Oh, prix fixe menus, the bane of adventurous diners everywhere. Why settle for the chef’s or restaurant owner’s preconceived notions of what you should eat when you could be blazing your own culinary trail? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not lighting up restaurants that are Prix Fixe 365 days a year. That’s their schtick, and if they can pull that off day after day, then fabulous.
What chaps my posterior netherregions are the restaurants that decide to go prix fixe on days like NYE or Valentine’s or other celebration days and then half-ass the attempt. And let’s be honest, there’s a lot of that. $100 a person for a cup of asparagus soup, chicken pasta, and a creme brulee is so wrong the culprit should be outed like a bandit on a Wanted poster. True story by the way.
First off, they’re mostly boring AF. With a prix fixe menu, you’re stuck with probably 3 or 4 selections of mains that the restaurant has already decided are the best options. One of those options is absolutely going to be some sort of steak, 
and another will be a fairly anonymous grilled fish or a chicken of some sort that masquades with a fu-fru Eurpean name. . That leaves room for maybe one or two creative dishes. Maybe? And less that than that if the menu bandit decides to make a special diet option. Where’s the fun in that? You’re paying good money for a dining experience, and you should be able to choose from a respectable range of options to create an experience… hopefully a memorial experience.
Secondly, they’re a ripoff. Sure, prix fixe menus may seem like a good deal at first glance, but in reality, you’re paying more than you would if you ordered a la carte. When was the last time that both you and your guest ordered individual aps? Some couples split a salad rather than fill up on rabbit food. Guilt… and you know you’re guilty too. And let’s not forget about the drinks – restaurants often charge exorbitant prices for wine pairings that you may not even like, typically at a price that’s on par with the meal price. Desserts? I’d say I order one 25% of the time tops, and never one dessert per person. Plus, you often even have fewer choices for appetizers or desserts than you get with the mains. It’s like being a kid again and having your mom make your plate for you.
And let’s not forget the tyranny of the prix fixe menu. With a set menu, you’re forced to eat things you may not like or could even be allergic to, and you don’t even have the option to swap them out. Don’t like seafood? Too bad, it’s on the menu. Hate cheese, or are you lactose intolerant? Well, you can have a second salad. Allergic to nuts? Tough luck. You’re at the mercy of the chef’s whims, and that’s never a good thing.
Next, holiday prix fixe menus can be hidden surprises. Some restaurants are clear on their website and booking service that they will be serving a reduced menu on particular days….. other restaurants do the minimum communication and dare you to go find another tough reservation at the last minute. If the latter happens to you, walk. Run if you can. I’m serious.
Finally, prix fixe menus are just plain lazy. Restaurants that offer prix fixe menus are essentially saying, “We can’t be bothered to come up with a unique menu for every customer, so here’s what we’re serving today.” It’s a cop-out and a way for restaurants to avoid the hard work of creating new and exciting dishes while managing food costs on a high-traffic day. At best, It’s like going to a concert, and the band only plays their greatest hits – sure, it’s nice to hear the classics. On its worst day, it becomes the reason you never go back.
In conclusion, (he says as if he’s feeling ministerial), prix fixe menus are a crappy trap for diners who prefer to have a unique, personalized dining experience. Don’t settle for someone else’s idea of a perfect meal – explore the menu, try new things, and create your own culinary adventure. And if a restaurant insists on offering a prix fixe menu, just remember: there are plenty of other restaurants out there that value your autonomy and creativity.
