All entries for Thursday 27 July 2006

Don't Supersize Me

With Tony Blair speaking out this week on how we should all take responsibility for our health (though he's looking decidedly peaky these days – perhaps a long rest is in order?) how come it's cheaper to buy more food than it is to buy less? I'm not joking. You couldn't make it up.

Last night I met a friend in Leamington for dinner at a lovely restaurant called Case Valle. On a hot, sunny evening, sitting in the covered conservatory area was a real pleasure. The homemade, non–chain food on offer sounded very tempting, particularly as there was a special early–evening offer: any rice or pasta plus salad and a drink for £9.99. We both decided to plump for the chicken and mushroom risotto. I asked for a starter sized portion, which the menu offered, knowing I rarely can chomp my way through a full restaurant plateful and the food just ends up in the bin.

But the bin was exactly where some of my risotto ended up. Apparently I couldn't order a smaller portion of risotto because starters weren't included in the offer. The cost of a starter–sized portion, a salad and a white wine spritzer came to well over £9.99. Now, although I'm trying to be more eco–friendly, reduce my food miles and eliminate waste, it seemed daft to pay more for less. I went for the £9.99 offer. So some of my huge portion of admittedly very delicious risotto went to waste.

Here's a suggestion: how's about restaurants routinely offering different sizes of portions at different prices? Eat less and pay less – think of all that food that wouldn't end up in the bin.

: 27 Jul 2006 17:24 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem