loves him some Bobby Flay.

 

[RUSF18]

I think it takes some stones to "recommend" a $3K bottle of wine, if we believe the rest of the story of course.

 

[General Malaise]

When have you ordered a bottle of wine at a restaurant that ever had cents attached to the price?

Never. None times.

You are unfamiliar with the terrific vintage of Thunderbird I assume?

 

[mquinnjr]

Reminds me of the "I Am Rich" iPhone app, where some of the people who bought it didn't really intend to do so.

 

[[icon]]

I would have taken it as 37.50. There is a reason we have the word thousand.

Yep. Unless I'm in a place that it would be impossible to expect there to be $37.50 bottle of wine. But it would have to be REALLY obvious.

 

[eoMMan]

Kinda depends on the restaurant.

I know I'm not getting $4k bottle of wine at Ruby Tuesday.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I hope they at least screwed them on the tip.

 

[jonessed]

I would have never paid it. If you are quoting me a food or drink item that costs over one thousand dollars you better you use the word "thousand" in there somewhere.

 

[matuski]

3750?

Bro do you even lift?

 

[jfranco77]

Shady move by the sommelier. Stupid not to ask for clarification that it was $37.50 but who recommends a bottle of wine that expensive?

 

[General Malaise]

"The person serving the wine has the obligation to make the price of the wine immediately clear," he said, noting that he used to own three restaurants. "That's because $3,750 is a big number for anybody, except for perhaps hedge fund managers."

Uh, no....I've worked in hedge funds since 1999 and been treated to some outstanding dinners over the years. Nobody is ordering $3,750 bottles of wine. Hedge fund managers don't get rich by ignoring price altogether.

 

[Brony]

This is on the server. Someone says they don't know anything about wine and you suggest a bottle that's almost $4,000? C'mon. I hope they get canned.

 

[The Noid]

"It was okay. It was good," Lentini said of the wine. "It wasn't great. It wasn't terrible. It was fine."

This is why wine is a scam. For $3,750, he shouldn't have needed to wait for the bill to realize what happened. The wine should have knocked the guy over in his chair as soon as it his lips.

 

[Sammy3469]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

 

[NCCommish]

"The person serving the wine has the obligation to make the price of the wine immediately clear," he said, noting that he used to own three restaurants. "That's because $3,750 is a big number for anybody, except for perhaps hedge fund managers."

Uh, no....I've worked in hedge funds since 1999 and been treated to some outstanding dinners over the years. Nobody is ordering $3,750 bottles of wine. Hedge fund managers don't get rich by ignoring price altogether.

Well he was probably talking people like Soros at 4 billion in earnings 2013 or Tepper at 3.5 billion.

 

[comfortably numb]

Customer: "Hi Toyota salesman, I don't know much about cars can you recommend a car for me?"

Toyota salesman: "Sure how about the http://www.gizmag.com/the-usd465000-lexus-lfa-nurburgring/17931/"

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I would have never paid it. If you are quoting me a food or drink item that costs over one thousand dollars you better you use the word "thousand" in there somewhere.

This. There is zero chance that I would pay for this. The restaurant should consider itself lucky if I pay for the food.

 

[Thorn]

When have you ordered a bottle of wine at a restaurant that ever had cents attached to the price?

Never. None times.

I dunno but this guy even volunteered that he was not familiar with ordering wine. Putting $3,750 on someone who tells you they don't know wine is outrageous.

 

[Bucky86]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

This doesn't make sense. Apps and entrees make it easy to get to $100+ per person.

 

[comfortably numb]

This all depends

Did the server day "fifty" or "fitty"

 

[E-Z Glider]

Im safe because I would've never agreed to pay $37.50 for a bottle of wine.

 

[Thorn]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

It was a party of 10, and presumably other drinks were ordered. $950 is not out of line.

 

[RUSF18]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

Food for 10 people?

 

[fantasycurse42]

I think it takes some stones to "recommend" a $3K bottle of wine, if we believe the rest of the story of course.

That would be good waiter shtick though.

 

[Jaysus]

Im safe because I would've never agreed to pay $37.50 for a bottle of wine.

 

[fantasycurse42]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

Food for 10 people?

That isn't excessive at all, especially for a restaurant with $4k bottles of wine readily available.

 

[General Malaise]

"The person serving the wine has the obligation to make the price of the wine immediately clear," he said, noting that he used to own three restaurants. "That's because $3,750 is a big number for anybody, except for perhaps hedge fund managers."

Uh, no....I've worked in hedge funds since 1999 and been treated to some outstanding dinners over the years. Nobody is ordering $3,750 bottles of wine. Hedge fund managers don't get rich by ignoring price altogether.

Well he was probably talking people like Soros at 4 billion in earnings 2013 or Tepper at 3.5 billion.

Oh. Well, those guys don't really call me anymore.

 

[NCCommish]

"The person serving the wine has the obligation to make the price of the wine immediately clear," he said, noting that he used to own three restaurants. "That's because $3,750 is a big number for anybody, except for perhaps hedge fund managers."

Uh, no....I've worked in hedge funds since 1999 and been treated to some outstanding dinners over the years. Nobody is ordering $3,750 bottles of wine. Hedge fund managers don't get rich by ignoring price altogether.

Well he was probably talking people like Soros at 4 billion in earnings 2013 or Tepper at 3.5 billion.

Oh. Well, those guys don't really call me anymore.

They are intimidated by you is the problem.

 

[Sammy3469]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

This doesn't make sense.

Let's see...your at the Bobby Flay restaurant right off the casino floor in the Borgata ordering an $135 seafood tower and at least one order of lamb chops. There's a reason those expensive bottles are on that menu at that location. It's because they are ordered by NYC guys coming down to gamble in large amounts or host clients (think brokers trying to get business from hedge fund managers) they are looking to impress.

