After returning from an amazing time in Europe, it’s hard not to think of how we might feel ripped off by the high prices of dining out in California. I heard someone say in Europe, that their belief is that dining out is a human right, and to charge exorbitant prices just wouldn’t hold up to their values. (Amen!)

However, before you start looking for reasons to move to Europe, here are five ways to beat the high prices of dining out in California that you may not find in Europe.

1.     Corkage Fee

For those of you who might ask, “What is a corkage fee?” When you see this at the bottom of the wine list, this is the fee they charge you for bringing in your own wine. If there is a special bottle you want to open at a nice restaurant, many, if not most, restaurants allow you to bring your own bottle for a minimal fee.

France and Italy did not offer corkage. Although most we noticed were inexpensive when we ordered a bottle of wine, we had to buy a bottle sold in the restaurant because there was no corkage fee, so we had to check in our bottles at the airport after searching for a wine box in Rome. (Heaven forbid we take a French bottle in Italy when ordering pasta anyway.)

Why not bring your own bottle at dinner in wine country? In Sonoma, many restaurants allow you to bring your own bottle and don’t charge you if it’s a bottle from a local winery. A bottle of wine at dinner can cost $40-$200 and up added to your bill.

At home, we love to find restaurants with no corkage fee. (Ka-ching!)

2.     Have The Mindset

In Europe, dining out is to eat good food; in California, it’s a little more than that. In Europe, they have price-fix menus typically for lunch but also maybe for dinner to simplify the ordering. Either they’ll offer a starter (appetizer) and the main dish or the main dish and the dessert and is priced accordingly for each person to order separately. Although inexpensive, you’re sold to just take the price-fix menu rather than a la carte.

We’ve gotten used to sharing dishes and have found that the experience is often the reason for fine dining experiences and not because we’re starving (although sometimes we are). The last time we had a romantic date, we ordered an incredible seafood appetizer, a huge steak with a side, a dessert, and had it with a bottle of wine we brought from home. It was plenty. (Why are you asking for a doggie bag only to sit in your fridge until you must throw it out?) Let me tell you, it was a romantic evening that didn’t break the bank in a lovely setting.

 The server was impressed!

3.     Know The Extra charges

There might not be a 15 to 20% tip in Europe, but a cover charge is sometimes added to your dining bill. Around 10% tax is added, then another pane e coperto, (or cover charge) is added. Even though there was a recent agreement in the EU to reduce the tax on eating out, you may see a few dollars of an added “cover charge.” In Europe, we were almost always paying for water, too.

Here in Los Angeles, it’s the additional charge for the server’s health insurance. I don’t have any issues with that, but I don’t go wherever this charge is. Many restaurants don’t charge extras, so why am I choosing to add this to my bill?

Often, Richard will know if we’re eating at a restaurant by reading the menu before sitting down or making a reservation. And for crying out loud, don’t pay any cover charges here in the States for music. That can be an additional $60 on your bill for two when music is just a tip.

4.     Look for good value, Not Trend.

Usually, when the chandeliers are looking like $1000 a piece, I know I’ll leave feeling like I’ve been had. Who you’re eating with is what is important, not what the curtains are made of, so know ahead of time by doing your research. The fancy chairs won’t add to your experience. (Trust me.)

There are a lot of great restaurants that offer great value. Look for happy hours, special-night dining, no corkage fees to take your booze, and even simple menus at family-owned establishments. You can’t get away with those offers in Europe because most of these don't exist, and if you’re a wine drinker and collect wine, you’re looking for these shortcuts unless budget is no issue.

5.     Ask your server.

This is no surprise. However, this can be a challenge in Europe as some servers do not speak English well, so you’ll just take what you can get. Here in the States, don’t be shy to ask what the best dish is and how big the portion sizes are. Most servers will tell you how much is enough and if you’re overdoing it, which is easy to do.

The key to dining in wine country is that you’re trying signature dishes, just like we were trying as many pasta dishes as we could in Italy. The chef is trying to get you to know what she does best

It’s the sausage ravioli at Catelli’s in Geyserville, the Diavola pizza at Diavola’s, the fried chicken at The Madrona, the Paella at Brava’s, etc. You may not be in the mood for these when you’re there, but you get the idea. What are you trying when sitting amongst great friends and/or family to experience together?

When traveling, a lot of people also save by purchasing groceries at the local store and eating in their hosted apartment as if at home. When I reserved our places to stay with an outdoor patio, I had no idea how lovely it would be to dine in on vacation!

That’s the idea. And the easiest on your wallet.

What are your suggestions because I know there are many more!