It's not easy to be a restaurant right now. Everybody's broke, and even if they're not, they're terrified they will be soon, and therefore don't spend any money. Many places are offering deals to get customers in the door, including The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, favorite of visiting dignitaries and society dammes alike.
A story on Hotel Interactive today reported that the Ritz's fanciest dining option will start offering its menu items a la carte in the bar, as well as increasing the size of its half-bottle menu. Curiously, though, no mention is made of the economic climate as a factor in the decision. Rather, this is apparently for convenience's sake:
Guests will be able to stop by the bar, order a full-size filet mignon or other regular menu selection and perhaps a half-bottle of a great Cabernet, and then move on to whatever is next on their agenda.Well, ok, it doesn't exactly go with the Ritz's style to crow about their budget options, so if the story they want is the convenience factor, that's fine. The result is the same: As of Feb 5, you will be able to dine at the Ritz even if you are a mere mortal. And that's good for everyone except the few remaining society-types. But then, who doesn't like a bit of slumming once in a while?
New Small Bottles/Small Bites At The Ritz-Carlton, SF [Hotel Interactive]
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton [MenuPages]
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton [Official Site]
[Photo: Via e.t./flickr]
