Indulge! It's cheaper now to eat out

Local restaurants have introduced affordable deals to ensure that, even without as much money in their pockets, people can still indulge.

In East London, all-you-can-eat buffets are taking the place of pricey à la carte meals, and some outlets offer discounts based on loyalty schemes.

Restaurants in the United States have resorted to scaling down their menus, too, with Fortune Magazine reporting that top restaurants are offering budget options or value deals just to get customers in the door.

In New York, top lunch spot Café Boulud is offering a three-course meal for just over US$24, less than half the price of ordering à la carte.

In East London's Vincent Park shopping centre, Avanti Bistro owner Michael Butcher said he had found the market to be a bit “schizophrenic” at the moment, with really busy moments followed by quiet periods, making staffing and forward planning a bit tricky.

However, he said, they had seen the period as an opportunity to reconsider their operation.

“We are finding that our customers are looking for value for money and an escape from financial worries, even if it is for an hour or two,” said Butcher.

In line with the value-for-money ideal, his restaurant has introduced a budget-busting buffet option, where customers help themselves to a meal of the day with salads for R40.

Down at Latimer's Landing, Ballyhoo Bistro owner Eugene Gower said some aspects of their business, like their spit braai functions, had seen a decline in customers.

To counteract it they had introduced deals for specific days of the week.

These included “Eat all you can” for R99, with either the spare ribs special or the prawn and calamari combos.

“Patrons want value for money,” he said.

East London Mugg & Bean restaurant manager Rory Vickers said they were always looking for new and innovative ways to keep up with trends, and changing their menu every six months has ensured that their customers were satisfied.

“We see this recession as an opportunity to assist our customers to break away from it while we still maintain value for money.”

He said they had introduced Wednesday night live music, accompanied by a rib and wing combo with complimentary beer for under R65, while on Thursday nights children eat for free.

They also had a loyalty card system where customers have 5% of their bill credited to their cards.

On the beachfront, Windmill Roadhouse owner Neophytos Kyriacou said: “Fast foods usually tend to benefit (as the less expensive) option rather than dining out at restaurants.”

But to keep the business alive, they had come up with added-value meals for individuals and families.

Source: Daily Dispatch

Published courtesy of