15 February 2009

Valentines Day rip off?

| Auntyem
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My son took his girlfriend out for Valentines Day dinner at Sage in Braddon.

When he booked the table he wasn’t told there was a $100 (per person) set menu for the night. Add to that three glasses of wine ($10 per glass) and one glass of water ($9 per glass) and the bill came to $239.

He texted me half way through the meal and asked that I keep some dinner warm because the set menu was extremely scant.

He didn’t complain because he didn’t want to ruin the night for his girlfriend – so he paid, came home and they both had more dinner here (even though she normally eats like a bird).

I don’t mind paying top dollar for a good night out – but hey, what a rip off.

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Pommy bastard said :

Those here appalled by the “Norwegian water” idiocy may enjoy this; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasani#United_Kingdom

That’s absolutely hilarious! (Thanks.)

Pommy bastard said :

Those here appalled by the “Norwegian water” idiocy may enjoy this; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasani#United_Kingdom

Whomever approved that slogan for use in the UK must have been working for pepsi. 🙂

Hey Openureyes, It seems a little odd that you would wait until November to write about a meal you had in February, even remembering details like the name of the water. You don’t by any chance have a vested interest. I agree with #48, why do we need Norwegian mineral water when we have perfect water here. Oh yeah so they can charge $9 and add 20000 food miles to the bill. I’ll boycott it just for that…

Pommy bastard5:12 pm 23 Nov 09

Those here appalled by the “Norwegian water” idiocy may enjoy this; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasani#United_Kingdom

Guys, you’ve got it all wrong.

The $9 bottle of water includes $8.50 worth of smug superiority, to distract from the fact that you’re drinking stale water that has been in storage in both Norwegian *and* Australian warehouses for several months before reaching your table.

I do like Sage. The food is always excellent and I’ve never gone hungry. I would go there again.

However, $9 for a bottle of mineral water … sorry. That is such a rip off. Note to Sage lady: try charging less for your imported Norwegian mineral water. It’s just plain old water in a bottle – it’s not from the fountain of youth or anything.

I’ve been to sage a few time’s under the new ownership and haven’t been disappointed yet. They’ve got a great desgustation menu thing where you can pick any dish on the regular alacarte menu and turn it into a 5 course degustation. like 5 deserts if you wanted it.

As for price, i’d say your son was incredibly naieve in thinking that he could go to a fine dining restaurant and not spend a few dollars. If he walked out hungry, try going to an all you can eat restaraunt next time. that will undoubtedly put on the right kind of atmostphere for valentines day.

The bottle of water includes a secret moron tax – $8 of the cost goes to the government, simply because you’re too stupid.

openureyes said :

I came across this topic when I wanted to post a comment about how great Sage Restaurant is.

My husband surpised me this year by taking me to Sage for valentines day. We had the $100 five course degustation menu and each dish was fantastic, and it included bread and salad. There was definately enough food for most people’s appetite any more would have been glutenous.

In regards to the water, we had a BOTTLE of Voss mineral water 800ml and it was $9. That was the charged price and very reasonable for water imported from Norway considering a bottle of Mt Franklin can cost around $4 in a sevice station where it is not served at your table like at Sage. The table next to us decided to go with tap water which was free.

If anyone is considering going out for a great meal I recommend trying Sage. There main course price is only $28 and is probably the nicest food in Canberra. It saddens me to think that a mother is writting this damning post because of her son’s complaint and it might damage a fantastic small business. Canberra needs more restaurants like this one.

So do we speak to you to make bookings?

I assume that a large part of the $9 goes to pay for the embedded carbon footprint of that water?

Norwegian bottled water – you know, the one that has the lovely Chernobyl green after-glow to it, with heavy metals and acid rain from the glaciers leaching into it.

Christ there are some shallow people around…..

Thoroughly Smashed10:20 am 23 Nov 09

Ignoring the comical absurdity of importing water from Norway:

openureyes said :

Canberra needs more restaurants like this one.

More restaurants that, according to the OP, gouge their customers horribly? No, I’m fairly sure we don’t need more of them.

colourful sydney racing identity10:14 am 23 Nov 09

I love it when a newbie leaps to the defence of a business that has been bagged out on the RiotAct – it always looks so genuine.

A couple of tips for younger players.

1) If a business you have been associated with has been bagged, don’t jump to it’s defence nine months later – it only gives the story currency.

2) Don’t defend the indefensible. $9 for a bottle of water is not ‘very reasonabe’.

3) Submit a few other posts first, it looks less suspicious than a glowing review by a newbie.

4) Don’t over do it. I have some favourite places to eat but none of them have ‘the nicest food in Canberra’. Be a little less glowing.

