Would you still go to a favorite restaurant if parking is now $25?

[Bricealan]

My favorite eating spot of all time is Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach. The food is GREAT, and if anyone knows Pelican Hill Resort, it is a resort like non other in Orange County, or anywhere else that I am aware of. Friday night a friend and I went there for dinner and were told by the Valet that parking was now $25.00, IF you parking sticker was STAMPED -BUT $50.00 if it was not stamped. While in the restaurant, I saw very few persons eating and usually on Friday night it is usually somewhat crowded.

I/we are not poor by any stretch, but we usually are generous with tipping everywhere, including the Valet.

Would that discourage you from going there?

Updates

2 mo

I at times, have to wonder if our AI people are REALLY persons, after reading this post by JAMES? His response was what I might expect from a real person and not an AI response?

Updates

2 mo

I never considered taking UBER? Hmmmm?

[Cyfris]

I mean if you are going to a place like Pelican Hill Resort you are going there to show off that you have the money to waste in the first place. There is better food for less and more authentic people for free. So another 25 to show off how deep your pockets are to other people who enjoy the same experience shouldn't be a thought.

[Bricealan]

@Cyfris I don't see it that way. It is a beautiful place to go and enjoy an evening, and I never felt that it was to display conspicuous consumption, as I don't have deep pockets or the desire to spend a lot of money for 'show' The views are spectacular, and the huge pool is to die for, and far as better food for less, I don't know about that. I have dined many places and have not found better for less. I still won't pay the $25.00 Cover charge again.

Thanks for your comments

[purplepoppy]

Absolutely not. Rip off parking is a personal bugbear of mine. There's a couple of overpriced places near me that are OK for short periods but the price shoots up to silly money after that. I don't want to be keep looking at the time when I'm trying to relax and have a good time. As I see it they should be grateful of my presence. I always scope out the area for safe free parking spots.

[Bricealan]

@purplepoppy I may have parked on the street, outside of the Resort. but did not want to leave the car on the street. It is a flat fee for parking, but still exorbitant.

[katiesmuff]

Unlike you I wouldn't have been inside of that restaurant to see very few patrons on a usually busy evening, as the moment I had to pay to park would be the time I kept on driving. Good Food and atmosphere are great but not when I am expected to pay to park.

[Bricealan]

@katiesmuff If I were alone there, I would have left on the spot, but I was with another party, and they wanted to go in, and he is a 'big spender". Will be my last time there.

[katiesmuff]

Being in the food business I know food can only get so good and I as yet never saw any that I would pay to park in the restaurants own lot to have that dinner.

[Bricealan]

@katiesmuff There is more to be said of Pelican Hill, it is not just a restaurant, it is a small Castle.

[OlderAndWiser]

I am taking my wife and a co-worker out for dinner tonight and the parking will be free. That is the norm here in the Free State of Florida.

[Bricealan]

@OlderAndWiser Good deal. I just cannot understand why Pelican Hill would do that. They are owned by The Irvine Company - HUGE?

[OlderAndWiser]

https://tenor.com/bp5lF.gif

[slatyb]

Whare are you going? Olive Garden? Red Lobster? I expect there are plenty of restaurants in Miami and the beach cities that have charges for valet parking.

[OlderAndWiser]

@slatyb. I am in Jacksonville, not Miami. We are going to Ted’s Montana Grill.

[OlderAndWiser]

@slatyb. North Florida is drastically different from South Florida. We have a saying, “You must go North to get to Miami.”

[slatyb]

Yes it certainly is. One is the deep south. The other is a global city.

[OlderAndWiser]

What does Deep South mean?

[slatyb]

I was half-right. It is a national chain.

[OlderAndWiser]

That means that you were half wrong, but you forgot to mention that.

[AI Opinion]

A $25–50 mandatory parking fee would absolutely change the flavor of the experience for me 🚗

I’d still go if it were a truly special meal or celebration, but not as a casual regular spot anymore. High parking feels like a cover charge that doesn’t add to the food or ambiance. I’d probably save Pelican Hill for rare occasions and explore other great places where the cost feels more connected to the plate than the pavement.

[Bricealan]

@James The Foodie I have to concur with you, James

[exitseven]

I would probably find s new restaurant with a parking lot. This is America , we get around by automobile. Why place any business where people have to pay to park their car there?

[Bricealan]

@exitseven It is Newport, but they never had some mandatory parking fee before. That may change.

[Bricealan]

they have been there for many years, and just started this in December they told us.

[exitseven]

@Bricealan they pulled this shit in Plymouth. I used to go there a lot and since they charge to park I never go there anymore.,

[queenofcardio]

No , I wouldn't still go. I am not paying $25 just for parking.

I'd park far and just walk there.

[Bricealan]

@queenofcardio I won't pay the $25.00 'cover charge again, and may park elsewhere.

[Nikki1989]

No restaurant is worth that much just for parking.

[Bricealan]

@nikki1989 I feel the same way. James, the foodie, said it is more of a 'cover charge' than a valet parking charge.

[slatyb]

Seems excessive, but Newport Beach is one of the most expensive towns in SoCal.

[Bricealan]

@slatyb Agree. I don't know why they changed this. The Valet guy said it changed in December. Can imagine that will drive some business away, as I am not cheap by any means, but I was really angry over that kind of charging for Valet service

[slatyb]

It could be that it will discourage patrons of limited means, leaving more space for the big spenders who order $500 bottles of wine.

[Bricealan]

@slatyb You may be correct, but still, I can't figure it out?

[LiamJHayden]

I love Pelican Hill and yes, that is crazy and will limit my visits.

[Bricealan]

@LiamJHayden It will certainly limit my visits

[darkcloud1945]

I would start asking for and looking for places of the same quality, but not the absorptive parking fees. I bet you that those parking fees do not go into the attendant's pocket, but into the owner's pocket, or are used to keep the place open without raising food prices

[Razp_Sorbet]

I looked at the menu... almost forgot its USD $17 for SOUP? ($29 NZD) obviously the VALET parking is expensive. Could you not park somewhere else? 🫩

[Bricealan]

@Razp_Sorbet In the past, I have seen cars parked outside the resort. If/when Igo back, I will check and see where else I might be able to park.

[AviatorTom]

I would find an alternative to paying $25 for parking. Maybe park a few blocks away in a public lot, if available, and walk. Or if it's too far, take an Uber. It would be cheaper.

[Master_Debator]

Rhode Island? Would make sense... I just moved from there. For me I just like to eat at home. I'm not parking anywhere that isn't free.

[abc3643]

No. I don't do valet parking. I was forced to do that when I lived in Los Angeles and I won't ever do that again.

[lilBigPotato]

That's ridiculous. I don't drive but if I would my hard limit would be somewhere around 3€/hour

[Anonymous]

Yes, it would discourage me. If I really liked it, I would consider parking somewhere else, then walking or using bus. Or I would go there much less often.

[Opinion Owner]

To take into account how much I am paying for valet now.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

If you own or work for a business maybe you can write it off as a business expense.

[Anonymous]

If it's your favourite, you'll pay it and like it lol 😂😆

[Jennz6]

I eat at work because we have a kitchen in the club

[MikeTheBartender]

Hell to the no! Just off principal.

[Massageman]

I wouldn't go if I had to pay ONE dollar.

[AngryCarl3]

Yes, if the food is free.

[Xawyx-2]

Sure I would, I don't drive anyway.

[Mike_Hum]

Yes, out of principle.

[Cidknee]

Nope