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

[cstu]

"sommelier"

Ranks right up there with "Feng Shui Expert" and "Diamond Appraiser"

You'd be even more disgusted when you find out how much these guys get paid to drink wine and act pretentious.

You'd be even more shocked to know that a sommelier also knows about beer and spirits. And menus, people skills, dishwashing, etc...we do everything there is help needed in a restaurant

You are one? If so, that's awesome and good for you. Sounds like one of the best jobs in the world.

I just know the ones I've encountered in Vegas make well over six figures. So my comment is more out of jealousy than anything.

It takes six figure talent to sell greatly overpriced wine.

 

[Jayrok]

I ain't paying no thirty seven fifty for no wine

oh ho ho.. then you ain't gettin' no wine... know what I mean?

 

[cstu]

1 star reviews already rolling in...

 

[jon_mx]

1 star reviews already rolling in...

Good. Hopefully they do not get removed. So far there are three or four because of this.

 

[Jayrok]

If the price was $3,000 instead of $3,750 would the waitress have said "thirty"?

 

[jon_mx]

I am shocked they are letting this go so long without correcting it. Really going to be bad for the resturaunt.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I guess next time the guy will bring his reading glasses.

On the story as told there is no way I am paying more than $37.50.

 

[jon_mx]

Bobby Flay's name is worth millions and he is going to lose it for $2200? Really stupid IMHO.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

When Bobby Flay fillets start getting delivered to the Borgata they will have suspects.

I can see the note now. "If you want Bobby returned alive put thirty-seven fifty in an empty Screaming Eagle wine bottle and deliver it, along with a bag of southwest seasoning, to the mens bathroom at Wolfgang Pucks on the Vegas strip in 24 hours. No Cops!"

 

[belljr]

This was at the Borgata? They'll apologize soon

 

[shadyridr]

I ate at Bobby Flays for my 10 yr wedding anniversary. The wife and I decided to splurge and order a bottle of wine (we never do). The sommelier recommended a $40 1/2 bottle and for some dumb reason we agreed. I was beating myself up about the decision. I cant imagine $3750. lmao. Anyway, the wine was pretty good and then when we were done in the restaurant my wife hit a $5000 jackpot on her first machine!

 

[shadyridr]

This was at the Borgata? They'll apologize soon

Buddy of mine told me he went last week with his wife for their anniversary. Have you ever eaten there? Theres a row of two seat tables by the windows that you probably are on top of the people next to you. Anyway, they sat next to a couple where the guy was talking the whole time on his phone loudly. When their meal was done, my buddy's wife complained to the host and they profusely apologized and comped him a meal for next time they visit.

 

[jon_mx]

I ate at Bobby Flays for my 10 yr wedding anniversary. The wife and I decided to splurge and order a bottle of wine (we never do). The sommelier recommended a $40 1/2 bottle and for some dumb reason we agreed. I was beating myself up about the decision. I cant imagine $3750. lmao. Anyway, the wine was pretty good and then when we were done in the restaurant my wife hit a $5000 jackpot on her first machine!

It is your 10th Anniversary and you were beating yourself up for splurging for $40? Come on, live a little.....

 

[massraider]

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?

18th post, and the best.

Unless the guest is making it clear he's looking to make a statement like that, this is dirty pool.

By the way, I've been to this restaurant, it's surprising how reasonable it is, really. lots of affordable wines. Complaining about a 300% markup? In a casino? Maybe stick to family restaurants.

I'd fire the server. Too many professional servers in that town that would murder their children for that job to have one that gives that much bad publicity.

 

[comfortably numb]

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?

18th post, and the best.

Unless the guest is making it clear he's looking to make a statement like that, this is dirty pool.

By the way, I've been to this restaurant, it's surprising how reasonable it is, really. lots of affordable wines. Complaining about a 300% markup? In a casino? Maybe stick to family restaurants.

I'd fire the server. Too many professional servers in that town that would murder their children for that job to have one that gives that much bad publicity.

right,

if i tell the sever i don't know much what can you recommend, i'm not expecting something on the top of their wine list.

if i say give me one of your best wines bottles on hand, all bets are off

 

[belljr]

This was at the Borgata? They'll apologize soon

Buddy of mine told me he went last week with his wife for their anniversary. Have you ever eaten there? Theres a row of two seat tables by the windows that you probably are on top of the people next to you. Anyway, they sat next to a couple where the guy was talking the whole time on his phone loudly. When their meal was done, my buddy's wife complained to the host and they profusely apologized and comped him a meal for next time they visit.

no I've eaten in the Italian joint downstairs a few times

 

[comfortably numb]

I ate at Bobby Flays for my 10 yr wedding anniversary. The wife and I decided to splurge and order a bottle of wine (we never do). The sommelier recommended a $40 1/2 bottle and for some dumb reason we agreed. I was beating myself up about the decision. I cant imagine $3750. lmao. Anyway, the wine was pretty good and then when we were done in the restaurant my wife hit a $5000 jackpot on her first machine!

