to add to that list...it is cheaper to maintain one menu, saves space at tables, and wait staff never have to remember to grab all the different menus.

I would rather ALL drink lists be on the same menu as the food. It's annoying to handle two menus and pass that one around to people at the table.

I like the drink menu option (whether all in one or not.) Since I do not have a 'standard drink' that I always order, I like having something to give me a suggestion. Often times it will prompt me to order something new and different (It's how I found that I like Mojitos...)

As the token teetotaller here, when I see alcoholic drinks on a menu, it gives me the impression that the restaurant hopes I will become drunk before tasting their food. It also makes the menu look more static and corporate.

It's funny you would bring this up, because about a week ago we were in the Austin Grill in Canton (I know, I know -- I don't like that place very much. We end up in there like once a year, since we live just up the street -- sometimes I have a craving for guac and it's just the quickest way to get it) and the new menu had no drink list on it anymore. That place used to have a long list of flavored margaritas, other cocktails (Texas Tea -- my boyfriend's favorite) and beers/wines. My boyfriend asked for the drink list, and the server said, "Let me see if I can get one for you." He walked over to the hostess stand and asked for one, and we saw the hostess shaking her head. The server returned and said, "We can't give out the drink menu anymore. It's against our corporate policy."
What could possibly be the motivation for this "corporate policy?" Why would you want to secretly offer expensive cocktails that no one can order because they're a secret? We said, "Do you still offer Texas Tea?" And the server said, "Sure!" and ran off to get one. Very bizarre.

Probably for the same reason you have to be 21 to learn the history of Campari on their web site. Perhaps their coporate goons have decided that if minors even see the words that describe drinks that will force them into a life of underage drinking. First we kill all the lawyers.

Lissa, you may be a tea-totaller, but you will never be a token anything. I was thinking of you today when I read that Northampton was chosen as best college town in the country.

Hamp? Not unless it has changed a lot. 20 years ago, Amherst was much, much cooler. I wonder if they still have the Early Music Festival and the Teddy Bear Festival?

Ahhh, to go back to the old "shot and beer" places where the food menu was limited to pickled eggs and sausage sticks.

Oh who am I kidding, I love the fancy cocktails. Blueberry Mojito, why I'd love one.

Blueberry Mojito

I'm hoping you made that one up.

Lissa, right (as usual--it's Monday here).

This article, "On Land Rich With Colleges and Cows, Amherst,
Mass., Finally Gets Its Due" is available online at this
address:

http://chronicle.com/temp/email2.php?id=W4JS5sgqtqjv6QgVk62chSqCf4ppxHfj

I'm fairly certain that XS in Mount Vernon serves a blueberry mojito.

Shay's Rebellion actually started in Pelham, not Amherst, but Amherst is still probably the coolest place I've lived. I'm just a bit too much of a city girl to stay, I guess.

As a Miami Beach wannabe, I have to say, that blueberry mojitos are just wrong!

Oh, I'm sure your New England college towns have their charm, but they're no Farmville, Virginia. Do those towns have a Walmart and a Rose's. I bet not.

Amherst has a Target, and there's a Walmart about three minutes from downtown Northampton.

Blueberry Mojito

I'm hoping you made that one up.

I had a frined who drank something blue. It was in a martini glass. I don't know what it was because I just pretended it wasn't happening.

"...when I see alcoholic drinks on a menu, it gives me the impression that the restaurant hopes I will become drunk before tasting their food"

I don't understand this statement. Just becasue something is listed as an option, that means that the restaraunt is forcing you to (or hoping you will) partake?

I generally do not order appetizers unless I am with a large group and will be sharing because I generally can't finish an entire entree anyway. Does that mean I should be offended that they are listed for those that do like appetizers? Should I feel the restaraunt is forcing something on me?

I don't mean to be picking on you, Lissa. But I've seen similar statements from you before regarding alcohol, and I just don't understand it. If you don't or can't drink alcohol, there is nothing wrong with that. But the fact that other do, and restaraunts cater to those people, should not be seen as afront to you.

Beav, I don't care if folks drink. I'm not sure what comments you mean, because I think all I've said is that I prefer a restaurant focus on food rather than on drinks.

You mean you've never been to a place with Sysco frozen meals and fancy drinks? They are all over suburbs.

bout time some of the regulars get beat down

Interesting comment since by your IP address you're a regular. :-) EL

Anonymous, you are always welcome to take me down a rung or two. I frequently deserve it, and I love a good discussion.

Interesting comment since by your IP address you're a regular. :-) EL

LOL. Let the beating begin then.

EL, just of curiosity, how many of our IP addresses have you committed to memory.

I don't know if I like this IP address tracking thing.

Lissa/Hal: is there a way to block the IP address? Or get some proxy IP address like a mail box at those mail box stores?

IP address logging when you visit web pages, especially when you comment on them, is pretty much standard.

Yes, Bucky, you can proxy when visiting websites. It does tend to slow things down. If you really want to be safe, look at Tor.

Yes Bucky, your IP is ALWAYS known everywhere you go. That's how we know you work at Frontier Air in Denver. Lipstick traces, baby. Kiss me, know me. Know me, know you.

Ha ha ha. Hoisted on your own petard Bucky. I guess you are Anonymous, otherwise why doth you protest? LOL.

Let your freak flag fly brotherman

Lavelle Jakobson, Son of Jakob,

Please, pretty please, do not pick on Bucky.

Any one of us could be anonymous.

Yes, anyone of us could be Anonymous, I nearly was in a previous post since I guess the "Remember personal info?" is not working for me and I have to add my info each time.

I did not mean my comment to be a "beat down". Nor do I feel oone was warranted. I was merely stating that I don't understand how having drinks on the regular menu (particularly at one of those static chain restaraunts) meant they hoped you got drunk.

it might only be interpreted that way by someone incapable of drinking responsibly.

unvelievaboh, I was gonna say something along those lines, decided not to, but now that you broke the ice... :)

For me alcohol is not sinister or suspect, but a nice accompaniment to enjoying life. Never in a million years would it occur to me to see drinks listed on a menu, a drink list, a wall, anywhere, and think "hmmm, somebody is trying to get me to get drunk", any more than seeing a dessert list would make me think somebody was trying to make me fat. Sure they want to sell you things, but to think they're trying to deliberately cloud your mind is an odd thought to have. I mean, you either want what they're advertising or not, regardless of where the ad is placed. IMO, of course!

You may have a point there, unbelievaboh. Maybe.

This thread reminds of a mandatory parent and child drug and alcohol evening when our younger son was in middle school. One mother there was absolutely convinced that anyone who admitted to drinking any alcoholic beverage was an alcoholic. Impossible to have a civil conversation with some people.

Good point Pokey, but everytime I see a plumber I want to do crack.

Eve, that drink might've been a Blue Hawaii, made with blue Curacao. I haven't had one in years, but I seem to remember it was delicious. Don't hate it because it's blue.