I've always split food at restaurants, not only because of cost concerns, but because of room-in-stomach considerations: a person my size does not need her own entree, appetizer and dessert. Or, given the portion sizes at many American restaurants, even her own entree. Now, an article in Raleigh's The News & Observer discusses how, because of the recession, splitting food is becoming ubiquitous even in the kind of upscale restaurants where hamburgers go for $18. David Pogrebin, general manager of the French restaurant Brasserie in New York, says he's even seen three people splitting an ice tea with free refills. The owner of a Raleigh barbecue restaurant says he'll often have two people come in to split a $3 dollar, four wing appetizers. And drink water. Some restaurateurs will assess a small splitting fee, to recoup some of their losses.
I sometimes do feel a little guilty if I come in to a restaurant during dinner and just want an appetizer or to split a single entree with my companion, but I usually assuage my guilt by leaving a decent tip.
Do you split dishes more often these days? Do you ever get static from wait staff?
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