@NinS wrote:
I have never had an issue with ordering sides when shopping a steakhouse for Coyle and often it is a required order at such places. I’ve also never had an issue getting a prompt response from their support desk. The support desk doesn’t do the scheduling.
@viv0412 wrote:
I've always ordered sides with Coyle restaurants if the entree doesn't come with it. My husband and I really enjoy vegetables.
@olympia tennenbaum wrote:
Did your location have a crazy surcharge? I really abhor how they can pop up and bite you. I had one at the coffee shop of a hotel recently and felt kind of bitter seeing 6% I wasn't expecting.
@SteveSoCal wrote:
@olympia tennenbaum wrote:
Did your location have a crazy surcharge? I really abhor how they can pop up and bite you. I had one at the coffee shop of a hotel recently and felt kind of bitter seeing 6% I wasn't expecting.
No surcharge for me, because the location in Bev Hills is a stand alone restaurant. Not sure where you are located, though.
My wife knew about the restaurant from social media, and was excited when she saw it become available. I had actually had never heard of it either.
One of our steaks was $95 and we still had room to spare with a 20% tip. It's all kind of served family style anyway, where you should not be required to order 2 entrees, but you cannot change that requirement with Coyle, so order something a bit more 'unique' or a seafood item for the second entree, along with a side, and then make it a surf & turf that you share. Ordering a non-steak item for entree #2 will also save enough that you can splurge on the steak.
And I think they make their $$ of the drinks more than the steaks. My wine was $24/glass and I found it online for $18/bottle!
My budgeting advice; reverse-calculate the tax and tip at 20% from the allowed expense, and that will give you a subtotal you can reach. Based on the drink menus I have seen, if you order 4 drinks total you should budget about $100 for that, and $50 for apps/dessert (mine came to exactly $150 for those items) and then you might theoretically have around $190 to spend for 2 entrees and a side. That's going to make it an easier decision when it comes time to order. If that is the case and you can make 1 entree and a side fit in at $90, you would have a $100 left for a steak.
@sandyf wrote:
AS of July 1 California law prohibits surcharges not included in the advertised price. They gave a last minute reprieve to the restaurant industry. Restaurants can charge separate fees and surcharges but it must be noted somewhere on the menu.
For those living elsewhere look to your state to enact such a law so we are not surprised by excess fees in addition to what we expected to pay.
@olympia tennenbaum wrote:
@sandyf wrote:
AS of July 1 California law prohibits surcharges not included in the advertised price. They gave a last minute reprieve to the restaurant industry. Restaurants can charge separate fees and surcharges but it must be noted somewhere on the menu.
For those living elsewhere look to your state to enact such a law so we are not surprised by excess fees in addition to what we expected to pay.
I was booking a non-shop hotel today and my blood pressure was skyrocketing reading about the resort fee. I know they have become commonplace but the thing that got me going was what they advertised you received for the fee - including a 10% discount on a rental, a 5% discount at the spa, a 5% discount at the restaurant, etc. Like I want to pay $50 for a coupon book that I'll never use.
My better half had luck once telling the hotel manager we didn't use any of the services and he didn't want to pay the fee. We were at a historic hotel in Waikiki and the fee went toward a go-pro rental and other services we didn't use. I was really surprised when the manager actually waved them.
Anyway, sorry to go off on a rant/tangent. My husband said no more coffee today!
And, is there a date by which restaurants must stop adding these fees?
@olympia tennenbaum wrote:
I did a little more digging and found the entire menu online via Yelp.
@sandyf wrote:
What percentage of people who fight hidden fees are successful?
@SteveSoCal wrote:
@olympia tennenbaum wrote:
I did a little more digging and found the entire menu online via Yelp.
Don't be surprised if the menu has been updated when you get there with different pricing. I did the same with Yelp and was a bit thrown off when I got the menu there and it wasn't the same. I also just checked the current menu (I snapped a pic of the QR code for my location) and some items are higher than when I was there in April!
It was a really good, and memorable, dinner. I would never have paid $400 for it on my own, but it was totally worth writing the report for. That said, it's not a traditional steakhouse and more of an 'experience'. It changed the way I present my steaks at home. I do all the classic server moves from the restaurant every time I grill and serve steaks at home...and it still gets a laugh from my wife, so 100% worth taking the assignment.
There are many steakhouses that I have shopped, but very few that I would pay my own money to go to. We probably would have been happier with that kind of reimbursement at a Ruth's Chris. I have done the Ruth's shops and have also paid to go there on my own many times.
