tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25875773.post7050463841414893697..comments2023-10-12T03:14:39.747-07:00Comments on The Liquid Muse: natalie@theliquidmuse.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05723331076451425503noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25875773.post-13226828311617106722007-11-12T07:41:00.000-08:002007-11-12T07:41:00.000-08:00Thanks for the comments, all. And, to answer a co...Thanks for the comments, all. And, to answer a couple of questions...<BR/><BR/>Indeed the disastrous exchange rate has something to do with the price of the cocktails. It now costs $1.48 to buy one Euro - so everything is quite a bit more expensive than normal. That said, the drinks were in the vacinity of 25 - 28 Euros. <BR/><BR/>As Dominik pointed out - this is not atypical in cities like Pars (when I worked there in 2002 and '03, drinks at chic places cost at least 20 Euros). The exchange rate is a killer,though.<BR/><BR/>And, Dominik, good point about 10% being customary in fine places in Europe. This is becoming a standard. However, that is a relatively new phenomenon, and really more expected in nice places (like the Ritz - much to my personal dismay, and making me feel more like an ass...).<BR/><BR/>Having worked as a young person in restaurants & bars in both France and Spain over stretches when I lived there (our dad is French so we spent a good bit of time over there) the "pour boire" is a new expectation, and mostly in chic, expensive places frequented by Americans.<BR/><BR/>And, yes, I would have loved to have met Peter Fields. I've heard so much about him. <BR/><BR/>Oh well, "la prochaine fois!" One more wonderful reason to return...natalie@theliquidmuse.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05723331076451425503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25875773.post-61769747739828804582007-11-11T19:51:00.000-08:002007-11-11T19:51:00.000-08:00Nice post, Natalie!Unfortunately you didn't met Co...Nice post, Natalie!<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately you didn't met Colin (Peter Fields) the designated head bartender! He is just a miracle of style and distinction!<BR/><BR/>The prices are quite unsurprising! In Europe you have a high cost - beverages (even champagne) are usually more expensive, you have labor cost, which are staggering high, and, and, and...<BR/><BR/>But may I upset you? Also in Europe bartenders rely on tips - however they are not used to get that much! Also in Europe it is impolite to give less than 10% tips, and don't reckon that the usual 10% service charge goes directly to the staff - if they are lucky enough, they are getting a small share...<BR/>Thats why in Europe you need quite a lot of idealism to work as (normal) bartender - even in great hotels with reputation!The Opinionated Alchemisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07311427618587127565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25875773.post-86547856155282689752007-11-11T07:49:00.000-08:002007-11-11T07:49:00.000-08:00Great post, sounds like a lovely place. Was the p...Great post, sounds like a lovely place. Was the price due to conversion rate?<BR/><BR/>Would think with the high cost of the cocktails a person could snap a photo or two. I mean come on now.<BR/><BR/>Were there very many people in the bar when you sipping with Mr. Hemmingway?<BR/><BR/><BR/>--JBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25875773.post-62210438273861098392007-11-11T07:32:00.000-08:002007-11-11T07:32:00.000-08:00Ooh la la....sounds just heavenly!!Ooh la la....sounds just heavenly!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com