Message: | It is true that corkage fees have risen -- I believe that it is in part due to the rising costs of conducting business and the fact that usually, a chunk of profit is normally seen from alcohol sales. Comparing those profits with the shrinking profit margin from food and labor costs, I don't mind paying the corkage.
And, like Hoc indicated, by bringing in a different/better bottle than might be on their list, I also tend to get corkage fees waived -- especially if I share. Sometimes, though, the bottle does not necessarily have to be more expensive but just a bit more obscure. For example, I belong to several Wine of the Month clubs where I get bottles by virtue of being a member that the restaurants can't even buy through their distributors. They are not very expensive, but are just obsure enough to interest them...
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