5) Don’t mention the business name in each paragraph – it reads like an advertorial

6) Don’t play the “poor business owner” card – it smacks of a personal interest.

Jim Jones said :

openureyes said :

In regards to the water, we had a BOTTLE of Voss mineral water 800ml and it was $9. That was the charged price and very reasonable for water imported from Norway

Out of interest, how is Norwegian water better than tap water?

Does it make you feel like a Viking?

Yep, makes you horny.

openureyes said :

In regards to the water, we had a BOTTLE of Voss mineral water 800ml and it was $9. That was the charged price and very reasonable for water imported from Norway

Out of interest, how is Norwegian water better than tap water?

Does it make you feel like a Viking?

megaJames said :

On a out-of-Canberra note… if you are ever in Brisbane and want an awesome breakfast then check out the buffet at the Sofitel in Anzac Square. The only thing that’s ever come close to it for me was the Renaissance hotel in Hong Kong. I’ve stayed at pretty much every 5-star hotel in the country and that particular sofitel was the ultimate.

I’ll add to this with a recommendation for the breakfast buffet at Lebua in Bangkok. Best breakfast buffet I’ve ever been to, anywhere in the world.

justin heywood8:40 am 23 Nov 09

openureyes said :

….. we had a BOTTLE of Voss mineral water 800ml and it was $9. That was the charged price and very reasonable for water imported from Norway…..

Has the world gone completely mad? There is nothing reasonable about importing water from Norway, let alone patying $9.00 for it.

I came across this topic when I wanted to post a comment about how great Sage Restaurant is.

My husband surpised me this year by taking me to Sage for valentines day. We had the $100 five course degustation menu and each dish was fantastic, and it included bread and salad. There was definately enough food for most people’s appetite any more would have been glutenous.

In regards to the water, we had a BOTTLE of Voss mineral water 800ml and it was $9. That was the charged price and very reasonable for water imported from Norway considering a bottle of Mt Franklin can cost around $4 in a sevice station where it is not served at your table like at Sage. The table next to us decided to go with tap water which was free.

If anyone is considering going out for a great meal I recommend trying Sage. There main course price is only $28 and is probably the nicest food in Canberra. It saddens me to think that a mother is writting this damning post because of her son’s complaint and it might damage a fantastic small business. Canberra needs more restaurants like this one.

Auntyem said :

I wouldn’t mind knowing if your group have tried breakfast places – ones that can actually produce a good Eggs Benedict instead of a golf ball in watery foam drowning in packet or split hollandaise.

We are mostly part of the furniture at Cream on Sunday mornings for breakfast. It’s a little sad/cool when your coffees (or hot choc in my case) arrives at your table before the person taking your order 🙂

I don’t know if we just eat out too much and have ruined it for ourselves but we can’t seem to find many good breakfast places around Civic. There are plenty of bad ones… like the cafe next door to Gus’s, Cafe Essen I think, was the all time shocker for me. I watched them heat up the pre-cooked egg in the microwave! YUK! Never been back again. We have tried to get into the organic place down at New Acton but it’s always full when we get there so still have to try that. We have also ventured out to Rodney’s at Pialligo for breakfast a couple of times and that’s pretty nice on an autumn morning.

On a out-of-Canberra note… if you are ever in Brisbane and want an awesome breakfast then check out the buffet at the Sofitel in Anzac Square. The only thing that’s ever come close to it for me was the Renaissance hotel in Hong Kong. I’ve stayed at pretty much every 5-star hotel in the country and that particular sofitel was the ultimate.

Great information James.

This is why I like this forum.

The son and girlfriend are going to try some of these places and so am I. We love Jimmy’s in Dickson (live lobster and snow crab) and are regulars there – never been disappointed. Sammy’s is great and serve an excellent San Choy Bow.

I wouldn’t mind knowing if your group have tried breakfast places – ones that can actually produce a good Eggs Benedict instead of a golf ball in watery foam drowning in packet or split hollandaise.

Great info James – especially for those of us who don’t eat out all that often (and therefore aren’t in ‘the know’)and are on the lookout for great places to eat. Thank you!

I found that very helpful, thanks megaJames!

: )

Hyatt all-you-can eat seafood use to be great value and quality. Haven’t been for a few years but I’m sure they still do it on Sat nights.

MrPC said :

You can’t picket from home. That’s merely a boycott. Boycotts are nowhere near as effective as pickets.

