Do you publish your menu?

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TheBeachHouse

TheBeachHouse

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I keep thinking that putting the menu on the website would be a good way to manage expectations. But does it then add pressure to us if, for some reason, the menu changes, or we run out of an ingredient or some other change?
Do you publish your menu? Do you call it a samply menu?
Second question - do you have a special menu on Sundays?
And if so, do you advertise that fact?
 
Too many factors to have a published menu. One is what do I feel like cooking! Sometimes I even change my mind in the morning! Why bother yourself? As soon as you do it you'll get a gluten free, vegan, and anything else they may throw at you.
 
Why bother to publish a menu unless it is a set thing and you will never change it. Otherwise don't waste your time. You are not a restaurant.
Most breakfasts we refer to as COOKS CHOICE, so guests always knew a day in advance what we were serving for breakfast as we posted it in our guest lounge. If they had a problem with something they were told to let us know.
Now if you have a BREAKFAST page on your website, you might just list some things you have served in the past as a sample. Or if as you say you ALWAYS have the same special breakfast on a Sunday, you could post that.
But I suspect you will hear something from a potential guest such as "I can't eat that!' :-(
 
EmptyNest said:
Why bother to publish a menu unless it is a set thing and you will never change it. Otherwise don't waste your time. You are not a restaurant.
Most breakfasts we refer to as COOKS CHOICE, so guests always knew a day in advance what we were serving for breakfast as we posted it in our guest lounge. If they had a problem with something they were told to let us know.
Now if you have a BREAKFAST page on your website, you might just list some things you have served in the past as a sample. Or if as you say you ALWAYS have the same special breakfast on a Sunday, you could post that.
But I suspect you will hear something from a potential guest such as "I can't eat that!' :-(.
Click to expand...
EmptyNest said:
Why bother to publish a menu unless it is a set thing and you will never change it. Otherwise don't waste your time. You are not a restaurant.
Most breakfasts we refer to as COOKS CHOICE, so guests always knew a day in advance what we were serving for breakfast as we posted it in our guest lounge. If they had a problem with something they were told to let us know.
Click to expand...
and I don't even want to know.
I am a person who cannot eat certain foods and I would let them know in advance, and if not, then suck it up. I won't try to change the whole breakfast for the whole place. I would eat whatever ELSE was on my plate and not THAT item.
My own mother knows of my reaction to THAT food and still puts it in things "Oh well I thought..." No Mom, not any, not ever.
heart.gif

 
Ice said:
Too many factors to have a published menu. One is what do I feel like cooking! Sometimes I even change my mind in the morning! Why bother yourself? As soon as you do it you'll get a gluten free, vegan, and anything else they may throw at you..
Click to expand...
I have a few things on my website, along with various pictures, but not a menu of what we serve daily. I think that's too strict for YOU. I often times cook whatever I find on sale, especially if it's a egg dish that has veggies. I think to give people an idea of what they can expect is good, but to try and tell them exactly what you serve is asking for trouble.
 
No published menu here. Guest order the night they arrive for the morning b'fast and every eve after. Given a choice of about 5 or so options and time as its "room service style" breakfast here.
 
What I serve depends on #1 - diet restrictions given (if any) #2 - what is in-house (supplied) #3 - my schedule #4 - what I feel like fixing #5 - what time do they want breakfast
I rarely say what I am making in the morning unless I know that with my schedule the next day or what is in-house this is what will be served.
 
Telling them in advance could put the thought in their head overnight and they wake up deciding they are not in the mood for that particular dish. Otherwise, just put it in front of them and they're more likely to eat it.
On our website, I have pictures of our most frequently served menu items and a list of our usual dishes. The guest usually ends up with one of these as we rotate through our regular menus. Usually don't know until morning of or as my head hits the pillow night before.
 
Wait, wasn't this thread about posting the menu for guests at the inn, not ON the website? Am i losing my mind?
DON'T ANSWER THAT! YES YOU! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!
 
We are a bit different, we may have to roll with the punches. In other words, change up the whole menu at the last minute...people show up even though asked many times about dietary restrictions and then throw a spanner into the mix. No gluten, no pork, no cheese, whatever...
It would be nice to have it up for guests, or if you wanted to do a turn down and mention breakfast is an over the top adjective-laden way... But knowing people, they would knock on your door and say "We can't eat eggs" You mean COOKED IN SOMETHING or EGGY as in scrambled? and so it begins...and never ends. People are fickle.
EDITED TO ADD:
Yes! SHARE IT ON YOUR WEBSITE, WITH PHOTOS. THE MORE THE MERRIER! THAT MAY GIVE YOU THE LEG UP OVER ANY OTHER HOTEL/B&B IN THE AREA! Then blog it, FB'it, Tweet it, etc...
 
I don't post a menu of what will be served on a specific day but I do describe a sample savoury and sample sweet breakfast on my website. I want prospective guests to have an inkling how much value the breakfast adds vs a hotel stay.
To answer your second question, we don't do anything different for Sundays but if you do, it's definitely worth mentioning on your website.
 
