Clark Girls

If Los Angeles is being ripped off, we aren't alone. A couple of weeks ago, Graydon Carter's new restaurant, Waverly Inn, continued its controversial path (no reservations, no one answers the phone -- Jesus, do they also trip you on the way in?) with news of a macaroni and cheese special with a very special price: $55.

The diner said he didn't realize that what was being shaved over his "tiny" entree wasn't Parmesan, but white truffle. A photo of the offending receipt made it to Consumerist and Eater, followed by discussion over whether or not the waiter said the word "truffle," if the diner just didn't hear.

To me, it's the wrong line of questioning. Presuming it was a truffle the waiter was shaving and not, say, a piece of balsa wood -- shouldn't the diner have been able to smell it?

Which is what I suggest you do the next time you're confronted with the possibility of paying $90 for a plate of spaghetti. Ask to see the truffle; inhale deeply. If all you get is a whiff of the waiter's Polo Black, get the Bolognese.

Posted at 09:06 PM | Permalin