It is your 10th Anniversary and you were beating yourself up for splurging for $40? Come on, live a little.....

well, it was 1/2 bottle

 

[shadyridr]

This was at the Borgata? They'll apologize soon

Buddy of mine told me he went last week with his wife for their anniversary. Have you ever eaten there? Theres a row of two seat tables by the windows that you probably are on top of the people next to you. Anyway, they sat next to a couple where the guy was talking the whole time on his phone loudly. When their meal was done, my buddy's wife complained to the host and they profusely apologized and comped him a meal for next time they visit.

no I've eaten in the Italian joint downstairs a few times

Yeah I went there two weeks ago. Amazing meal

 

[Billy Bats]

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?

18th post, and the best.Unless the guest is making it clear he's looking to make a statement like that, this is dirty pool.

By the way, I've been to this restaurant, it's surprising how reasonable it is, really. lots of affordable wines. Complaining about a 300% markup? In a casino? Maybe stick to family restaurants.

I'd fire the server. Too many professional servers in that town that would murder their children for that job to have one that gives that much bad publicity.

right,

if i tell the sever i don't know much what can you recommend, i'm not expecting something on the top of their wine list.

if i say give me one of your best wines bottles on hand, all bets are off

That's it right there. The onus is in the server/sommelier who, it seems to me, took advantage of the situation. Having worked in hospitality, it can be a dirty(ruthless) business. Working in a high end restaurant like that servers are assuming price is no option, especially in a group party and will jack up the bills any way they can, I've witnessed t first hand. As a bartender I was told to open wine bottles that I knew the party wasn't going to drink, but because they were opened the server had the right to add them to his bill. I refused and happily was never assigned one of his parties again.

 

[Guest]

BTW - quick Google search shows this on a few local news sites. Flay would be smart to make this right immediately, because it's most likely a matter of time before this goes wide. Would play better if it was made right prior to going mainstream. Tick tock.

 

[massraider]

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?

18th post, and the best.Unless the guest is making it clear he's looking to make a statement like that, this is dirty pool.

By the way, I've been to this restaurant, it's surprising how reasonable it is, really. lots of affordable wines. Complaining about a 300% markup? In a casino? Maybe stick to family restaurants.

I'd fire the server. Too many professional servers in that town that would murder their children for that job to have one that gives that much bad publicity.

right,

if i tell the sever i don't know much what can you recommend, i'm not expecting something on the top of their wine list.

if i say give me one of your best wines bottles on hand, all bets are off

That's it right there. The onus is in the server/sommelier who, it seems to me, took advantage of the situation. Having worked in hospitality, it can be a dirty(ruthless) business. Working in a high end restaurant like that servers are assuming price is no option, especially in a group party and will jack up the bills any way they can, I've witnessed t first hand. As a bartender I was told to open wine bottles that I knew the party wasn't going to drink, but because they were opened the server had the right to add them to his bill. I refused and happily was never assigned one of his parties again.

I had a big bachelor dinner at this Manhattan restaurant a long time ago, and the shadiest thing I ever saw happened:

The server started pouring water out of Fiji bottles, and no one asked for bottled water. She didn't leave the bottles on the table, would pour a glass, and disappear. Reappear with a full bottle when someone asked for another glass, or needed a refill. We were doing shots, being a loud, I am sure she figured no one would notice. My buddy, a notorious cheapskate, noticed. He kind of whispered to me, 'check out the server with the water'. I watched, and she left with an almost full bottle, and returned with a full one.

I asked for a manager, and tore him a new one. The bottles were $12 a piece, she had put 9 of them on the tab already (party of 8 or 10). I had asked for a copy of the bill before they knew why we were upset. I explained to him what was going on, where I worked (3 star restaurant), and who I would tell this story to if they didn't do the right thing.

They wound up removing all the water, comping out appetizers, and sending out shots, but I still saw the story in the Wall Street Journal months later, so they must have been pulling it forever.

 

[massraider]

BTW - quick Google search shows this on a few local news sites. Flay would be smart to make this right immediately, because it's most likely a matter of time before this goes wide. Would play better if it was made right prior to going mainstream. Tick tock.

It's on Eater already. It's national.

 

[RUSF18]

This is why everyone should go to Old Homestead at Borgata instead.