Joey Bloggs said:
We are a bit different, we may have to roll with the punches. In other words, change up the whole menu at the last minute...people show up even though asked many times about dietary restrictions and then throw a spanner into the mix. No gluten, no pork, no cheese, whatever...
It would be nice to have it up for guests, or if you wanted to do a turn down and mention breakfast is an over the top adjective-laden way... But knowing people, they would knock on your door and say "We can't eat eggs" You mean COOKED IN SOMETHING or EGGY as in scrambled? and so it begins...and never ends. People are fickle.
EDITED TO ADD:
Yes! SHARE IT ON YOUR WEBSITE, WITH PHOTOS. THE MORE THE MERRIER! THAT MAY GIVE YOU THE LEG UP OVER ANY OTHER HOTEL/B&B IN THE AREA! Then blog it, FB'it, Tweet it, etc....
Click to expand...
Joey Bloggs said:
We are a bit different, we may have to roll with the punches. In other words, change up the whole menu at the last minute...people show up even though asked many times about dietary restrictions and then throw a spanner into the mix. No gluten, no pork, no cheese, whatever...
It would be nice to have it up for guests, or if you wanted to do a turn down and mention breakfast is an over the top adjective-laden way... But knowing people, they would knock on your door and say "We can't eat eggs" You mean COOKED IN SOMETHING or EGGY as in scrambled? and so it begins...and never ends. People are fickle.
EDITED TO ADD:
Yes! SHARE IT ON YOUR WEBSITE, WITH PHOTOS. THE MORE THE MERRIER! THAT MAY GIVE YOU THE LEG UP OVER ANY OTHER HOTEL/B&B IN THE AREA! Then blog it, FB'it, Tweet it, etc...
Click to expand...
LOL you crack me up. Yes, I'm thinking in terms of: "Everyday, we offer a variety of fresh baked muffins and breads, including Anadama Bread; a variety of cereals, yogurt, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and tea everyday with weekend specials such as waffle bar, parfait bar and oatmeal bar. "
We have picture on our website. I will get a better one as the season gets busier.
 
I think 'menu' is your problem. A simple: We offer a variety of breakfast items, such as the following... Offerings change seasonally or as different items are available. This is only a sample.
You don't want the guests we had here as a group who assumed EVERYTHING on our breakfast page was what they were getting everyday. Yes, they thought there would be quiche, scrambled eggs, omelets, pancakes, french toast, fruits, breads, etc everyday. For 20 people.
 
Joey Bloggs said:
EmptyNest said:
Why bother to publish a menu unless it is a set thing and you will never change it. Otherwise don't waste your time. You are not a restaurant.
Most breakfasts we refer to as COOKS CHOICE, so guests always knew a day in advance what we were serving for breakfast as we posted it in our guest lounge. If they had a problem with something they were told to let us know.
Now if you have a BREAKFAST page on your website, you might just list some things you have served in the past as a sample. Or if as you say you ALWAYS have the same special breakfast on a Sunday, you could post that.
But I suspect you will hear something from a potential guest such as "I can't eat that!' :-(.
Click to expand...
EmptyNest said:
Why bother to publish a menu unless it is a set thing and you will never change it. Otherwise don't waste your time. You are not a restaurant.
Most breakfasts we refer to as COOKS CHOICE, so guests always knew a day in advance what we were serving for breakfast as we posted it in our guest lounge. If they had a problem with something they were told to let us know.
Click to expand...
and I don't even want to know.
I am a person who cannot eat certain foods and I would let them know in advance, and if not, then suck it up. I won't try to change the whole breakfast for the whole place. I would eat whatever ELSE was on my plate and not THAT item.
My own mother knows of my reaction to THAT food and still puts it in things "Oh well I thought..." No Mom, not any, not ever.
heart.gif

.
Click to expand...
Joey Bloggs said:
My own mother knows of my reaction to THAT food and still puts it in things "Oh well I thought..." No Mom, not any, not ever.
heart.gif
Click to expand...
My mom - STILL???
Yes, mom, I STILL don't eat that.
 
K9 said:
Telling them in advance could put the thought in their head overnight and they wake up deciding they are not in the mood for that particular dish. Otherwise, just put it in front of them and they're more likely to eat it.
On our website, I have pictures of our most frequently served menu items and a list of our usual dishes. The guest usually ends up with one of these as we rotate through our regular menus. Usually don't know until morning of or as my head hits the pillow night before..
Click to expand...
K9 said:
Telling them in advance could put the thought in their head overnight and they wake up deciding they are not in the mood for that particular dish. Otherwise, just put it in front of them and they're more likely to eat it.
Click to expand...
YES! We have found since we stopped posting the menu for the morning that fewer people 'suddenly' can't eat that. If you CAN eat it at 4 PM when you check in, why can't you eat it at 8 AM when it's served? Because you've had time to think it over.
However, I am still peeved about guests who say NOTHING and just push the food around on their plates.
 
