At what point did restaurant portions get so small and so expensive?
By @codyy · Food
I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. My boyfriend and I went out to a nice-ish place last night and the plate was half empty for $40. It's happening everywhere.
The full story
I know this is going to make me sound like an old man yelling at a cloud, but I just don't get it anymore. I remember when going out to eat felt like a real treat, something special, and you left feeling full and happy. Now it feels like a competition to see who can serve the least amount of food for the most amount of money. My boyfriend and I went to this place that everyone's been talking about. It was nice, the lighting was dim, you know the type. I ordered a pasta dish that was $38. When it came out, I genuinely thought it was an appetizer portion. I'm not exaggerating, there were maybe eight pieces of ravioli on a giant plate. My boyfriend got a chicken dish that was a single, small breast of chicken on a smear of something green for over $40. We are not big people, we don't eat enormous amounts, but this was just comical. After we finished, the waiter asked how everything was and I was honest. I said, 'The flavor was lovely, but the portions felt incredibly small for the price.' My boyfriend was mortified, kicking me under the table. The waiter got a little stiff and just said 'That's our standard portioning' and walked away. My boyfriend said I embarrassed him and that I should have just kept my mouth shut because that's 'how fine dining is'. I don't think a neighborhood restaurant with a 4.4 on a place nearby counts as 'fine dining,' and even if it did, since when does 'fine dining' mean leaving hungry? He thinks I'm being cheap and out of touch, but I think it's ridiculous that you can spend over $100 on dinner for two and have to stop for a slice of pizza on the way home. I feel like this is a new thing, this trend of 'deconstructed' or 'minimalist' food that's just an excuse to rip people off. I'd rather go to a diner and get a huge, delicious plate of food for $15 than go back to one of these fancy, expensive, empty-plate places again.
How people voted
- Valid Take — 29% (12 votes)
- I’m Torn — 49% (20 votes)
- Bad Take — 22% (9 votes)
Readers say “I’m Torn” (49%) — 41 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@cam — Good for you for saying something! It's gotten out of control, and more people should speak up. Your boyfriend should have backed you up.
@maemm — I mean, he's not wrong. It's 'fine dining.' You don't go there to get stuffed, you go for the experience and the artistry of the food.
@quinnhm — lmao
@liamfr — my bf took me to a place like this for my birthday and i swear the main course was one single scallop. i was so mad lol
@reesee — your bf is the problem not the pasta
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