 

[fantasycurse42]

"The person serving the wine has the obligation to make the price of the wine immediately clear," he said, noting that he used to own three restaurants. "That's because $3,750 is a big number for anybody, except for perhaps hedge fund managers."

Uh, no....I've worked in hedge funds since 1999 and been treated to some outstanding dinners over the years. Nobody is ordering $3,750 bottles of wine. Hedge fund managers don't get rich by ignoring price altogether.

You would have to be a fool to order a bottle that expensive and most people who earn enough where a $4k bottle isn't a big deal aren't fools.

 

[Sammy3469]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

It was a party of 10, and presumably other drinks were ordered. $950 is not out of line.

Not that it matters, but the bill says 8 guests

 

[lod01]

The ####### should have known it was $3750 when he looked at the dinner menu prices. What a moron. The dinner cost them about a grand. What in the world made them think the wine was a measly 37 bucks?

I bet Mad Dog 20/20 tastes better than that stuff.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Im safe because I would've never agreed to pay $37.50 for a bottle of wine.

Wine is a huge scam.

 

[RUSF18]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

This doesn't make sense.

Let's see...your at the Bobby Flay restaurant right off the casino floor in the Borgata ordering an $135 seafood tower and at least one order of lamb chops. There's a reason those expensive bottles are on that menu at that location. It's because they are ordered by NYC guys coming down to gamble in large amounts or host clients (think brokers trying to get business from hedge fund managers) they are looking to impress.

You're obviously trolling (lamb chops means you should expect to pay $4K for wine?) but just so you know, those seafood towers are usually priced for the number of people eating it. Usually about $35-$45/person and they'll give an appropriate amount of seafood based on what you tell them.

 

[tommyboy]

the guy that ordered it is a moron.

 

[General Malaise]

"The person serving the wine has the obligation to make the price of the wine immediately clear," he said, noting that he used to own three restaurants. "That's because $3,750 is a big number for anybody, except for perhaps hedge fund managers."

Uh, no....I've worked in hedge funds since 1999 and been treated to some outstanding dinners over the years. Nobody is ordering $3,750 bottles of wine. Hedge fund managers don't get rich by ignoring price altogether.

Well he was probably talking people like Soros at 4 billion in earnings 2013 or Tepper at 3.5 billion.

Oh. Well, those guys don't really call me anymore.

They are intimidated by you is the problem.

I do have that certain 'he's diseased' quality about me.

 

[General Malaise]

I am now going to look at every wine menu everywhere I go to see if I can find some 'cents' in there. I just looked at one of Portland's most hip wine bars and I'll be damned if I didn't see ANY cents listed on their extensive wine list. Never even thought about it before, but I think Worm is right here.

 

[Bucky86]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

It was a party of 10, and presumably other drinks were ordered. $950 is not out of line.

Not that it matters, but the bill says 8 guests

So? That's really not crazy.

 

[Sammy3469]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

This doesn't make sense.

Let's see...your at the Bobby Flay restaurant right off the casino floor in the Borgata ordering an $135 seafood tower and at least one order of lamb chops. There's a reason those expensive bottles are on that menu at that location. It's because they are ordered by NYC guys coming down to gamble in large amounts or host clients (think brokers trying to get business from hedge fund managers) they are looking to impress.

You're obviously trolling (lamb chops means you should expect to pay $4K for wine?) but just so you know, those seafood towers are usually priced for the number of people eating it. Usually about $35-$45/person and they'll give an appropriate amount of seafood based on what you tell them.

I'm not trolling...it's not like brokers don't take hedge fund traders and their teams to the Borgata to gamble and wine and dine. For all the server knew the host was asking his most important client to pick whatever bottle he wanted. That wouldn't be that out of the ordinary for that location.

I mean think of it this way, what type of bills do you think brokers run up taking traders to strip clubs in NYC?

Edit: my point is crazy bills/orders/drink purchases happen all the time when you are entertaining guests in the NYC-area restaurants. It's the reason all these places stock this stuff.

 

[Eephus]

One bottle of wine for ten people?

 

[Bucky86]

It wouldn't surprise me if there was a bit more to the story...

I would think the manager would personally check with the person ordering, and in friendly way, make sure they know what they're ordering and its cost.

 

[fantasycurse42]

The guy is complaining about a $3750 bottle of wine after ordering $950 in food. What did he think he was ordering?

This doesn't make sense.

Let's see...your at the Bobby Flay restaurant right off the casino floor in the Borgata ordering an $135 seafood tower and at least one order of lamb chops. There's a reason those expensive bottles are on that menu at that location. It's because they are ordered by NYC guys coming down to gamble in large amounts or host clients (think brokers trying to get business from hedge fund managers) they are looking to impress.

You're obviously trolling (lamb chops means you should expect to pay $4K for wine?) but just so you know, those seafood towers are usually priced for the number of people eating it. Usually about $35-$45/person and they'll give an appropriate amount of seafood based on what you tell them.

I'm not trolling...it's not like brokers don't take hedge fund traders and their teams to the Borgata to gamble and wine and dine. For all the server knew the host was asking his most important client to pick whatever bottle he wanted. That wouldn't be that out of the ordinary for that location.

I mean think of it this way, what type of bills do you think brokers run up taking traders to strip clubs in NYC?

Just an FYI for anyone looking to take clients out in NYC to strip clubs...

Penthouse Club comes up as Roberts Steakhouse and Ricks Cabaret comes up as RCI on the credit cards.

I can assure you as someone who wines and dines clients frequently and knows the above, it would still take massive balls to put an order in for a $4k bottle of wine. That would be being a #### for the purpose of being a ####.