|
Personal notes |
Other opinions
|
Couvert
|
"Couvert" was the reason for a strong controversy in Portugal, forcing the government to publish specific regulation, but it keeps originating some confusion. One day, someone alerted in VT for the risks of being charged "couvert" and another VTer showed her surprise, because "we are supposed to pay what we eat". Let´s clarify it: Many years ago, some restaurants decided to offer their customers small dishes with starters, to calm the client while the ordered meal was prepared. Those starters were not listed and not charged (of course, the meal's price would largely cover it). That "gentleness" was well received, and the use spread, even to restaurants whose price policy couldn't allow "the offer" and they started to charge it. That was the beginning of the controversy: "Why should I pay something I didn't order?" But things got worse, with restaurants charging "couvert" for... nothing. |
It was a sort of tax for sitting at the table.That was the time when the government interfered and produced the actual legislation.
What should you expect now?
Charging "couvert" is illegal. If someone puts something in your table that you didn't order, you don't have to consume (or pay) it, and may leave it untouched or ask the waiter to take it back.
Though the best keep "offering" some starters, you may expect to be charged for the articles that you started to eat, and only those (eating one olive means paying the whole dish, of course), if their price was listed in the menu.The strongest risk now, is that some restaurants try to charge everything that they brought to table, even the untouched items. That's illegal!
PS Another common practice is the offering of a "gentleness" at the end of your meal - there's no risk in that, except for your health (and, eventually, police control, if you're driving)
What should you expect now?
Charging "couvert" is illegal. If someone puts something in your table that you didn't order, you don't have to consume (or pay) it, and may leave it untouched or ask the waiter to take it back.
Though the best keep "offering" some starters, you may expect to be charged for the articles that you started to eat, and only those (eating one olive means paying the whole dish, of course), if their price was listed in the menu.The strongest risk now, is that some restaurants try to charge everything that they brought to table, even the untouched items. That's illegal!
PS Another common practice is the offering of a "gentleness" at the end of your meal - there's no risk in that, except for your health (and, eventually, police control, if you're driving)