Totally agree! Many good restaurants don’t state the price of specials, you have to ask them for the price. I wouldn’t criticize the Chop House for something that is a standard practice in many good restaurants. You should have asked the price.

Did you as for a table for 6?

Sounds like a decent price. Thanks for the tip. We always have a nice time getting apps and drinks at the outdoor bar.

I usually ask the prices but feel uncomfortable doing so...embarrassed. Or, I just don’t order it if they don’t tell the price. Thx for the info.

Who orders withput asking prices.

Yup, you really should have asked the price. A day isn't wasted if you learn something. So, you had a nice anniversary dinner and you learned something......always ask the price of the "specials".

Your anniversary isn’t worth $43 ???

Chop House Grouper
 

Your meal also included Shrimp or Scallops basically two entrees, did you think they were added free of charge?

Sounds like you got chopped.

I'm at a restaurant, not a garage sale. I shouldn't have to ask.

My husband and I went to the Chop House about a week ago to celebrate a special day. Waiter told us right away about their special that night. A 9 ounce filet mignon and 6 ounce lobster tail with 2 sides for $55 each. Price given upfront. It was devine. Perfectly cooked. If he had not told us the price we would have asked. We have no regrets. You get what you pay for. How many special days do we have left to celebrate in this life?

Grouper is always market price in Florida. Most times it is more expensive than steak, if it is really grouper.

Same thing happened to me at a restaurant in Indianapolis. They had a lake perch fish and chips which was quite expensive for a special. We continued to go there because of the live music but I never ordered fish and chips again. I did find that I could order a grouper sandwich instead of the grouper dinner and save $10. Same fish just smaller portion and only 1 side. If you really like the place you can look for other ways to save.

if you order a special any where, with few exceptions, the price is not indicated. additionally, you might find to be the highest priced meal

Someone mentioned that most high end restaurants don't list prices. That is not true in my experience. I am from the Pacific Northwest where you can expect to spend $200.00 for an excellent meal out for 2 without wine or drinks and the prices are clearly listed on the menu. These restaurants are proud of their offerings and know they are worth every penny. I will not eat at a restaurant that makes me ask the prices, except when "market pricing" is stated. If they cater to the wealthy or upper income they have no respect for them if they require them to ask the price of a meal, this is demeaning, or even worse if they assume the patron doesn't care what it costs. Most wealthy people got that way by knowing where their money was going, not by just handing it over blindly. Believe me, I know.
I do agree that this lady and her husband should have asked the price before ordering. It's a shame this spoiled their fun anniversary night out.

I remember eating in a number of restaurants in NYC where the woman's menu did not have prices! I have zero problem asking for the price of a special. Eat at ChopHouse frequently and have been told prices on specials. Have to ask fr omarket price on the prime meat.

Thanks!

There is no problem with her finger or the keyboard. Expensive Grouper has a little known side effect.

'Special' to them.

I agree it is a bad practice for the restaurant to do this. At one restaurant that I will not name, the owner instructs the staff to do the same. The staff reports they are not comfortable with the practice.

Where it becomes nasty is when you are taking people out to dinner and they do not know what they are getting into. Do you warn them. The owner I mention, offers cheese on the free side salad. The staff says, "Do you want cheese on your salad?" When the bill comes there is a three dollar charge. When you hear it mentioned to your guests, do you warn them of the scam. Everyone thinks it is a free option when the question is asked.

WOW, just WOW!!

Lol. I couldn’t Agree more!

The Chop House as well as Blue Fin are pricey, but the food is great. Being from the NYC area we are used to high prices for dinner. I still have not found a $20+ martini in TV. Grouper fishing is not a long season, so I'm told, so it is pricey, but good. When something on the menu says "market price" don't be shy, ask the price, or pay the price. You only go around once, and you will never have that anniversary again.

No it does not
We go to Clearwater all the time and eat nothing but grouper and have never come close to that price.

not always, but often "specials" is a way for the chef to use up food that is getting close to having to be tossed
...that said the food is still good, requires the same amount of prep as any meal and is going to be priced fairly

I often go with the house specialties (not the specials)....especially if it's a venue that we don't visit often...that way I know that the kitchen has made the dish often enough and even if there's a brand new 'line cook' on that evening it will come out right

Gator Dundee
 

Happy anniversary, neighbors!
May the coming year grant you much grouper at reasonable prices

I love the chop house, I go to or
 

3 times a month, but please tell me which restaurant is more expensive here , if I haven’t already been there I need to go because I’m a snob Mr Amani

So they don’t give you the price of the specials,
But if you Pay With Cash, They Ask “Do You Need Change”
**Hmmmmmmm**

Fresh Grouper is usually $30,00 a la carte. No sides, no shrimp. And that's right on the Gulf. Be happy.

I like blue fin a little better
 

then chop house, I go 4 or 5 times a month , I think I like the service just a little better

Common practice in most restaurants.

Chop House Sticker Shock
 

This is not Beef O'Brady's or Taco Bell! This is an upscale restaurant with excellent food, Two reople, with drinks, can easily drop $100. It's not an every night place to eat, so,. get over it, and remember the good meal you got to share with your mate!

Chop House is one of the higher end restaurants in TV. I like it that thee is a range of restaurants in the Villages. If price is an issue, you probably should not be going to the Chop House. Have your grouper at Blue Fin.

I think the word “Special” and $43 grouper is an oxymoron. “Special” is a term associated with ham & eggs $3 at a diner so your surprise is understandable.
However Chops is a classy place so $43 is not unreasonable just the way they framed it. Lesson learned.

Every time I see anything where the price is no immediately revealed, I think the same thing. Why are they hiding the price? Are they afraid to show it? Are they afraid that you won't order it because of the price? Always ask the price if it is not shown. Nothing cheap about that.

The other thing is ads that take forever trying to justify the price before the show it. I get less than halfway through those before I think, "If they have to work this hard to justify the price, it's probably not worth it."

The problem is that a lot of customers think of "Specials" of some kind of deal. Stores define "Specials" as things they've bought a lot of and want to sell. They are usually also very high profit margin items.

I've had grouper and there is nothing special about it. I didn't know it was supposed to be expensive. I think I would choose a cheaper fish.

Also, why is lump crab meat is more expensive than claw crab meat? It all comes from the same crab.

This is unfair to the customers. I like haddock being from Boston and Maine.

You only go around once........
So what is the difference of what you planned to spend and the $43.

Definitely sound advice! I really question that when they don’t state the amount up front...devious, I say.:MOJE_whot: