So...I had dinner next to Jessica Alba last night...

Page 11 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,555
9,907
146
Hate to say it, but Mill was absolutely right about the OP leaving a sub-standard tip at this level of restaurant.

If you need to be told this or you want to argue this, you are simply showing your ignorance. It's not about your mathematical calculations, Mr. Applebee's Guy, it's about what people who drop $500 on a meal customarily tip, which begins at 20-25% and goes up, sometime way up, from there.

If you don't know this or can't afford it, don't go in the damn door.

It's also why you don't go up to her table and pester Miss Alba for an autograph in such a place. They don't take kindly to rubes.

I can't believe I'm quoting him, but it's exactly like Mill said, "Act like you've been there before."

All that said, nice meal and scenery, OP! Life is good, no?
 

suse920

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2005
6,889
0
0
Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: Anubis
Eating beyond his means? lol that?s something I?e never heard before,
its pretty comical the amnt of hate the OP got/is getting for tipping 15% and not 20+

alky, Tiger Woods is a millionaire and he does not tip at all
Is he eating beyond his means as well?

15% is a fair tip no matter how you cut it.

Not at that place.

why the fuck not? you're getting paid 66 dollars just at one table to do what? Be a waiter? Please, it might not be a generous tip, but it's certainly not worthy of all your hate.

Its multiple people per table at places like this.
Two years ago my uncle took me and three other people to spagos, another of puck's restaurants in beverly hills and the service was amazing.
There were at least three people waiting on our table at all times. Drinks never got near empty, silverware was replaced without you even noticing. the food recomendations were amazing.
Three of the people in the party did a wine tasting meal and the bill came to around $1600 at the end of the night. I think he left $500 flat. I'm not trying to brag because personal i couldnt afford such a place, but for dining in restaurants like this a 25-30% tip isnt unusual. Saying its like applebees is rediculous.
I've never been to cut, but if its the same level of service as spagos, repeatedly tipping 15% there might lead to degrading service.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Originally posted by: alkemyst

You aren't helping the argument by not understanding it. The waiter is not getting the full $66.

In a place like this a cut almost always goes to the Maitre'D, a part to the bus staff, etc.

They do make a decent amount but they also have to deal with a higher level of stress.

Esp. the 'DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM' crowd coming in on a bus with the tour group.

Ooooooo, high stress. Carting food around, whup dee f'n dooo. Excuse me if Im not impressed.

Yeah, your right, they should just work for free. What was I thinking.
 

amoeba

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2003
3,162
1
0
Originally posted by: Perknose


If you need to be told this or you want to argue this, you are simply showing your ignorance. It's not about your mathematical calculations, Mr. Applebee's Guy, it's about what people who drop $500 on a meal customarily tip, which begins at 20-25% and goes up, sometime way up, from there.

Just silly. Silly silly silly. This is what happens when one guy shows off and tips well then tells everybody about it then everybody tries to also show that they can afford to eat there so they also up the tip. Then everybody can feel superior because they are big tippers. Well at least until the next guy ups it to 50% tips.


What you are in effect saying is "if you spend a lot of money on your meal, you have to spend even more money tipping, because well, thats what people with a lot of money to spend on meals do". why? "just because, I mean thats what they do".

I can't believe there are people actually condoning this action/promoting it.


Its also sad that because of this, wait staff in this country often does much better financially than the line cooks who are culinarily trained, work longer and harder hours, and actually has something to do with your food.


 

amoeba

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2003
3,162
1
0
Originally posted by: suse920
Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: Anubis
Eating beyond his means? lol that?s something I?e never heard before,
its pretty comical the amnt of hate the OP got/is getting for tipping 15% and not 20+

alky, Tiger Woods is a millionaire and he does not tip at all
Is he eating beyond his means as well?

15% is a fair tip no matter how you cut it.

Not at that place.

why the fuck not? you're getting paid 66 dollars just at one table to do what? Be a waiter? Please, it might not be a generous tip, but it's certainly not worthy of all your hate.

Its multiple people per table at places like this.
Two years ago my uncle took me and three other people to spagos, another of puck's restaurants in beverly hills and the service was amazing.
There were at least three people waiting on our table at all times. Drinks never got near empty, silverware was replaced without you even noticing. the food recomendations were amazing.
Three of the people in the party did a wine tasting meal and the bill came to around $1600 at the end of the night. I think he left $500 flat. I'm not trying to brag because personal i couldnt afford such a place, but for dining in restaurants like this a 25-30% tip isnt unusual. Saying its like applebees is rediculous.
I've never been to cut, but if its the same level of service as spagos, repeatedly tipping 15% there might lead to degrading service.

