11316 Sat Jan 04 13:08:23 -0800 2003 9 4 Pacific Northwest 0 16672 A number of Seattle area restaurants are charging large corkage fees ($30-40) per bottle. Those of us that collect nice wines and don't wish to pay the 200% and greater mark up for the restaurant wines are being adversely affected. A reasonable corkage fee should equal the price of a single glass of wine ($10 -15). I think that oenophiles should boycott these establishments that charge more than $20 corkage and patronize those that are reasonable. Sat Jan 04 13:08:23 -0800 2003 0 Foodguy 1 16674 How much should a restaurant charge if you want to bring your own appetizers or entrees? The mark-up on the food is typically much higher, 350%+, than on wine. Should a restaurant waive corkage if you bring your own glasses and corkscrew? A 225% mark-up on wine is actually quite reasonable. I am more upset with the restaurants that routinely charge 350% or more. Sat Jan 04 16:59:34 -0800 2003 16672 0 HD 2 16676 corkage fees that are that high are something that would never be imposed by a legitimate responsable restaurant operator. just greedy or stupid egomanic non-professionals. i've been involved in hotel and restaurent's all over the world of all types from "5 stars" to "tai pai tung's" [street vendors]. if your customer requests to bring a "special" wine for a occasion that to them is special that they choose to share with friends at your establishment it should be considered a honor. most often the same group will order appertif's, cocktails after dinner drinks as well as additional bottles of wine after they've enjoyed their special treat. it's acceptable to charge a corkage fee equel to the $$$ amount of profit on a standard bottle of wine on the list but this was something i generally waived for most repeat customers for the good will value. i alway's reminded those patrons whom i wasn't sure about that it would be correct to tip the service persons additional for the extra care in serving, chilling etc and they always understood that additional gratuties were expected. the best way to check this out is to request information on bringing your own wine for a special occasion from the most respected established restaurants in your community. i personally have never had a customer who wished to bring their own wine who did so only to save money. Sat Jan 04 18:29:32 -0800 2003 16674 0 irwin koval 2 16679 OK, Let's be reasonable here. No restaurant allows customers to bring in food, so that is not even a fair argument. There is a long tradition of allowing patrons to bring special bottles of wine, and I feel that they should be charged for it. But a good restauranteur will not be punitive and greedy. Normally, those who bring in special bottles also order other bottles and quite alot of food. All that we ask for is the courtesy of a clean wine glass and a reasonable fee. Sat Jan 04 19:47:07 -0800 2003 16674 0 Foodguy 2 16773 The reason the food markup is higher is because there is a huge amount of labor involved in preparing the food. The labor involved in wine is obviously minimal. It is the biggest moneymaker in the restaurant; that is why restaurants try so hard to get their liquor licenses (and pay so much for them). Comparing markups on wine and food is absurd. The restaurant can still make a profit from uncorking your own bottle. They save money on storage, taxes, etc. Fri Jan 10 19:29:42 -0800 2003 16674 0 hwg 3 16777 "They save money on storage, taxes, etc." How does a restaurant save money when you take your own wine? The wine list is predetermined and inventory is held based on a prediction of sales, etc. You showing up with a bottle is lost revenue, period. There are no savings where the costs are already sunk. I have no problem with BYOB. I will take a bottle from the cellar to a restaurant from time to time. What I find absurd is all the rationalizing and whining that surrounds the topic. What is next? A boycott of movie theaters that do not let you take your own popcorn? Sat Jan 11 01:58:50 -0800 2003 16773 0 HD 1 16680 Care to share who charges such fees so we can boycott if desired, or at least be warned? Sat Jan 04 23:36:48 -0800 2003 16672 0 bob666 1 16681 Lampreia= $25 Tosonis = $35 Sun Jan 05 01:15:41 -0800 2003 16672 0 winefriend 1 16682 That's obscene. But, if these are restaurants that Bill Gates frequents, then they're not charging enough. Sun Jan 05 01:49:14 -0800 2003 16672 0 2chez mike 1 16687 That's why I don't bring/drink wine in restaurants. If I do, I'd basically be paying an extra $20-$30 for...nothing. I don't mind to pay for food I can't make myself but wine? I can buy a bottle nearby for 50% less. I am not a "foodie" who can't enjoy a restaurant meal without a few sips. Sun Jan 05 18:21:43 -0800 2003 16672 0 Richard Harding