 

[jon_mx]

BTW - quick Google search shows this on a few local news sites. Flay would be smart to make this right immediately, because it's most likely a matter of time before this goes wide. Would play better if it was made right prior to going mainstream. Tick tock.

It's on Eater already. It's national.

Pretty dumb. The longer he waits, the worse it gets. It is inevitable that he has to eat it.

 

[massraider]

In fairness:

The guy had the wine list, the server pointed to the wine, and the server and somm both verified the wine.

The server used that phrasing to soften the blow of the price, but I really doubt she was trying to make everyone think it was 37 dollars. Recommending a wine that expensive was the real questionable part.

Not for nothing, you have the wine list, the server points to the wine......customers have the menu for a reason.

 

[jon_mx]

In fairness:

The guy had the wine list, the server pointed to the wine, and the server and somm both verified the wine.

The server used that phrasing to soften the blow of the price, but I really doubt she was trying to make everyone think it was 37 dollars. Recommending a wine that expensive was the real questionable part.

Not for nothing, you have the wine list, the server points to the wine......customers have the menu for a reason.

There is a fine line between softening the blow and being misleading. A waiter/waitress that has the balls to suggest a $3750 bottle of wine is in all likelihood being misleading. The customer pointed out he could not read the menu, which is why he asked for the price. You can't fall back on that.

 

[Billy Bats]

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?

18th post, and the best.Unless the guest is making it clear he's looking to make a statement like that, this is dirty pool.

By the way, I've been to this restaurant, it's surprising how reasonable it is, really. lots of affordable wines. Complaining about a 300% markup? In a casino? Maybe stick to family restaurants.

I'd fire the server. Too many professional servers in that town that would murder their children for that job to have one that gives that much bad publicity.

right,

if i tell the sever i don't know much what can you recommend, i'm not expecting something on the top of their wine list.

if i say give me one of your best wines bottles on hand, all bets are off

That's it right there. The onus is in the server/sommelier who, it seems to me, took advantage of the situation. Having worked in hospitality, it can be a dirty(ruthless) business. Working in a high end restaurant like that servers are assuming price is no option, especially in a group party and will jack up the bills any way they can, I've witnessed t first hand. As a bartender I was told to open wine bottles that I knew the party wasn't going to drink, but because they were opened the server had the right to add them to his bill. I refused and happily was never assigned one of his parties again.

I had a big bachelor dinner at this Manhattan restaurant a long time ago, and the shadiest thing I ever saw happened:

The server started pouring water out of Fiji bottles, and no one asked for bottled water. She didn't leave the bottles on the table, would pour a glass, and disappear. Reappear with a full bottle when someone asked for another glass, or needed a refill. We were doing shots, being a loud, I am sure she figured no one would notice. My buddy, a notorious cheapskate, noticed. He kind of whispered to me, 'check out the server with the water'. I watched, and she left with an almost full bottle, and returned with a full one.

I asked for a manager, and tore him a new one. The bottles were $12 a piece, she had put 9 of them on the tab already (party of 8 or 10). I had asked for a copy of the bill before they knew why we were upset. I explained to him what was going on, where I worked (3 star restaurant), and who I would tell this story to if they didn't do the right thing.

They wound up removing all the water, comping out appetizers, and sending out shots, but I still saw the story in the Wall Street Journal months later, so they must have been pulling it forever.

Yep, pretty standard stuff unfortunately for some hospitality employees out there. Now imagine a party of 50 and $60 bottles of wine that were going to be charged for no reason whatsoever. And some people wonder how servers can earn 6 figures a year. That's one way to do it, sadly.

 

[RUSF18]

I bet the manager who threw out the "we won't take the threat of a negative story" bull#### is banging the waitress.

 

[jon_mx]

I bet the manager who threw out the "we won't take the threat of a negative story" bull#### is banging the waitress.

I am guessing both will be out of a job soon.

 

[jfranco77]

What are you expecting to pay?

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.

So the more I think about this, it doesn't sound like this is a restaurant where everyone drops 4 or 5k on dinner. So no way should the sommelier open that wine before double-checking with the customer. Dear sir, are you really sure you want this $4k wine you're about to drink?

And probably no way should the manager let the sommelier open this 4k bottle of wine before he verifies the credit of the person who's paying for it.

Maybe at the French Laundry you don't do those things but you probably should at the Bobby Flay Steakhouse.

 

[Rick James]

y'all are talking about Bobby Flay taking a publicity hit, but what are the odds that he's actually aware of this problem? You think he's really that involved?

 

[massraider]

In fairness:

The guy had the wine list, the server pointed to the wine, and the server and somm both verified the wine.