We're not saying its like applebees. We recognize that the service is much much better than Applebees. We are merely saying that the increased level of service is already justified by the 10x price of the meal and thus the 10x increase in total tip and that it makes no sense why the increase in total tip should be higher than the increase in total price of meal.

And those people saying well there are more servers at my table, etc... yeah there are more line cooks and a pastry chef and a salad station too that you don't find at a regular bargain restaurant. How about I tack on a 5% Sommelier fee?

The fact of the matter is, these things are already covered by the price of the meal and thus correspondingly the higher total tip.

yes that server in Spago's isn't taking home the entirety of the tip. Might only take home half. Its still at these prices, 5x what the server in the Applebees is making and thats not bad.
 

Mr Pepper

Senior member
Oct 15, 1999
282
0
0
Originally posted by: JS80
I thought I'd just like to share I went to Wolfgang Puck's Cut restaurant (inside the Beverly Wilshire) last night and sat next to Jessica Alba. She was there with a large white lady (mother or manager?).

Yes, she is absolutely gorgeous in real life. She looks like the girl next door who is super hot.

That restaurant is a ridiculous place. Every female waitress/hostess was borderline supermodel (and made you feel like you're the shvt), and every guy in there had a bombshell date. There was a party full of rich men in their 50s-60s all of whom each had a porn-star quality date. Mastro's does not compare.

As for the food...cheese bread was amazing, appetizer was awesome (maple glazed pork belly), but the steak was a bit dry (20 oz ribeye). The service was absolutely amazing. The server/customer ratio must have been 1:2.

The bill for four of us came out to $505.50, but I left satisfied at the experience.

Edit: Final official tally $505.50 Receipt

Wow,

You're awesome.
 

Jschmuck2

Diamond Member
Jul 13, 2005
5,623
3
81
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Originally posted by: alkemyst

You aren't helping the argument by not understanding it. The waiter is not getting the full $66.

In a place like this a cut almost always goes to the Maitre'D, a part to the bus staff, etc.

They do make a decent amount but they also have to deal with a higher level of stress.

Esp. the 'DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM' crowd coming in on a bus with the tour group.

Ooooooo, high stress. Carting food around, whup dee f'n dooo. Excuse me if Im not impressed.

Yeah, your right, they should just work for free. What was I thinking.

Ugh ugh ugh, don't make me agree with Alkemyst. It makes me feel yucky.
 

daveymark

Lifer
Sep 15, 2003
10,573
1
0
wait, only a 15% tip? garbage. 20% minimum for excellent service.

if you can't afford to tip correctly, stay at home.
 

SnipeMasterJ13

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2004
1,005
0
71
I never understood the difference between bringing out a $5 burger compared to a $100 steak or something. It's the same amount of work to carry each plate, so why the big fuss? I worked in the restaurant business for 7 years, and I still side on that 15% is plenty. You can say the "stress" and "skill set" are more demanding at more expensive places, but it only takes someone with a decent memory to learn it - it's not rocket science. The stress is just a personality thing. As long as you are friendly and can think on your feet it's not that hard. Or maybe I'm just way underestimating myself and other servers that excel in the position?

What happens when someone orders 10 waters which are free (not like in the OP's case) and then some else orders two really expensive drinks. The two expensive drinks require a large tip, but the waters don't even though it clearly took a lot more work to get them?
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,418
1,599
126
Originally posted by: SnipeMasterJ13
I never understood the difference between bringing out a $5 burger compared to a $100 steak or something. It's the same amount of work to carry each plate, so why the big fuss? I worked in the restaurant business for 7 years, and I still side on that 15% is plenty. You can say the "stress" and "skill set" are more demanding at more expensive places, but it only takes someone with a decent memory to learn it - it's not rocket science. The stress is just a personality thing. As long as you are friendly and can think on your feet it's not that hard. Or maybe I'm just way underestimating myself and other servers that excel in the position?

What happens when someone orders 10 waters which are free (not like in the OP's case) and then some else orders two really expensive drinks. The two expensive drinks require a large tip, but the waters don't even though it clearly took a lot more work to get them?

$10 burger = 30 minute meal
$100 steak = 2-3 hour meal
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
Originally posted by: thereds
If a waiter at Applebees provided great service and had brought in the same amount of food and drinks (assuming it is available) at Applebees, the OP's 15% tip would be considered sufficient.

The waiter at Wolfgang's and Applebees did the same amout of service but the pricing of items skews the comparison.

I really don't see why 15% at Wolfgang's is something to frown about.

Sh|t, not everyone is frickin' loaded.

You did fine, OP.

