Is anyone doing one of these shops this weekend?

I have asked the scheduler a couple of questions and they tend to be not answered in a very friendly way. I had another question - the survey states that each person can order a draft beer, house wine or soft drink. The issues is, the beers appear to all be bottled. Also, and this will sound silly, does one ask for a glass of the house red? The menu has only wines by the glass and they are all specific (Pinot Noir, Malbec, etc.). I feel like the last time I saw house wine on a menu was a cheap happy hour menu at some mom and pop place.

I wouldn't mind being able to order a glass of wine but the idea of ordering a house wine has me on edge lol. I'd rather get iced tea and not sweat a $$$ reimbursement over the wine I order.

Thanks for any advice on this one.

And just a rant, it really is frustrating when the schedulers are unhelpful and seemingly purposefully. We're expected to follow the instructions completely and outlay a lot of cash and sometimes just want some confirmation of the requirements. As per usual, the instructions have instances of differing information. And there are definitely warnings that if you don't get it right you won't be paid.

Is your shop the newer shop for four people and larger reimbursement? Or the usual one? The newer shops are sitting on the board here.

It may be location specific, but you may be able to get a glass of wine during Happy Hour.

For the usual shop, my guest and I try to avoid the weekend at STK and go during Happy Hour. The location we go to is flexible and honors Happy Hour in the dining room too, beyond the bar. We usually get the signature cocktails, but not wine though.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2025 11:42PM by Okie.

@Okie wrote:

Is your shop the newer shop for four people and larger reimbursement? Or the usual one? The newer shops are sitting on the board here.

It may be location specific, but you may be able to get a glass of wine during Happy Hour.

For the usual shop, my guest and I try to avoid the weekend at STK and go during Happy Hour. The location we go to is flexible and honors Happy Hour in the dining room too, beyond the bar. We usually get the signature cocktails, but not wine though.

Newer shop. And it specially says what I wrote above. Google told me I guess you can literally ask for the house.

No cocktails are allowed on this one.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2025 11:52PM by olympia tennenbaum.

I haven't done the new shop yet. Sorry, I re-read your post and looked at the MSC site. To be really safe though, maybe go with the soft drink. In the past, I've ordered a bottled beer when draft beer wasn't available. I explained it, and the shop was approved.

But in the shop comments for this one, it says, "If you fail to order one of the required dishes, your shop will be rejected, and you will not be reimbursed for your meal or paid for your shop (unless they are out of an item). If they are out of an item, please do not order anything in its place and note this in your report."

Maybe play it on the safe side. Or if you have the reimbursement amount to maximize, you can go for the house wine.

Okie, sorry didn’t mean to sound short. I’m on mobile and can’t seem to escape awful auto correct.

Drinks “may” be ordered but are not listed as required.

*sorry, edited for typing issues

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2025 06:37AM by olympia tennenbaum.

My interpretation is that the operative words are CAN CHOOSE. "You and your guests may order one beverage each (other than water). You can choose a draft beer, house wine, or soft drink. Only one beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink) is allowed per guest."

'Shall' or 'must' are not used. Verbiage is a bit muddy, but I don't read this to mean that cocktails are not allowed. Hopefully, the scheduler clears things up!

I received a nice response to my question. I haven't been to this restaurant before so I was unsure if the entrees are large and work well for sharing or if one person in the group is supposed to order two vegetables rather than an entree or??? I just was unsure how exactly you pull off ordering three entrees for 4 people (and look natural while doing so?) The response was yes, you just order everything for the table to share. This is not how my friends and I would normally dine so it seems quite odd to me.

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

Okei sorry didn’t mean to sound short. I’m on mobile and don’t seem to escape awful auto correct.

Drinks “may” be ordered but are not listed as required.

No worries, I didn't take any offense! I glanced over some items. If you're able to, maximize the reimbursement amount for the items that are flexible.

I haven't signed up for this shop because adding more guests just allows more room for error. Someone who isn't used to mystery shopping may forget and start eating the meal before I can take a picture. Also, the picture of the group makes me leery. Does the restaurant end up seeing the picture when the report is turned in? Won't that out you as the mystery shopper? It would make a really good night out on the town though.