Not sure about Valentine’s Day cause I don’t do that but I’m part of a social group that drinks and eats out many times a week around Canberra and we get to see it all. There are definitely a few places we have boycotted as a group. We always go to a place at least three times before boycotting it in case it was a once off bad experience. These failed three or more times…

Milk & Honey – minimum 20-30 minutes to get a drink or coffee, then another 30-45 minutes to get food
Sage – rude staff, over priced and refused to allow own birthday cake, wouldn’t even let us pay ‘cake-age’
Tongue & Groove – rude staff, very slow bar service, what’s with the take a number and come back in 15 minutes for your cocktail!?!?
Wogamama – Gotta love this place – an $18 prawn dish that comes with three prawns and lots of noodles – dream on
Muddle Bar – not food related but give me a break – rude staff, expensive cocktails for the quantity you get and be quick to drink cause they’ll take your half finished glass from your hand

Now for some of the outstanding places we eat at very regularly…

Benchmark – go Tasso – we treat it like the local cafe but it’s really fine dining
Cream – best dark hot choc and seafood linguine ever
Sammy’s – it’s an institution!
ReJ (in West Row) – pretty newish and still a secret, can be a little slow to get food but it’s good cafe food and good prices
Jimmy’s (Dickson) – great home made style Chinese
Chairman and Yip – a little dated now but still excellent food (a little on the pricey side)
Finally, some regular good bars in Civic – Hippo, Kremlin Bar and Monkey Bar when you want get silly and dance

Hope this helps others 🙂

Bah, humbug!

I made a decision several years ago to avoid the overcharging of restaurants on Valentines Day and go out to dinner the day before or day after. I can’t stand the nauseatingly neat rows of tables set for two, and restaurants ready to rip people off for huge numbers of courses at big prices. Why would you be more hungry that night than any other? It’s worth shopping around though and perhaps go to somewhere out in the ‘burbs. Wouldn’t it be sad if one’s birthday fell on Valentines Day; it’d make it very awkward to have a birthday dinner out with friends, surrounded by gooey couples who are forced to buy into the ‘I have to love you extra much on this day’ message.

I do hope your son’s girlfriend paid her share though.

transaustralia said :

Perhaps even better, make your sentiments known when you are served the meal.

But not if until you have received EVERYTHING that you have ordered. I would not recommend eating anything that comes out after you have complained… think Coogee bay hotel.

speaking to gary at indian affair – who doesn’t charge for water regardless….

he went the extra mile for a client in deep tuggeranong, apparently they ordered a mild serving, takeaway, but received a medium instead. he sent one of his staff to personally deliver their correct meal, by way of an apology.

We had indian food for our valentines night meal. It was as good as expected.

Danman said :

I got home from hospital and drank my dinner.

pureed the dinner, or something far worse?

I can’t imagine how anyone can actually find Valentine’s Day romantic. I’m all for a bit of passion and excitement, but Valentine’s Day has to be the plastic cheese of romance.

I got take-away from the fortune cookie at Melba shops. $32 of delightful food. Valentine’s day is another consumeristic scam.

He should clearly stick to all you can eat buffets. So should you.

I got home from hospital and drank my dinner.

Four of us went to the Plaka in Mawson. We all had garlic & herb bread, entree’s, mains + 2 bottles of wine + a couple of gin & tonics and the total a mere $258 :):):):):)

Went to Edgar’s in Ainslie for tea. The place was nearly empty. Had a good meal for 2 which came in under $50.

I won’t be bothering to check out Sage.

Yeah, well I reckon any establishment that think it’s a good idea to charge nine bucks for a glass of water should be known locally as “Shylock” regardless of what they print on their shingle.

It is my understanding that:

Places that serve alcohol have to give water for free.
Places that do not serve alcohol CAN give water for free but they are not legally obliged to.

I’m pretty sure that water must be made available free of charge and easily accessible where alcohol is served. May be this was a case of “would you like water with your meal” and the customer accepted but didn’t specify tap water.
With all respect to Auntyem and her son, it seems like a bit of naivety on their behalf but also poor form on the restaurant’s part for not being upfront.

Woody Mann-Caruso10:36 pm 15 Feb 09

we were going to go to Sage. But not now.

Snap. People power!

Vic Bitterman10:04 pm 15 Feb 09

youami said :

The water is poor form. Licensed restaurants I do believe by law must supply tap water for free.

I asked for some water at Mcdonalds Erindale a few months back and was refused. I was told that I’d had to buy a coke, but they could instead fill it with tap water instead.

It wasn’t the principle… When I ordered some dinner, I was simply thirsty and I wanted water, and they had no bottles of water available. I would have happily bought a bottle of water. But to no avail. Next step was for some tap water, but in order to get that, I’d need to pay for a soft drink and they could fill it with tap water.

Holden Caulfield9:14 pm 15 Feb 09

We had Dominos pizza, haha. It cost us $23 and was just what we expected.

If the restaurant is serving alcohol and your son and prospective daughter in law was also drinking water, they must under the Responsible Service of Alcohol legislation; provide free tap water.

So he could go back, threatening to bring Liquor Licensing down on them and get $9 back.

