My husband and I do not go in for a lot of chain restaurants, but every so often we hit Maggiano's. Our motivation is the $10 coupon. If you go to the Maggiano's web site and sign up to receive occasional emails from them, they will send you a $10 coupon (must spend $20 in food to redeem). You will also receive $10 coupons around your birthday and anniversary. Not too shabby. Last night we split a half order of the Fried Mozzarella with Marinara ($3.95). I selected the half order of the Chopped Salad with Chicken, Avocado Slices, and Crispy Proscuitto (hold the Bleu Cheese for me) ($7.95). My hubby went for the half order of Spaghetti with Sausage and Meat Sauce ($11.50). Iced water for me (free!) and iced tea for him ($2.50). With taxes, tip, and coupon the final tally was $21.95. And I have leftover spaghetti for lunch!
A note about the wine list. Maggiano's has an extensive list and some well-known labels. Because the labels are so well-known, the retail prices are well-known. While most restaurants mark up wines to double retail, Maggiano's prices go well beyond that mark. Even the upper end wines are more than double retail. With prices being so exorbitant, we generally pass on the wine.
2 comments:
Maggiano's wine list is decent - but nothing to brag about. What's more, most of the servers there seem to have limited experience with the wine list. It is rare that we get a good wine recommendation from the server.
We rarely hit the chain restaurants in town ourselves but we ended up at Tripp's (on Broad St.) the other night.
The meal was fine but I was pleased with the wine list - especially the prices. Their "by the glass" prices are OUTRAGEOUS - buying by the bottle offers a much greater value.
They were out of my first choice so we ordered a bottle of Greg Norman's 2003 Limestone Coast Cabernet Merlot. It retails anywhere from $14 to $21. We paid $23.99 at Tripp's.
Most of the lower end wines on the list had a higher profit margin built in - the better values were definitely at the upper end of their cellar.
So, if you're hitting a chain restaurant in town and want to order some wine, definitely give Tripp's a try.
Hey Tripp!
Thanks for the comment. I've never been to Tripp's, but will have to check it out.
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