Options galore but price rise leaves a bitter taste

The year 2012 gave the city its fair share of new eateries. Food joints operating from places as small as 400 sq ft to the bigger and more elaborate ones offered city foodies a fine dining experience.

On the flipside, however, was an increase in the prices on the menu. Though the increase appeared marginal, it did spoil the fun for customers.

In a bid to attract more customers, a lot of new restaurants and food joints chose to combine Indian dishes with Chinese, Italian and Continental cuisines. The newly opened vegetarian restaurant Greenfield in Kalyaninagar serves Italian, Indian, Chinese, and Continental cuisines.

Owner Haider Ali said the restaurant with a seating capacity of 300 was opened with an aim to cater to a burgeoning population of vegetarians.

"We serve Italian, Indian, Chinese, and Continental cuisines. We opened a multi-cuisine restaurant because it gives us a better chance of doing brisk business as people have more options to choose from."

Though the new places gave people a chance to explore new dishes, there was also a substantial increase in the food prices.

Sanjay Singh, FnB Manager, Le Méridien, said, "Prices have gone up by around 10-15 per cent. But there are logical reasons behind it. Overhead costs have gone up. As a result, the prices too have increased. However, as the spending capacity of people has increased too, it is logical to expect a little rise in food prices. The food prices have increased only marginally."

Places like Olive Bistro and Hotel Ramee Grand, which opened this year, specifically reach out to those customers who are on the lookout not just for varied cuisines but also can afford to pay for it.

"Prices will rise because profit margins have fallen. However, customers do not complain much as the increase is marginal," said Ali.

... contd.

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