@Mert wrote:

My interpretation is that the operative words are CAN CHOOSE. "You and your guests may order one beverage each (other than water). You can choose a draft beer, house wine, or soft drink. Only one beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink) is allowed per guest."

'Shall' or 'must' are not used. Verbiage is a bit muddy, but I don't read this to mean that cocktails are not allowed. Hopefully, the scheduler clears things up!

I didn't bother asking the scheduler. Their response most of the time is read the guidelines.

Some of you all must have iron ear drums. By all accounts these places are louder than a heavy metal concert.

I am looking forward to hearing how it all went. Months ago I checked their menu and it seemed for the regular shop, no matter what cheaper items I ordered off the menu, I would still be over the reimbursement allotment so I have never done this shop . I remember asking if we could order off some special lower priced menu they had at the time and was told no. My local location is in a high priced hotel in a ritzy section of town. My daughter worked there one summer when she was in college as the spritzer girl by the pool. She told me she was treated like a slave and looked down upon by the guests at the hotel. I remember telling her to work into the conversation that she was on her summer break from college and after she did that she was treated much better by the clientele.
As for ordering house wine, I have been to many restaurants where the house wine is a named wine which is on the menu. I would not hesitate to ask if they have a house wine, what wine it is and how much it cost. I do that all the time on my own dime.
This new shop looked intriguing until I started to wonder who I would invite and they warned that without the four there would be no pay. I have no family here to invite that I would drag to the place, although this restaurant may not need much dragging but inviting 3 friends leaves 3 opportunities for one of them to opt out at the last minute. So I decided not to do this one either.

I wouldn't worry about the house wine being plonk at STK.

@Mellifluy wrote:

I haven't signed up for this shop because adding more guests just allows more room for error. Someone who isn't used to mystery shopping may forget and start eating the meal before I can take a picture. Also, the picture of the group makes me leery. Does the restaurant end up seeing the picture when the report is turned in? Won't that out you as the mystery shopper? It would make a really good night out on the town though.

I think that is completely valid. I explained it all and gave everyone a mnemonic device to remember what to order. One friend started drinking as soon as the drink arrived.

The picture was completely freaky. I really hope it doesn't get sent to the restaurant. It would definitely make it more difficult to shop there.

I've shopped there several times and have had the same waiter more than once and he has never recognized me so that seems to be a decent track record. Now, if my face is plastered up on the wall somewhere, that could be awkward!

We shall see how the report comes back.

I gave my friends a whole speech about not touching anything etc, and one friend did pick up their soda and start drinking immediately! Luckily there was no where to upload the drink photos so it did not end up mattering.

I think it was a little stressful taking a group and trying to photograph everything. Luckily (?), it was a horrible night for service so even if we were behaving strangely there was no one around to notice it. Unluckily, it was a horrible night for service.

It was kinda fun to get to take friends out. It was not a carefree evening. The food was typical STK if you've been there. There are some things on the menu that I love. Most of the required dishes were not those things.

@sandyf wrote:

I am looking forward to hearing how it all went. Months ago I checked their menu and it seemed for the regular shop, no matter what cheaper items I ordered off the menu, I would still be over the reimbursement allotment so I have never done this shop . I remember asking if we could order off some special lower priced menu they had at the time and was told no. My local location is in a high priced hotel in a ritzy section of town. My daughter worked there one summer when she was in college as the spritzer girl by the pool. She told me she was treated like a slave and looked down upon by the guests at the hotel. I remember telling her to work into the conversation that she was on her summer break from college and after she did that she was treated much better by the clientele.
As for ordering house wine, I have been to many restaurants where the house wine is a named wine which is on the menu. I would not hesitate to ask if they have a house wine, what wine it is and how much it cost. I do that all the time on my own dime.
This new shop looked intriguing until I started to wonder who I would invite and they warned that without the four there would be no pay. I have no family here to invite that I would drag to the place, although this restaurant may not need much dragging but inviting 3 friends leaves 3 opportunities for one of them to opt out at the last minute. So I decided not to do this one either.

I was thinking of SteveSoCal and how they have had some shopper get togethers in the past. I think this would be the perfect opportunity - meet, no one has to pay, everyone knows the drill!