I accidentally ordered $28 worth of mac-n-cheese. Is there a graceful way out?

A. L. Katz  |  06:51 PM, Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Ah, the old City Bakery Surprise, as it's called in New York. What do you do when you find out at the register that the salad-bar pound-per-dollar rate is indexed to the price of gold? It's not as if you can put back each fried drumstick and cheesy elbow noodle. (If you were considering this, you're right, that's gross.)

Anyway, I've had the exact same experience. As I walked out, fuming, high-priced salad in hand, I wondered if I'd overlooked some great solution. But what was I going to do? Start a screaming fight with the management because I ignored their sign? Then I'm the jerk. All you can do is avoid getting fooled twice-that is, remember this buffet, and never go back. Or go back, but select only arugula, edible flowers, raw mushrooms, and air. Or get the tortilla soup, which is priced per cup. (Seriously, if you're near City Bakery, get the tortilla soup.)

Meanwhile, buffet owners, if you're reading this: for the love of all that is honest, hang up a sign that clearly announces your prices. If you charge $50/lb, you owe that information to your prospective customers so they can make their selection accordingly. Otherwise, I hope those prices are high enough to support you if most of those customers never come back.