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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be annoyed that we were going to be charged for extra butter?

201 replies

NotEnoughTime · 03/12/2019 11:54

I went out for lunch on Sunday with my DH (a very rare occurence). We went to a restaurant that we have been going to for years. We go there on special occasions ie birthdays, anniversaries etc. It usually costs around £60-70 for lunch for two with no alcoholic drinks.

Anyway, we ordered soup for our started and we were given bread with this. We used the (small amount of) butter and then asked for some more butter. We were then told we could have some more butter but we would be charged a £1 for it! I thought this was very strange. Has anyone else ever been charged extra for butter? The waitress insisted this was common practise but I have never come across it before. I know it was only a £1 but I thought it was very mean.

OP posts:
RJnomore1 · 03/12/2019 12:22

£60 for lunch for two us not really that much

It’s many families weekly food budget ffs!!

I’ve had to pay in a cheap and cheerful place where you get the individual wrapped parts of butter, but I’d most certainly not expect to in a proper restaurant.

Simkin · 03/12/2019 12:23

I would contact the restaurant and tell them it has put you off going again.

nocluewhattodoo · 03/12/2019 12:24

I've worked in places that do this, its not the waiter/waitresses decision to charge for extras so I don't know why you'd remove the tip.

StealthPolarBear · 03/12/2019 12:24

No one (very few) eat butter on its own. If you wanted more butter that's probably because they hadn't given enough to go with the bread.

donquixotedelamancha · 03/12/2019 12:24

And the restaurant will give zero fucks that you didn’t tip the waitress.

Many restaurants keep tips to some extent. Very few restaurants at this price range would have a specific policy preventing the staff from exercising discretion in this situation.

£60 for lunch for two is really not that much when you break it down.

It's top whack near me.

ScreamingValenta · 03/12/2019 12:26

I can understand them only putting a small amount out to begin with, to avoid waste, but that should be on the basis that more can be provided on request.

1 x small packet per bread roll or per two standard slices of bread is what I'd use.

Davros · 03/12/2019 12:27

Do a fair Trip Adviser review and mention the charge for extra butter

churchandstate · 03/12/2019 12:27

Butter is a condiment. You shouldn’t be charged extra for standard condiments used to make the food palatable to the individual taste. It’s like charging for salt.

ScreamingValenta · 03/12/2019 12:27

It's top whack near me.

Me too.

FoamingAtTheUterus · 03/12/2019 12:29

£1 for a dab of butter which will be bought at catering prices is just ridiculous. I'd have paid for my starter and walked out.

PixieDustt · 03/12/2019 12:29

For a pound I would of nipped to the shop and got a block!

Butchyrestingface · 03/12/2019 12:31

Do a fair Trip Adviser review and mention the charge for extra butter

That would have been my first port of call.

Justkeeprollingalong · 03/12/2019 12:31

£60 for lunch for 2 is expensive with no drinks.

Tableclothing · 03/12/2019 12:31

Stinginess is never attractive. That kind of attitude would put me off returning to a restaurant (thus stopping me spending much more than £1 there in the long run). It's a shortsighted policy, imo.

Molly2010 · 03/12/2019 12:32

Our hospital canteen charges 25p for a butter sachet with a jacket potato. I thought that was a bit tight if I’m honest.
I would have paid it if I wanted it but then not return it I thought it was unreasonable (which in your case I do).

FoamingAtTheUterus · 03/12/2019 12:33

I mean even Travelodge put out baskets of butter with the breakfast stuff.........we don't have to go begging for it. And that's something like £9 !

dontalltalkatonce · 03/12/2019 12:34

I would contact them and tell you they've lost a customer over their meanness and leave a poor review. Wouldn't go back there again.

SlightlyStaleCocoPops · 03/12/2019 12:34

Might have been more constructive to ask to speak to a manager about it at the time rather than taking it out on the waiting staff.

saraclara · 03/12/2019 12:35

YABU for taking it out on the waitress who has no control over her employer's policy.

I would however, be straight on Trip Advisor and other review sites.

lidoshuffle · 03/12/2019 12:36

I had a posh burger in gastro pub, it cost £20 including £3 extra for bacon and cheese toppings (yes , I know I am a greedy pig Grin ). It was uncooked in the middle and uneatable.

They apologised and didn't charge me for the burger but charged me the £3 for the toppings on the burger that I couldn't eat!

LucaFritz · 03/12/2019 12:37

Butter is extremely expensive at the moment especially the individual pats wrapped up so yes they should charge you for it if they gave handfuls of them away to everyone the cost would soon add up

BlackCatSleeping · 03/12/2019 12:37

I do think it’s expensive for lunch. I also thought a review would be appropriate.

Longfacenow · 03/12/2019 12:38

Please put that on your trip advisor review. I wouldn't go somewhere customers were charged for a smidge more butter.

PuppyMonkey · 03/12/2019 12:38

I’m sure the cost of extras like more butter can be absorbed into the general price of meals quite easily without anyone realising - charging a valued customer £1 makes the restaurant look very unprofessional and, well, twatty.

messolini9 · 03/12/2019 12:39

Jeez. Can see your point OP. You were being charged plenty to cover food costs & overhead - they've shot themselves in the foot with a mean gesture that adds a grand sum of ONE POUND to their income stream, & probably loses them a customer.

It's not the cash, is it? It's the principle, & the being made to feel unwelcome.