To think it's just weird that a pub restaurant is refusing to share costs or a sample menu?

[Allthefoodandwine]

www.facebook.com/share/p/9W3kBjFV2aQqjXTy/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Is it just me who thinks this is really bizarre?

New managers of a local pub, who despite being repeatedly asked for a menu, even a sample menu with an idea of costs, are refusing to share ANY information.

We visited there regularly when the previous managers had it, and we would like to go again.

But AIBU to want to see the kind or food they are serving & an idea of cost?

Yeah, that’s ridiculous.

Well I wouldn't go without at least a personal recommendation from someone I know who knew my tastes. Published reviews mean little to me because everyone's expectations of what is a good meal / good value is so very different. But sounds like they're not short of customers so their call 🤷‍♀️

Well given that they are advertising it as a mystery menu, that's the whole point surely? Can't see one person on there that's asked for a menu or a price.

So you go in and tell them I would like a main and dessert or three courses and they bring you mystery dishes which could be anything at all, and you don’t know the price for and present you with a bill at the end for dishes which could be £9 or £90 each?

Some people like this type of thing. That's clearly where they are pitching themselves now - people will presume it's on the more expensive side and go with a more open mind, I suppose.

Although it's frustrating, and it wouldn't work for anyone with fussy family members/allergies/etc.

"all of whom did not see a menu or price list but all went away extremely happy and content." No way of telling. At most, they didn't get direct complaints, perhaps because people who realise they didn't know the price or details beforehand don't feel they have a leg to stand on.

I don't agree with any kind of price subterfuge. For a non-food related item, I don't understand why seemingly no taxi service in the UK publicises its charge per km or pricing schedule - or rather, why they're allowed to not do so.

I think the gimmick is that you don’t know what you’re going to get. So I can see why that might appeal to adventurous eaters.

I do think you need an idea of price though, even if it’s just an estimate.

@Okthen100 they haven't been open long, and on previous post lots of people have been asking

YABU, you're being ridiculous. It's called the 'Menu of Curiosity' for a reason, they're trying to stoke up interest as part of a marketing campaign.

It won't be the Menu of Curiosity once you've blabbed it to half of Northampton!

I think the menu just isn't published in advance, so you can't look at it at home/before booking/etc?

Edit - Ah, perhaps I've misinterpreted. That is a bit weird, then - but I guess still what some people like. It's very similar to some tasting menus, although they tend to tell you the cost upfront!

I'd imagine it can't be too expensive if they don't do that, as they wouldn't know if you'd have £200 spare or whatever.

@Wannaplayagame exactly! It's ridiculous

But the ginmick is its a mystery menu. Showing a menu would totally defeat that.

It's strange for a restaurant under normal circumstances but it makes sense when you read how they're marketing it

Aren't they worried about customers not having the money to pay if it turns out to be very expensive? That would be my concern if I was them. Also isn't there something about there needing to be a contract (ie seeing the price and therefore implicitly accepting it) in order for a customer to be liable for payment? Very weird

That’s totally ridiculous, I mean, if they have a known local chef and you know the food will be good, and they had an introductory taster night, to gauge reaction and feedback, then fine, but you would absolutely need to know the price still, despite the food (opening night only), being a bit of a test run.

What if it’s 50% more expensive than the nearest alternative, would they be ok if you just got up and walked out?

Maybe we should all message them asking for the priced menu? They may get the message that way!

What a shame, not exactly going to attract anyone with that strategy. Saying you were full on Mothering Sunday, serving Sunday roast, is hardly a yardstick for future custom! 🤦‍♂️🤣

Hilarious!

Yeah, that's pretentious nonsense.

But it’s their USP! It might not appeal to some but they seem to be making a success out of it at the moment 🤷‍♀️

At least the pie's happy

I would be fine with the mystery food aspect, I've done tasting menus where you don't know what you'll be served, but no way to mystery price, that's insane.
I did one last year that was £25 fir 5 courses and it was amazing, but I knew the price.
I'm not made of money ffs, how do I know I can afford it?

But surely you’d still expect a price? For example; 5 course curiosity menu - £39.99

The price shouldn’t be the curious bit?!

Exactly!

Ok I get that they won't share the menu as that sounds like part of the theme, like a "mystery tasting" which is fair enough.
To not let you have an idea of how much it's going to cost though?!
That's ridiculous
To me that's like the snooty places like in Pretty Woman that be like "if you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it. Be gone peasant" 🙄😁

@moonfacer so is it £40pp or £125pp?
Is there a wine list? What's the 'type' of food?

I have never, ever gone to a restaurant and not had an idea of type or food or cost, and I have eaten out a lot...

This isn't Michael O'Hare level - it's a new village pub

They were busy on Mothers Day, doing Sunday lunch, not a surprise. The price secret would be the stop point for me.

But that's their USP. Presumably the price isn't bad or word would have got out Certainly got plenty positive comments on fb.

That's got people talking, because look its even made it to Mumsnet.