The server used that phrasing to soften the blow of the price, but I really doubt she was trying to make everyone think it was 37 dollars. Recommending a wine that expensive was the real questionable part.

Not for nothing, you have the wine list, the server points to the wine......customers have the menu for a reason.

There is a fine line between softening the blow and being misleading. A waiter/waitress that has the balls to suggest a $3750 bottle of wine is in all likelihood being misleading. The customer pointed out he could not read the menu, which is why he asked for the price. You can't fall back on that.

If the customer did point out he couldn't read the menu, I totally agree with you.

There's nothing anywhere that says he pointed that out to anyone at the restaurant.

From the original article:

"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.'"

 

[massraider]

What are you expecting to pay?

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.

So the more I think about this, it doesn't sound like this is a restaurant where everyone drops 4 or 5k on dinner. So no way should the sommelier open that wine before double-checking with the customer. Dear sir, are you really sure you want this $4k wine you're about to drink?

And probably no way should the manager let the sommelier open this 4k bottle of wine before he verifies the credit of the person who's paying for it.

Maybe at the French Laundry you don't do those things but you probably should at the Bobby Flay Steakhouse.

The somm did verify the wine.

He didn't repeat the price, because no somm would ever do that.

 

[RUSF18]

In fairness:

The guy had the wine list, the server pointed to the wine, and the server and somm both verified the wine.

The server used that phrasing to soften the blow of the price, but I really doubt she was trying to make everyone think it was 37 dollars. Recommending a wine that expensive was the real questionable part.

Not for nothing, you have the wine list, the server points to the wine......customers have the menu for a reason.

There is a fine line between softening the blow and being misleading. A waiter/waitress that has the balls to suggest a $3750 bottle of wine is in all likelihood being misleading. The customer pointed out he could not read the menu, which is why he asked for the price. You can't fall back on that.

If the customer did point out he couldn't read the menu, I totally agree with you.

There's nothing anywhere that says he pointed that out to anyone at the restaurant.

From the original article:

"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.'"

While I agree with you that he didn't explicitly tell her he couldn't see the menu in that quote, if you're also taking everything else he said at face value...he asked for "something decent" to which she pointed at a $3750 bottle of wine.

 

[jon_mx]

In fairness:

The guy had the wine list, the server pointed to the wine, and the server and somm both verified the wine.

The server used that phrasing to soften the blow of the price, but I really doubt she was trying to make everyone think it was 37 dollars. Recommending a wine that expensive was the real questionable part.

Not for nothing, you have the wine list, the server points to the wine......customers have the menu for a reason.

There is a fine line between softening the blow and being misleading. A waiter/waitress that has the balls to suggest a $3750 bottle of wine is in all likelihood being misleading. The customer pointed out he could not read the menu, which is why he asked for the price. You can't fall back on that.

If the customer did point out he couldn't read the menu, I totally agree with you.

There's nothing anywhere that says he pointed that out to anyone at the restaurant.

From the original article:

"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.'"

Why on earth would he ask her the price if he could read the menu?

 

[massraider]

In fairness:

The guy had the wine list, the server pointed to the wine, and the server and somm both verified the wine.

The server used that phrasing to soften the blow of the price, but I really doubt she was trying to make everyone think it was 37 dollars. Recommending a wine that expensive was the real questionable part.

Not for nothing, you have the wine list, the server points to the wine......customers have the menu for a reason.

There is a fine line between softening the blow and being misleading. A waiter/waitress that has the balls to suggest a $3750 bottle of wine is in all likelihood being misleading. The customer pointed out he could not read the menu, which is why he asked for the price. You can't fall back on that.

If the customer did point out he couldn't read the menu, I totally agree with you.

There's nothing anywhere that says he pointed that out to anyone at the restaurant.

From the original article:

"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.'"

Why on earth would he ask her the price if he could read the menu?

I dunno, but 'assuming' is what got the server in trouble here, so maybe we shouldn't 'assume' things, like the guy said he couldn't read the menu. Which he didn't.

Look, the server was wrong. Wrong to recommend a bottle that big.

But unless someone believes the server was trying to pass off the wine as $37.50, the guy/party holds a little responsibly here.

 

[cstu]

"I asked the waitress if she could recommend something decent because I don't have experience with wine,"

If this is true then you don't offer someone a $4k bottle of wine.

 

[gianmarco]

In fairness:

The guy had the wine list, the server pointed to the wine, and the server and somm both verified the wine.

The server used that phrasing to soften the blow of the price, but I really doubt she was trying to make everyone think it was 37 dollars. Recommending a wine that expensive was the real questionable part.

