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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

wibu or was the manager of this restaurant?

248 replies

Itisraining · 15/10/2016 18:48

Recently went to local restaurant which we go to regularly so know the manager who has a reputation for being a bit tricky. The whole group ordered from the lighter bite menu. I ordered a macaroni cheese with garlic bread (which I have never ordered before). When we came to pay, I noticed I had been charged for the large portion from the main menu(£6.50 more expensive)
When I questioned it,
the manager said, "you didn't say you wanted the small one"
I said "I didn't say I wanted the larger one either and the other one says it comes with garlic ciabatta and I said the one with garlic bread"
Him, " they are both garlic bread, madame and you didn't say which one you wanted, did you not notice that it was the larger one?"
Me, (staying very polite) "No, I have never ordered it before and why did you assume, I wanted the big one when we all ordered from the lighter bite menu?"
You, "you are an adult"
Me, "But surely if there are 2 sizes, it is up to you to ascertain which one?"
Him, getting very exasperated and irritated, "you need to see this from my point of view, oh forget it, i'll charge for the smaller one, I can't be bothered to argue" He strops off.
Left feeling quite troubled. This is somewhere we give a lot of custom to. I now feel awkward about going back.

Was I wrong to question the order? For me it was clear that the one I ordered was the small one with garlic bread NOT the one which was labelled with ciabatta.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itisraining · 15/10/2016 19:06

nancy75 I was the only one who ordered the macaroni cheese, the others ordered paninis and sandwiches so not comparable.

malmi, you are exactly right. I didn't even know the other one existed until I looked when I received the bill.

They were not even labelled the same. I specifically said one with garlic bread ie the smaller one. I never mentioned one with the ciabatta (the larger one)

OP posts:
ScarletOverkill · 15/10/2016 19:07

Did you not question if you had the correct dish when it arrived with ciabatta?

andintothefire · 15/10/2016 19:10

If you were only ordering one course, I think it is reasonable for the waiter to assume you wanted the larger portion. I would always be very clear in those situations that you wanted the smaller one. On the other hand, if you only had the "lighter bites" menu and the larger portion was not even on it (but on a separate menu) then the waiter was the one being unreasonable.

But if the owner has an attitude problem generally, I wouldn't go back there to be honest!

diddl · 15/10/2016 19:11

I'm not sure why you didn't just say that you wanted the lighter bite one tbh.

Although if you said "the smaller one"...

Original poster
Itisraining · 15/10/2016 19:11

it was just a piece of crusty bread. Didn't even think about it.

OP posts:
DameXanaduBramble · 15/10/2016 19:12

Generally it's the larger dish by default. You must specify if you want the smaller.

nut3lla · 15/10/2016 19:13

I don't think yabu at all. I think some people on here would be crazy to pay £13 odd for mac n cheese too. I would assume a lighter bite if everyone else having one and it should have been up to them to check rather than assume you wanted full size. I've also worked in cafes restaurants when I was younger and at certain times of the day it was always in my best interest to check if it was a full size portion or lunch menu option (half the price usually & good value!) before leaving the table to order. It's a shame the manager queried this & didn't handle it well. It would put me off going again, at least for a while, which is not what restaurants need right now.

usual · 15/10/2016 19:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Itisraining · 15/10/2016 19:14

Didn't know the larger one existed. The lighter bite menu is very different to the main menu but can't say I know everything on there. We tend to order the same things when we go. This was an exception.

OP posts:
usual · 15/10/2016 19:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

andintothefire · 15/10/2016 19:16

I don't understand why the waiter would think you would want a portion size that was not even on the menu you were looking at! I think that it was clearly their mistake in that case. It's not the same as the situation when you have two size options side by side (or starter / full size).

stonecircle · 15/10/2016 19:18

why would anybody want garlic bread (carb and fat) with mac cheese (carb and fat)?

andintothefire · 15/10/2016 19:19

It's actually not beyond the realms of possibility that the waiter was deliberately taking advantage of the confusion of their different menus to sell a more expensive meal.

janethegirl2 · 15/10/2016 19:19

I don't think YWBU. The restaurant should have asked you which size you wanted.

cdtaylornats · 15/10/2016 19:20

If you eat there regularly have you ever ordered the light bite menu items before?

Serialweightwatcher · 15/10/2016 19:20

I think you were right - if there are two choices, they should ask which one you require and not assume - funny that they didn't assume you wanted the smaller one! I'd have said something and not paid for the larger one either

RNBrie · 15/10/2016 19:21

Yanbu. If there are two sizes on different menus then the staff should check. I would be really annoyed for the price of my meal to double.

diddl · 15/10/2016 19:21

"I don't understand why the waiter would think you would want a portion size that was not even on the menu you were looking at!"

Presumably everything is on one menu?

Serialweightwatcher · 15/10/2016 19:21

Carb and fat oooooh how terrible - not!

Soubriquet · 15/10/2016 19:23

Even as a crusty peice of bread, surely it was clear if it was garlic bread or a ciabatta

Jinglebellsandv0dka · 15/10/2016 19:26

You ate it so you should have paid for it.

YABU.

I would have thought you were showing off in front of your friends as you sounded quite smug. You've probably ruined it now for the next time you go in.

DixieWishbone · 15/10/2016 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Catam · 15/10/2016 19:28

I love good service & my part of that is being clear what I'm ordering. Mistakes can happen - today lunch staff didn't bring my DM's first course & despite telling them it was missing (at the time & at paying) we still got charged - I wouldn't have let it go but I wasn't paying the bill. They were busy, DM didn't mind.

In general the clearer you are the better service you get, I'm often surprised at what staff will put up with re off menu requests but if it really wasn't clear which you ordered then, well, it happens.

Totally sure they would have refunded you if you asked on delivery (or even after you'd eaten everything if you'd made enough noise)

But is it worth it if you've eaten & enjoyed a big meal?

I've been both sides of service so I'm really generous tipping & if things aren't great I say asap & still leave a tip if they rectify. If I don't say anything I don't expect them to mind read, just tell them I was so hungry I overlooked it or not mention it at all.

FrancisCrawford · 15/10/2016 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jinglebellsandv0dka · 15/10/2016 19:29

Also if you order of a menu when do you ever say 'off the main menu /bigger size' you normally only say 'off the light bites' side.

Did some one expressly say ' every thing we are ordering is off the light bite menu'?

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