And kind of off topic, but my wife and I enjoy the expensive dinners as shops much more than going out on our own dime, mainly because it takes the pressure off. It would be really disappointing to have a bad dining experience and be out hundreds of dollars, but on a shop...meh, a bit more writing. I need to feel pretty assured of the experience before I drop a few hundred of my own dollars on a dinner, so the shops are good way to figure out where we want to spend our money.
@Morledzep wrote:
I didn't read all of the answers, and I haven't worked for Coyle for a very long time. And I really don't know of a steakhouse where you have to buy side dishes separately (except at some very fancy places in Las Vegas). Most of the steakhouse shops I've done, the entrée comes in a meal with one or two sides of your choosing. So color me confused, I'm completely baffled by your question and I probably should have kept scrolling.
@olympia tennenbaum wrote:
Thanks, Steve. Based on something you wrote in the past I wondered if you had visited. I knew nothing about the place before the Coyle posting and after visiting the website, I wonder what the visit will be like. Online reviews are extremely split.
I like the bar tip. I ended up doing something similar with my last non-Coyle steakhouse. The location was basically empty so I'm glad we did it that way. It always seems like a tell when you head to the bar when you have reservations and the place is empty.
I was checking out the menu and I'm picking up what you're putting down on the app and dessert. Too bad the sides look like those from a commonplace Australian-themed steakhouse chain! I'll have to figure out more about the steaks. Based on my quick look it seems like there are some less expensive options and then some outrageous options. Hopefully there will be something decent in-between. Sounds like you made it work.
Did your location have a crazy surcharge? I really abhor how they can pop up and bite you. I had one at the coffee shop of a hotel recently and felt kind of bitter seeing 6% I wasn't expecting.
Thanks, as always. Whenever I have Coyle questions I'm particularly happy to see your responses knowing how much experience you have!
@laloweryshops wrote:
@olympia tennenbaum wrote:
Thanks, Steve. Based on something you wrote in the past I wondered if you had visited. I knew nothing about the place before the Coyle posting and after visiting the website, I wonder what the visit will be like. Online reviews are extremely split.
I like the bar tip. I ended up doing something similar with my last non-Coyle steakhouse. The location was basically empty so I'm glad we did it that way. It always seems like a tell when you head to the bar when you have reservations and the place is empty.
I was checking out the menu and I'm picking up what you're putting down on the app and dessert. Too bad the sides look like those from a commonplace Australian-themed steakhouse chain! I'll have to figure out more about the steaks. Based on my quick look it seems like there are some less expensive options and then some outrageous options. Hopefully there will be something decent in-between. Sounds like you made it work.
Did your location have a crazy surcharge? I really abhor how they can pop up and bite you. I had one at the coffee shop of a hotel recently and felt kind of bitter seeing 6% I wasn't expecting.
Thanks, as always. Whenever I have Coyle questions I'm particularly happy to see your responses knowing how much experience you have!
I recently did the same shop and I just wanted to point out one thing. The king crab appetizer on the menu was literally the BEST king crab that I have ever had in my entire life, and king crab is my favorite food. I am aware that the price of that appetizer was really really high, but I was there for a special occasion and decided to splurge and deal with paying a little overage. It was worth it, for me. And Coyle had no problem with the expensive appetizer, I assume since this particular steakhouse has such expensive items on the menu. (I also saved a bit by getting the cheapest dessert - the ice cream - and it was still delicious and a perfect end to one of the best meals I have had.) So, if you love king crab, this might be worth the splurge for you too.
The location that I went to (New York) did NOT have the surcharge included. I think it depends upon the location though. You could call and ask in advance.
Also, FYI - I got two sides in addition to the steaks, and again, Coyle had no issues.
Finally, I wanted to let you know that I email Coyle support with a TON of questions and it's never caused me any issues. In fact, I think they prefer it so that you do it correctly for the client.
Hope you enjoy the steakhouse!
@Msilk wrote:
Not a Coyle shop but we had one a couple months ago where the server asked if we wanted bread. We stated yes. Once it was finished she asked if we wanted more and I agreed. Fast forward to the bill. The bread was $14 apiece. There was a 21% service charge added and blank spaces for the recommended 20,25, and 30% tip. Six months earlier at their opening it was standing room only. This time we were the sole diners. I am forbidden from doing that shop again.