K9 said:
Telling them in advance could put the thought in their head overnight and they wake up deciding they are not in the mood for that particular dish. Otherwise, just put it in front of them and they're more likely to eat it.
On our website, I have pictures of our most frequently served menu items and a list of our usual dishes. The guest usually ends up with one of these as we rotate through our regular menus. Usually don't know until morning of or as my head hits the pillow night before..
Click to expand...
K9 said:
Usually don't know until morning of or as my head hits the pillow night before.
Click to expand...
Have you had the guest who calls 3 months in advance and wants to know exactly what you will be serving on every day of their stay? When I say, 'It's really up to the cook the day before and what he finds at the market,' they are STUNNED that this is not all planned out months in advance!
 
TheBeachHouse said:
Joey Bloggs said:
We are a bit different, we may have to roll with the punches. In other words, change up the whole menu at the last minute...people show up even though asked many times about dietary restrictions and then throw a spanner into the mix. No gluten, no pork, no cheese, whatever...
It would be nice to have it up for guests, or if you wanted to do a turn down and mention breakfast is an over the top adjective-laden way... But knowing people, they would knock on your door and say "We can't eat eggs" You mean COOKED IN SOMETHING or EGGY as in scrambled? and so it begins...and never ends. People are fickle.
EDITED TO ADD:
Yes! SHARE IT ON YOUR WEBSITE, WITH PHOTOS. THE MORE THE MERRIER! THAT MAY GIVE YOU THE LEG UP OVER ANY OTHER HOTEL/B&B IN THE AREA! Then blog it, FB'it, Tweet it, etc....
Click to expand...
Joey Bloggs said:
We are a bit different, we may have to roll with the punches. In other words, change up the whole menu at the last minute...people show up even though asked many times about dietary restrictions and then throw a spanner into the mix. No gluten, no pork, no cheese, whatever...
It would be nice to have it up for guests, or if you wanted to do a turn down and mention breakfast is an over the top adjective-laden way... But knowing people, they would knock on your door and say "We can't eat eggs" You mean COOKED IN SOMETHING or EGGY as in scrambled? and so it begins...and never ends. People are fickle.
EDITED TO ADD:
Yes! SHARE IT ON YOUR WEBSITE, WITH PHOTOS. THE MORE THE MERRIER! THAT MAY GIVE YOU THE LEG UP OVER ANY OTHER HOTEL/B&B IN THE AREA! Then blog it, FB'it, Tweet it, etc...
Click to expand...
LOL you crack me up. Yes, I'm thinking in terms of: "Everyday, we offer a variety of fresh baked muffins and breads, including Anadama Bread; a variety of cereals, yogurt, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and tea everyday with weekend specials such as waffle bar, parfait bar and oatmeal bar. "
We have picture on our website. I will get a better one as the season gets busier.
.
Click to expand...
hmmm...if I'm paying the same rate midweek, I'd want the waffle bar also!
 
We simply state that breakfast changes daily and is always chef's choice and here is a sampling of things we have served.
Nothing special on Sunday, in fact, we try to use what's seasonal, so even though I have at least 14 different breakfasts, it's closer to 25 or so, since some aren't made during certain seasons, because of lack of produce or products.
For example, just after Christmas is when we get pannetone off-price and we use it for FT. Never available any other time of year.
Nothing special on Sunday. Every day is special. Once a year we break out a bottle of bubbly, but it's also our most expensive day, we double our daily price.
 
Sugar Bear said:
We simply state that breakfast changes daily and is always chef's choice and here is a sampling of things we have served.
Nothing special on Sunday, in fact, we try to use what's seasonal, so even though I have at least 14 different breakfasts, it's closer to 25 or so, since some aren't made during certain seasons, because of lack of produce or products.
For example, just after Christmas is when we get pannetone off-price and we use it for FT. Never available any other time of year.
Nothing special on Sunday. Every day is special. Once a year we break out a bottle of bubbly, but it's also our most expensive day, we double our daily price..
Click to expand...
Ditto. Our breakfast changes every day 7 days a week. For the most part it is chef choice.
 
Sugar Bear said:
We simply state that breakfast changes daily and is always chef's choice and here is a sampling of things we have served.
Nothing special on Sunday, in fact, we try to use what's seasonal, so even though I have at least 14 different breakfasts, it's closer to 25 or so, since some aren't made during certain seasons, because of lack of produce or products.
For example, just after Christmas is when we get pannetone off-price and we use it for FT. Never available any other time of year.
Nothing special on Sunday. Every day is special. Once a year we break out a bottle of bubbly, but it's also our most expensive day, we double our daily price..
Click to expand...
Sugar Bear said:
We simply state that breakfast changes daily and is always chef's choice and here is a sampling of things we have served.
Nothing special on Sunday, in fact, we try to use what's seasonal, so even though I have at least 14 different breakfasts, it's closer to 25 or so, since some aren't made during certain seasons, because of lack of produce or products.
For example, just after Christmas is when we get pannetone off-price and we use it for FT. Never available any other time of year.
Nothing special on Sunday. Every day is special. Once a year we break out a bottle of bubbly, but it's also our most expensive day, we double our daily price.
Click to expand...
If we doubled our price on "champagne day" we would be accused of illegally selling alcohol. We do surprise people with champagne if called for - honeymoon, New Year's Eve. But it has to be truly no charge.
 

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