It's no secret that most restaurants are overfeeding us, yet many of us continue to order our own appetizers, entrees, and desserts. But now that people are penny-pinching every chance they get, David Pogrebin, general manager of Brasserie in New York, says people are splitting things like they never have before.
Being frugal is the name of the game these days, so even if you weren't a fan of sharing food before, would you now that you're watching your pocketbook more closely?
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My boyfriend and I always share food. Eating is more fun that way! But, we do order two entrees because he can eat a LOT of food!
1This is something we have always done...when we go to pricier restaurants we'll share a couple appetizers, an entree and dessert. Its almost always enough food for us, and more times than not, the restaurant is happy to do it. We've even ordered an entree to share and they've brought it out on two separate plates, which was quite a surprise. Of course, we don't do this all the time but just at especially expensive places.
2LoveSarah, I'm with you. My bf and I share stuff but he has to get his own entree because he eats way more food than me (well, he's also like a foot taller than me so its no surprise). Usually we split an appetizer, have our own entrees (I take half of mine home) and split a dessert.
I've heard of places that charge you extra if you are sharing (I've been to places that say there is a "$X charge for sharing" right on the menu!)
3I don't see the problem.
4Some places do add a small fee for splitting a meal but it's still less than the cost of an entire separate entree. My bf and I always share appetizers and get our own entree. We don't go to any crazy expensive restaurants though. It's casual dining all the way for us and we split the cost.
5I think it is normal.
6My husband and I usually share an appetizer if we order one and we get our own entrees.I eat some of my dinner but almost always end up taking the rest of it home.
7My boyfriend and I always share an apptizer when we go out, sometimes we order two but we still share them both. When we order our main dish we order our own plates because we like different things. I agree with LoveSarah, sharing food can be a lot of fun with your guy, not only when you go out, but also at home!
8no. i don't go out to eat if i have to worry about the cost of the meal. how is that enjoyable? i go out to eat so i can relax and if i was worrying about the cost of what i was eating that would defeat the whole point of going.
i was just telling a friend the other day that when i save money at the grocery store with coupons, etc., i feel great. but the idea of using a coupon for a meal is too much, i'd rather stay home. not sure why that is.
9Definitely done this before and don't see why it would be an issue.
10sure why not. I never eat everything off my plate anyways.
11My husband and I split things all the time! I don't see the big deal.
12I don't, usually, unless my friends and I are at a place where everything is just too expensive and the portions are totally ridiculous.
The ones who are close friends tend to share meals, while others who are more loosely connected with the group will just order less or take the rest of it home for the next day.
I tend to be a person who orders less food [yay appetizer menu!] and/or takes the rest of it home. Why not stretch the dollar that way?
13We both get our own entrees but share with each other.
14It depends - I wouldn't mind sharing a meal at the local pizzeria on a weekday, especially if we were a bigger group. I don't know if it is the same in the USA, but in my home country restaurants make their money with drinks rather than food anyway.
But if it is a busy night or a more expensive restaurant, I find it inappropriate to just order one meal.
15I've always shared food with friends, the fiance, my family. The recession has nothing to do with my love of splitting dishes. That way, you get more variety. Love it!
16My husband and i have been trying to lose weight for a long time then we read a portion study.. the average american dish at a restrurant is MORE then a whole family eats in asia!! so we split dishes at resturants, and find that we are just as full when we leave but feeling healthy we take the money we would have spent and put it in our big wedding savings.!
17My hubby is so not a food sharer. He's so bad that when I offer him a taste of mine he will only take a teeny-tiny bite and then will not offer me a bite of his.
18If that's what you both want to do, then why not?? I'd personally rather my own meal, and I'm sure my husband would too, but it could work on occasion.
19Ditto lickety split! I love to eat but what's the point of going out if you're penny pinching? Just make a romantic meal at home and save yourself some real cash. Plus cooking something really good for my man usually scores me lots of brownie points.
When we do go out, we always sample each others' food though. He actually gets offended if I don't want to taste what he's gotten!
IMHO it's more appropriate to share at an el cheapo restaurant than somewhere nice & fancy. If you're going to a 4-star place, go to a 4-star place and ENJOY.
20Since I've always been a big "food sharer," it's really never an issue with me. My friends and I always split the appetizers and usually order less and just sample all around the table. Food fest!
21I always split a meal with my bf. We can't help it, we're both vegetarians and there is usually only one choice on the menu. Stupid texas.
22I think it's a great idea even if you aren't watching your dollars. Restaurants are serving waaay too much food and while it can be nice to have leftovers, it's not always practical to carry food around with you afterwards for who knows how long.
23my friends and I share food all the time. If we order Thai or tappas, we'll order 5 dishes and share.
With my bf, he usually eats a lot more than me, so it's economical as well as romantic to share. This way, I get to try different things, which wouldn't be financially viable if I didn't share - I just wouldn't eat enough!
24I don't mind unless it's cheesecake. I've gotten very quick with a spoon. Rap over the back of the knuckles if he tries to pinch a bit.
25It's no big deal.
26He knows I am going to steal his food, whatever he orders. =)
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