How to Avoid a Costly Restaurant Bill

Strategic Servers

Specials are usually offered orally—and it’s not just because servers like to practice their memorization skills. Providing tasty descriptions of dishes off the menu means servers can omit prices (and they often do), and restaurants know that people won’t want to appear cheap by asking for pricing information. They also know that, statistically speaking, men on a date are more likely to accept a server’s offer for expensive wine, dessert, or après dinner drinks.