Guy Orders Bottle of Wine for 'Thirty-Seven Fifty'. Turns Out to be $3,750.

Guy Orders Bottle of Wine for 'Thirty-Seven Fifty'. Turns Out to be $3,750.

A few weeks ago, Joe Lentini was at a business dinner with a few associates at Bobby Flay Steak at the Borgata in Atlantic City. The host of the dinner asked Lentini to order a bottle of wine. Not knowing much about it, he asked the server for her input. She pointed to a bottle on the menu and, not having his glasses, Lentini asked how much it cost. Her response, according to Lentini and others at the table, was “thirty-seven fifty.” So it came as quite a shock when, at the end of dinner, it turned out to actually cost $3,750.

The server and the restaurant, of course, claim they did nothing wrong. The best they could offer was to sell the bottle, which happened to be Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, at cost for $2,200—still quite a hard pill to swallow. And unless the group was trying to run an elaborate scam, there seem to be a few things wrong with the restaurant’s side of things—most glaringly of which being that the server should have clearly enunciated “three thousand, seven-hundred and fifty dollars” as the price of the wine.

Now, there are always two sides to every story—and no one outside of it really knows what happened—but taking the story at face value, it’s hard not to feel bad for someone who says they drink wine maybe once a month getting shafted with a $3,750 bottle. Even given that the servers are probably told to try to upsell the casino’s newly rich celebrants, if someone says they don’t know much about wine, why would anyone in their right mind suggest that price point (which turns out to be the second most expensive bottle on the restaurant’s list)? For a limited wine drinker, a $100 bottle may seem excessive.

On the flipside, should Lentini et al have known better? With any knowledge of a Bobby Flay restaurant—in a casino—and the kind of markup alcohol demands, most people would be surprised if you could get a box of Franzia at Bobby Flay Steak for $37.50.

Let this be a lesson to everyone—make sure you know what you’re ordering, especially if you’re out of your element. You probably won’t have a problem like this if you’re ordering wine at, say, Kraftwork, but if you find yourself in a restaurant on the pricier side, be sure to take a hard look at the menu and have your server be very clear about what you’re ordering if you have any kind of doubt. And don’t feel like you’re being cheap—it is always better to be clear about what you’re willing to pay and what you think is a good value than to end up $2,200 in the hole.

Let us know on Facebook or Twitter if anything like this has happened to you, and whether you think the diners are trying to pull a fast one or if they legitimately got ripped off.

Photo via Flickr


Tags: News, Wine
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Baltimore's Coolest Rooftop Bars for Summer Drinking

Baltimore's Coolest Rooftop Bars for Summer Drinking

Whether it's on warm summer nights or with the briskness of spring and fall evenings, drinking is often at its best when it's al fresco. ...read more ›

by Jennifer Waldera Jul 31, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Where to Drink Outside in Baltimore During Summer 2019

Where to Drink Outside in Baltimore During Summer 2019

Whether it's on the waterfront with seafood and crushes or on a dog-friendly deck with whiskey, outdoor drinking is a staple in this city....read more ›

by Jennifer Waldera May 14, 2019
Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 10, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close