The Concierge Wants To Help
Q. Ilene, it seems without meaning to be rude that your budget for dining out is beyond your average reader. I'm 35, live in Culver City and work as a women's store manager on Robertson Blvd. Most of the restaurants you write about are out of what me and my friends can afford. I wish we could go to many of them. I love Top Chef on TV but till then, will you be writing about places that are really good but not as high end? Thank you. (Name withheld)
A. First, thanks for writing and for being real. This is a huge topic for me and one that I someday hope to write about in Depth on a separate blog. My own friends have often asked about how I manage what has been called a "Mercedes life on a Toyota budget!" They're referencing more than my meals -- add to it my wardrobe, trips, concerts, theater, movies, memberships and you get the idea. My adrenaline is fueled by this question because I live it.
Your short answer is "Yes." I have written about some Deals, including the amazingly priced Deluxe Thanksgiving outing last week as well as the post on BYOB's (11/22) and of course, the burger poll (10/31). I will Definitely keep your concern in mind moving forward.
The long answer follows. Just peek at it in Doses. I think I can put lots of pennies back in your piggy bank. Know this, Dining is my hobby; no expense accounts for this blogger! Aside from writing, I too work for a living and carve out excitement by parceling my paycheck. My inner voice has Directed me as Tim Gunn would, "Make it work!" If having a magnificent meal out is a soulful experience for you, here are some tips for Discounts and ways to prioritize expenses.

2. Open Table. Not all, but nearly every outstanding restaurant uses the Open Table service for reservations garnering you 100 points per reservation. 2000 points gets you an Open Table check in the mail for $20. Are you thinking that you'll never make it to 20 restaurants? Look closely and you'll see that some places offer 1000 points at off-times. I scope out the 1000 point tables weekly. If I go to two a week, that's $20 in the mail. You can figure out the other math iterations, but it's a lift when that check arrives. You have to Dine smartly with these or you're not beating the system; it's beating you. Let's say you see 1000 points at a killer Italian restaurant at 6:30 (I did this a few times with Gusto), then plan to meet a friend and have one salad and two pasta Dishes. Dinner costs you maybe $25 each and you're halfway to a $20 Open Table check. Also, always offer to be the one who makes the reservation. Even if your parents are going out, make the reservation for them in your name. I became a hotel concierge (without the hotel) for my friends years ago. I give them choices of restaurants that I think will fit their occasion and in return, they let me make the rez. Guess who gets the points?
Groupon just added a fantastic feature called Groupon Reserve -- no dollars up front. Check it out. I have an upcoming reservation at Chaya Brasserie and will get 30% off the bill.
4. DineLA. Sure, it's only two or three times a year but if you've been Dying to go to Craft (after all, you did mention Top Chef), Bazaar, Lucques, or Picca, they all participated last time, not to mention the hundreds of others. The $35 three course Dinners are a steal. Mark your calendars. The next DineLA is January 20-31, 2014. And while you're at it, reserve on Open Table and add points!
My Birthday Dinner 2013 |
And thank you again for bringing a very real question to the table (cheap pun)!
I've scratched the surface. Maybe some others of you have some ideas to add. Any Discount offers to great spots that I missed? Credit card offers?
Groupon Reserve! Didn't even know about that. Love it! And will def check it out. Not adding to the list, but I will share that we recently used Living Social to get a restaurant deal for 1 app, 2 entrees, 2 drinks, and 1 dessert. Good food, great savings (brought the bill down to an amount we were more than fine with spending), and introduced us to a restaurant that wasn't already in our rotation. :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent Ginette! It's a win-win for diner and restaurant. Thanks for the share. :)
ReplyDeleteFrequent flyer programs like US Air dividend miles dining is cool. Easy to use.
ReplyDeleteRight, I forgot about Frequent Flyer programs and I actually have that USAirways one! Thanks. And speaking of travel, today on TravelZoo Los Angeles, there's a $49 full - and really full - dinner for two with wine at Nonna. I've never been there but the reviews look pretty good and that's a great price.
ReplyDeleteFabulous tips Wendy - Thanks!! Always love reading your blogs-
ReplyDeleteThanks SO much. That's really great to hear and I really appreciate that you let me know. :)
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all of your tips in one place-- you know how to work it! One thing I used to do to save $$ (before that pesky toddler got in the way of all my dining out) on meals was to do lunch instead of dinner. Many sushi restaurants (Kiriko) have amazing omakase offerings at a discounted price during lunch times.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!! YES! Oh, next time you stop back here, drop some more names that offer discounts. Also places like AOC have gorgeous lunches - like their Foccacia Sandwiches w/ fries or salad for $14!
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