But yes… big big rip off.

1) Valentine’s Day is a joke, not worth buying cards/meals/flowers unless you’re a sucker.
2) Sage is a herb, that somehow sticks around in Braddon despite being rotten.

Another reason for not doing anything for the stupid day.. do it a week later when everything is normally priced.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy8:25 pm 15 Feb 09

I have 11 business associates in town for a gathering next week, and we were going to go to Sage. But not now.

transaustralia8:06 pm 15 Feb 09

Refuse to pay, explain politely that you are not satisfied with the meal. Perhaps even better, make your sentiments known when you are served the meal. If they make a scene about it with the law, then you can take it up with consumer affairs. I would do the same.

Do restaurants charge you when you flush their toilets? No. I hope what he got was bottled water.

You can’t picket from home. That’s merely a boycott. Boycotts are nowhere near as effective as pickets.

Isn’t Benchmark famous for not paying its suppliers?

oh and Auntyem, if you really want to give them a serve, get your son to rate them at:

http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/?action=venue&venue_url=sage_restaurant
and maybe even talk to SMH who had given them a Chef’s Hat.

[Note: this is for Auntyem as the ratings *should* be legitimate] 🙂

The water is poor form. Licensed restaurants I do believe by law must supply tap water for free. And the best advertising is a post on RiotACT to suggest that Sage is a rip-off! Looks like they will lose some business. I agree with others, try Benchmark and also give Ginger Room a shot.

Go see Tasso at Benchmark for sure, .. probably the nicest food i’ve had in Canberra before, and a wine list to die for.

Best bet is to choose your food, and get the staff to match the wines for you

i wondered why i was getting no traction: is the sign that wrong? 😉

may be i’ll just picket it from home…

You’re standing out front with a “prepare to be ripped off” / “Eating here? Find a good bankruptcy agent first!” type sign?

4pm Sunday doesn’t sound like an ideal time to picket a restaurant though. Friday or Saturday night would be better.

lanterne rooms was excellent; mrs astro and i enjoyed a shared entree, two mains, a shared dessert and a few glasses of delightful wine for a smidge over a hundred bucks and left with full bellies, memories of great friendly competent service and delicious fare.

again.

sound like sage sucks – i’m picketing it right now (sage advice, pc)

Why not picket the place a few times a month for the rest of the year..

Some great recommendations here.

I’ll tell him to try Benchmark next time.

Thanks all.

Benchmark was good when we went there about 3 months ago. You could go nuts on the wine menu there.

We hit Tongue and Groove, in the City, although didnt go the set menu as seafood tends to have me projectile vomit (thought I’d share). $90 had us stuffed, 3 courses, no wine though.

Woody Mann-Caruso12:57 pm 15 Feb 09

La Pasa in Civic had a Valentine’s Day dinner deal – I think it was a couple of entrees (one of them was duck pancakes), a Singapore Sling or glass of house wine, two mains, three sides and dessert – $99 for 2.

There is a law on charging for water. Tap water has to be free. Bottle water can be charged, but if they didn’t actually show the water coming from an unopened bottle, he should have questioned the $9.

Bah. I was at the Pot Belly, then the Basement. It was fairly quiet, leading me to believe many people go out to restaurants etc on Valentine’s Day. Given the demand, it’s no wonder prices are higher. But that’s no excuse for a blatant rip-off.

Pommy bastard11:24 am 15 Feb 09

This is one of the reasons I find RiotAct so useful, local reviews and recommendations.

Caf – Sage had different owners on Feb 14 last year.

We were invited to Sage late last year by some friends.
It was shocking. Poor rookie service and the wine list was not stocked (pet hate).
We tried this Flavours thing, which was marketed as a DIY degustation $12 per dish; ended up being 2 mouthfuls of food per course – we had 5 – and paid $60 each + wine to leave hungry and feeling duped. They were also pitching Wagyu beef which Im sure was rump steak. To their credit, the creme brulee dessert was nice.

Wonder what Consumer Affairs would think of all this? $100 per head to leave hungry – $9 for water…

Next time, tell your son to try Benchmark. I haven’t been there in a while but they are usually very good and do nice special occasion dinners for around $100 with wine.

I did the Valentine’s Day degustation menu at Sage last year (I was told when I booked that that’s what they were doing, though). I found it excellent – from memory I think it was about $120 for 7 courses with a matched glass of wine with each one, or $90ish without the wine. I’m sure it helps if you know what you’re getting into beforehand though.

Prices are always up on Valentine’s Day.

Next year, have him celebrate it either the day before or the day after – it’s really not an event that deserves a ‘day’ anyway. You should show the person that you love that you love them everyday.

$9.00 for a glass of water? There oughta be a law ….

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