We often get comments that say we are expensive.

We are not inexpensive. But I wouldn’t say we are outrageous for the area. I’d also point out that we are buying the best product we can get. The best meat. The best seafood. The best produce.

You know prices have gone up if you’ve shopped for groceries lately.

We also occasionally get comments that our drinks are too expensive. Trust me. We are not. Our beers on tap are priced to sell considering they are all local craft beers.

Our competitors have drinks pushing 16, 17, 18 dollars an hour. We are not that expensive.

We had a guest comment a week ago or so complain about our wine costs. So much more than at the grocery store.

Why yes. Yes we are more expensive than the grocery store. That’s the way restaurants work. Our business model is very different.

You don’t carry the wine to a counter and pay for it then leave at a restaurant. You are seated, waited on hand and foot. A trained staff caters to your every need. A chef hand prepares the food you consume. A person clears and resets your table. The amount of staff needed is far more than a cashier.

Also most grocery stores don’t have views. They aren’t paying for high profile premium locations.

So yes. You could buy the wine cheaper at the store. But you’d also cook your own supper, clean up your own mess, take out your own garbage.

It defeats the reason we go out to eat in the first place.