Tapas Adela's drink menu puzzles me
In the past, we've talked about whether it's kosher or not for a bar to list cocktail prices.
My stance has always been, put the drink prices on the drink menu.
Saturday night, Amie, some friends and I went to Tapas Adela, the semi-new small plates spot in Fells Point run by the Mezze/Meli/Kali's Court conglomerate.
The meal was just fine, and the wine list had some enticing options. But the cocktail menu made me scratch my head.
It listed drink prices for glasses of wine, as well as tequilas and a few other drinks.
But it didn't list prices for certain cocktails or martinis.
About half the drinks had prices, and half did not ...
If you're going to list prices, list all the prices or don't list any. Defecate or abdicate, if you will. None of this halfway stuff -- it's just annoying. Then you have to ask the server how much it costs, and sometimes the server has to ask the bar manager and check back with you, yadda yadda yadda.
I can't think of any other Baltimore restaurants or bars where I've seen this. Can you?
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
While this is unusual and somewhat inconvenient, it makes perfect sense in that a Guinness is a Guinness, a Kendall Jackson is a Kendall Jackson, but not all cocktails are created equal.
It is the same on many food menus, where the price of beef or chicken is set, but the price of seafood can vary.
Posted by: The Baltimore Chop | March 8, 2010 11:33 AM
This is SUCH a pet peeve of mine!!!! I don't get why they can't list a price - it would probably get more people to order those drinks! I HATE asking the price for things, I think it's because I don't want people to think I'm cheap. But you know what? I AM cheap, so I like to know the price of everything before I consider ordering it! If there's no price, I automatically rule it out. Sad but true.
Posted by: Nakiya | March 8, 2010 12:48 PM
I do the same thing. No price, no purchase.
Posted by: Another Aaron | March 8, 2010 1:08 PM
I'm suspicious of most cocktails in general if they have more then two ingredients. I third the motion.. prices, please. If i'm drinking a fifteen dollar martini, i'd like to know.
Posted by: Meekrat | March 8, 2010 1:21 PM
The Baltimore Chop -- really? I understand the price going up and down for happy hours and such, but does the price of a cocktail really fluctuate?
Nakiya, I think many -- if not most -- Baltimoreans feel the same way.
Meekrat, I don't mind cocktails with a lot of moving parts. But you're right, no one except the uber rich wants to be shocked by hidden drink prices. That's almost as bad as hidden fees!
Posted by: Sam Sessa | March 8, 2010 1:59 PM
Most meaning "new" cocktails.. I know what a mimosa, a bloody mary, a Manhattan, or a Harvey Wallbanger should taste like, but i'm at a lose for exactly what most "new" cocktail should look/ taste like. Nothing like ordering a new drink that tastes like alcohol infused aardvark sweat and finding out it's 9 bucks.
Posted by: Meekrat | March 9, 2010 10:00 AM
Chilled monkey brains cosmo, anyone?
Posted by: Sam Sessa | March 9, 2010 10:07 AM
Am i really expecting too much by asking that servers be able to recall prices of listed cocktails - especially when they're on a menu and there are only 5 or 6 cocktails!!?? bartenders - the same. And please, spare me any poo- poohing - servers when they have to go and ask the price - it's your job - learn it!! These places really aren't that fancy any way.
Posted by: Dave | March 9, 2010 11:36 AM