Not for nothing, you have the wine list, the server points to the wine......customers have the menu for a reason.

There is a fine line between softening the blow and being misleading. A waiter/waitress that has the balls to suggest a $3750 bottle of wine is in all likelihood being misleading. The customer pointed out he could not read the menu, which is why he asked for the price. You can't fall back on that.

If the customer did point out he couldn't read the menu, I totally agree with you.

There's nothing anywhere that says he pointed that out to anyone at the restaurant.

From the original article:

"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.'"

Why on earth would he ask her the price if he could read the menu?

I dunno, but 'assuming' is what got the server in trouble here, so maybe we shouldn't 'assume' things, like the guy said he couldn't read the menu. Which he didn't.

Look, the server was wrong. Wrong to recommend a bottle that big.

But unless someone believes the server was trying to pass off the wine as $37.50, the guy/party holds a little responsibly here.

I think that's exactly what the server was trying to do.

 

[cstu]

I dunno, but 'assuming' is what got the server in trouble here, so maybe we shouldn't 'assume' things, like the guy said he couldn't read the menu. Which he didn't.

Look, the server was wrong. Wrong to recommend a bottle that big.

But unless someone believes the server was trying to pass off the wine as $37.50, the guy/party holds a little responsibly here.

That is ridiculous. No one is going to expect a wine recommendation to be a $3750 bottle.

 

[cstu]

Plain and simply, the server committed fraud.

 

[culdeus]

Plain and simply, the server committed fraud.

agree

 

[gianmarco]

I'd love for them to take this to Judge Judy.

 

[cstu]

What are you expecting to pay?

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.

So the more I think about this, it doesn't sound like this is a restaurant where everyone drops 4 or 5k on dinner. So no way should the sommelier open that wine before double-checking with the customer. Dear sir, are you really sure you want this $4k wine you're about to drink?

And probably no way should the manager let the sommelier open this 4k bottle of wine before he verifies the credit of the person who's paying for it.

Maybe at the French Laundry you don't do those things but you probably should at the Bobby Flay Steakhouse.

The somm did verify the wine.

He didn't repeat the price, because no somm would ever do that.

No somm would ever call a $3750 bottle "thirty seven fifty".

 

[massraider]

I think that's exactly what the server was trying to do.

I don't, only because what server would ever think that wouldn't come back to bite them?

I think the server was trying to pump the bill, recommending a crazy expensive wine, and is pretty much inexcusable.

 

[massraider]

What are you expecting to pay?

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.

So the more I think about this, it doesn't sound like this is a restaurant where everyone drops 4 or 5k on dinner. So no way should the sommelier open that wine before double-checking with the customer. Dear sir, are you really sure you want this $4k wine you're about to drink?

And probably no way should the manager let the sommelier open this 4k bottle of wine before he verifies the credit of the person who's paying for it.

Maybe at the French Laundry you don't do those things but you probably should at the Bobby Flay Steakhouse.

The somm did verify the wine.

He didn't repeat the price, because no somm would ever do that.

No somm would ever call a $3750 bottle "thirty seven fifty".

umm, OK? Not sure what that has to do with my post.

 

[cstu]

y'all are talking about Bobby Flay taking a publicity hit, but what are the odds that he's actually aware of this problem? You think he's really that involved?

If I was Flay, the second I heard about it I would have called the manager and ordered him to refund the guy's credit card. Then I would have called the guy personally and offered him a free meal, including a 'decent' bottle of wine.

 

[VA703]

bobby flay sucks anywho

 

[cstu]

I think that's exactly what the server was trying to do.

I don't, only because what server would ever think that wouldn't come back to bite them?

I think the server was trying to pump the bill, recommending a crazy expensive wine, and is pretty much inexcusable.

Someone tells you they don't know anything about wine and you offer them a $4k wine only an expert could differentiate from a $100 bottle and you don't think it's fraud?

 

[cstu]

The somm did verify the wine.

He didn't repeat the price, because no somm would ever do that.

No somm would ever call a $3750 bottle "thirty seven fifty".

umm, OK? Not sure what that has to do with my post.

You said the somm identified the price and he didn't.

 

[massraider]

I think that's exactly what the server was trying to do.

I don't, only because what server would ever think that wouldn't come back to bite them?

I think the server was trying to pump the bill, recommending a crazy expensive wine, and is pretty much inexcusable.

Someone tells you they don't know anything about wine and you offer them a $4k wine only an expert could differentiate from a $100 bottle and you don't think it's fraud?

I say pretty much inexcusable, you say fraud.

If I agree to fraud, will you lower your voice?