:thumbsup:
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: thereds
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: thereds
If a waiter at Applebees provided great service and had brought in the same amount of food and drinks (assuming it is available) at Applebees, the OP's 15% tip would be considered sufficient.

The waiter at Wolfgang's and Applebees did the same amout of service but the pricing of items skews the comparison.

I really don't see why 15% at Wolfgang's is something to frown about.

Sh|t, not everyone is frickin' loaded.

You did fine, OP.</blockquote>

There is a huge difference and a reason why someone works at Applebees vs. Wolfgangs.</blockquote>

Isn't 15% standard for good service?

What should he have tipped? 25%?</blockquote>

At a place like that, 20-25% would not be unreasonable.

humm so the more expensive the joint the more a customer HAS to tip percentage and dollar wise?

explain this to me.

 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: Anubis
Eating beyond his means? lol that?s something I?e never heard before,
its pretty comical the amnt of hate the OP got/is getting for tipping 15% and not 20+

alky, Tiger Woods is a millionaire and he does not tip at all
Is he eating beyond his means as well?

15% is a fair tip no matter how you cut it. Giving more is up to the patron. I tend to tip more than 15% much of the time.

I haven't heard Tiger Woods doesn't tip...don't really follow celebrities with my nose in their ass...but that would just make him an asshole, he is building on Jupiter Island down here...there probably isn't much beyond his means. Just in beach sand maintenance there you are spending $300 a month minimum.

i only mentioned that wood thing because IDK few years ago there was a massive thread much like this one about it because it made the fing news, he went out with some peeps 800$ or so dinner left no tip, he apperently does not beleive in it and beleives the wait staff should be paied better so there wont be a need to tip and all that

i would have tipped at least 20 but thats just me

and depending on how you personally do tips, some do it just on the food, which was like 350 and 66$ isnt bad for that
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
holy Hell 12 bucks for a side of fries and another 12 bucks for a side of onion rings?? thats obscene

 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,418
1,599
126
Originally posted by: Citrix
holy Hell 12 bucks for a side of fries and another 12 bucks for a side of onion rings?? thats obscene

You must not eat out at fine dining establishments often.


Really, it's not that bad. And it'd probably pwn any fries/onion rings you'd get anywhere.


I figure a decent baseline for quality dining around here is Hatfield's. Tasting menu's are 75pp, add 2 drinks + tip and you get out for ~220.

 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
It's like any profession...the better waiters make better money. The dude at Applebees sadly more than likely wouldn't be capable of waiting at a much more expensive restaurant. Just the track record of absenteeism at a typical restaurant is dismal.

The wait staff is very front facing, unlike the kitchen staff (most of the time)...a bad meal can break the waiters tip and with the wrong customer get them fired. The cook continues to make the same coin and often get a percentage of the tip take.

I think the problem here is twofold, one those jealous that a top waiter makes more than their shitty paycheck and two that those top waiters cause them to be out of budget when they want to eat out at a place they really shouldn't be.

 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
Originally posted by: Citrix
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: thereds
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: slsmnaz
<blockquote>quote:
Originally posted by: thereds
If a waiter at Applebees provided great service and had brought in the same amount of food and drinks (assuming it is available) at Applebees, the OP's 15% tip would be considered sufficient.

The waiter at Wolfgang's and Applebees did the same amout of service but the pricing of items skews the comparison.

I really don't see why 15% at Wolfgang's is something to frown about.

Sh|t, not everyone is frickin' loaded.

You did fine, OP.</blockquote>

There is a huge difference and a reason why someone works at Applebees vs. Wolfgangs.</blockquote>

Isn't 15% standard for good service?

What should he have tipped? 25%?</blockquote>

At a place like that, 20-25% would not be unreasonable.

humm so the more expensive the joint the more a customer HAS to tip percentage and dollar wise?

explain this to me.

Kind of like our progressive income tax brackets.
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
Originally posted by: Perknose
Hate to say it, but Mill was absolutely right about the OP leaving a sub-standard tip at this level of restaurant.

If you need to be told this or you want to argue this, you are simply showing your ignorance. It's not about your mathematical calculations, Mr. Applebee's Guy, it's about what people who drop $500 on a meal customarily tip, which begins at 20-25% and goes up, sometime way up, from there.

If you don't know this or can't afford it, don't go in the damn door.

It's also why you don't go up to her table and pester Miss Alba for an autograph in such a place. They don't take kindly to rubes.

I can't believe I'm quoting him, but it's exactly like Mill said, "Act like you've been there before."

All that said, nice meal and scenery, OP! Life is good, no?

Life is very good. What recession?