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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:
IaIa3 · 03/12/2019 19:25

It actually happened to us in Zizzi recently, they've changed the children's menu so the kids started is now a dry roll. DD wanted butter with it, can't remember how much they charged but thought it was odd as we eat out lots and this was the first time charged for butter.

LynnMa2 · 03/12/2019 19:33

We had to pay for extra butter in Paris but not here.

Alrighteo · 03/12/2019 19:40

To me, this is not about the butter. It's about trying to have a naice experience and some waitress goes 'ye, you can have more butter, but it will cost you'. It's a bit common for a meal costing 30-35 per person.
I'd actually have gotten up and walked out telling the waitress to shove her butter up the highest end..............

Timinfuckingruislip · 03/12/2019 19:41

@Dustarr73 honestly it was delicious - now that I could have just eaten with a spoon. Obviously if you’re a veggie it may not be so appealing.

Timinfuckingruislip · 03/12/2019 19:44

@Alrighteo - exactly. At a cafe - meh, but at £40 a head without alcohol, it’s ungainly. Doubt op was bothered about a quid, but it’s making things a bit awkward and leaves a taint on tne experience

Alrighteo · 03/12/2019 19:44

£1 for butter is extortion though. 15p maybe at a max.
I genuinely would have gotten up, paid for me soup, asked to speak to the manager to relay why I was leaving and have gone to the pub for a drink.

theotherfossilsister · 03/12/2019 19:46

Something similar happened in a pub once. I went quite often, then went with a friend who ordered white wine, decided she wanted a bit of water in it - like soda from the tap - asked at the bar, and they charged £2.50, only telling her once they'd put it in. Paid but didn't go back.

SlightlyStaleCocoPops · 03/12/2019 20:10

"I'd actually have gotten up and walked out telling the waitress to shove her butter up the highest end.............."

Sure you would!

changeforprivacy · 03/12/2019 20:31

I'd actually have gotten up and walked out telling the waitress to shove her butter up the highest end..............

Have you got something very basic wrong with you?

Binglebong · 03/12/2019 20:45

What on earth is chicken skin butter?!

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 03/12/2019 20:49

What on earth is chicken skin butter?!

I googled it. Sounds pretty tasty!
"With chicken fat stirred into the butter itself, along with some crispy chicken skin pieces, this compound butter is a next-level treat full of rich chicken goodness."
www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/chicken-skin-butter-recipe

Alrighteo · 03/12/2019 21:09

Have you got something very basic wrong with you?

Ye, the ability to identify people taking the piss. I'm paying £35 for a meal and they want to charge me for butter? What about the toilet paper I used to wipe me hole? The milk or sugar in my coffee? I took 3 sugarlumps? Fuck that shite. In a classy place, they don't annoy you about the bill, until the bill comes. Charging extra for butter is ridiculous. Maybe they thought you couldn't afford £1 of butter!!! The shame!!

I've walked out for less wankery.

TattyPlasticHeart · 03/12/2019 21:15

If I had a pound for every time a customer went mental because they had to pay for their butter..

Seriously, if you can afford to eat out you can afford a few pence for butter.. And..

IT'S NOT THE STAFFS FAULT SO STOP TAKING IT OUT ON THEM.

Aimed at the public en masse. Not OP, who I'm sure was terribly gracious about it all.

Timinfuckingruislip · 03/12/2019 21:17

@BuzzShitbagBobbly it truly was delicious.

Binglebong · 03/12/2019 21:22

Thank you. Not sure if I fancy it or not!

FizzyIce · 03/12/2019 21:37

I get butter rage but for a different reason .
Why are cafes incapable of putting butter in a jacket potato .
I ask every time I order one and they never do it.
What kind of animal doesn’t have butter in a jacket ?!

GeePipe · 03/12/2019 21:37

You think thats bad! Me and my mates were charged a fee for using cutlery at a resteraunt in prague once! We were also charged because they put a basket of sauces on our table even though we didnt touch them just because they were put there. We asked the waiter at the end and he said it was normal to charge for these. Ludicrous. As for the butter £1?! Are they taking the piss you can buy a whole tub for that!

changeforprivacy · 03/12/2019 21:45

Ye, the ability to identify people taking the piss

I was actually referring to your inability to realise it wasn't the waitress who personally levied the charge along with the really aggressive way you spoke about what you would do to her.

Magickl · 03/12/2019 21:46

So should people who don't take milk or sugar in their coffee get a reduction in price? YANBU

Timinfuckingruislip · 03/12/2019 21:47

It’s about context. At £35 a head I’m assuming it’s a fairly decent establishment. A waitress saying “yeah we can get you more butter but it will be £1” doesn’t set an upmarket tone. In a cafe - extra cheese on a burger being charged for - fine.

GeePipe · 03/12/2019 21:50

Even the run down hospital i was in a few weeks ago gave me 4 butters for my toast that was enough to spread both slices. Speaks volumes when a failing nhs hospital gives away more food than a restaurant that charges £60 for lunch.

Alrighteo · 03/12/2019 22:08

It'a a bit Fawlty Towers.
Two ever so nice polite customers upping and leaving.
Basil in the kitchen going berserk as he's just found the onion soup.
Lol

OP, if you really like the place, fair enough, but I would be very embarrassed to bring friends there.

Alrighteo · 03/12/2019 22:13

And I have to say that when I get the impression that one end of the business is tight-assed, you can pretty much guarantee they're struggling, so hygiene, quality of produce etc. will also be being compromised on (e.g. staff member mentioning the price of butter to you mid-meal - seriously?). I wouldn't be surprised to see your restaurant go under very soon. That, or you were dressed like you couldn't afford the meal. Are you and your husband broke hoodlums?

Logjam · 03/12/2019 22:19

I don't think it's a very common policy - it certainly doesn't feel very hospitable - mind you in Lisbon I had to beg for butter with a croissant, they insisted it was made with butter so in no way did I need more - when I offered to pay for it they back down - shaking their heads in a very puzzled manner.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 03/12/2019 22:33

That, or you were dressed like you couldn't afford the meal.

Are you saying that they should be charged extra for looking poor?

DH and I naively strolled into a rustic little Italian in the Hamptons, without looking at the menu prices, on our road trip last summer. We had swigged a carafe of lovely iced water and torn into the bread before we opened the menu. Gulp. But by then we were committed.

It must have been blatantly obvious to the waiting staff that we were on a very different budget by our meagre order and lack of alcohol, but they were absolutely lovely, brought us lots more bread and chilled water and free coffees. I’ll be going back there when I make my millions.

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