New menus equal higher prices

By Don Fowler
Posted 1/12/22

After spending over two months without an appetite, thanks to a great doctor and the wonders of modern medicine, my taste buds and desire to eat finally returned.

Because of a significant rise in …

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New menus equal higher prices

Posted

After spending over two months without an appetite, thanks to a great doctor and the wonders of modern medicine, my taste buds and desire to eat finally returned.

Because of a significant rise in my potassium levels, there are certain foods I cannot eat at this point in my recovery.

I made a list of my favorite foods and compared it with the foods I can not have. Ironically, they are a perfect match: Potatoes. Tomatoes. Coffee. Bananas. Alcohol. And other foods high in potassium.

The good news is that there are still foods low in potassium, like most fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish.

I’m even getting used to green tea.

And I’m gaining weight.

RETURNING TO RESTAURANTS

Returning to dining out has been a culture shock.

The first thing I noticed was brand new menus.

The reason became obvious.

The price of dining out has risen significantly.

Blame Covid. Blame the lack of enough help. Blame the distribution system.

One of my favorite restaurants had a number of $9.99 specials. Their new shiny menu. Lists my meatloaf now at $14.95. Quite a jump.

Remember when fast food French fries were a buck? Not anymore.

Joyce and I used to dine out for about $20. Then it went to $30.

Now we are lucky to get away with under $50 for a meal in a family type restaurant.

We keep a folder with our favorite take-out restaurant menus. They are rapidly being replaced with new ones listing across-the-board higher prices.

HOLD THE DESSERT

There are ways to cut costs when dining out.

  • Skip the drinks. Order water.
  • Some restaurants won’t bring bread or rolls unless you ask for the. Ask for them.
  • Check out the “smaller plates” or senior meals. They are usually adequate, especially at the restaurants that include a soup or salad.
  • Ask for a box to bring home uneaten food. Take the rolls; they throw them away. We usually have enough for another meal.
  • Skip dessert and appetizers.

In most restaurants these days waitpersons are doing double duty, waiting on more than their share of tables, and dealing with unsympathetic, demanding customers.

We noticed a sign on a restaurant door that actually asked their customers to be understanding of any delays in service, explaining that it was not the servers’ fault.

Be generous when tipping.

Dining out is one of the true pleasures in life, and Rhode Island is blessed with some of the finest restaurants in the state.

Let us do all we can to keep them in business.

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