Love eating out? Get ready to cough up more

Prices are on the rise. And yet again, the soaring prices of fruits and vegetables are forcing hotel owners to rethink the prices on the menu, which means, the next time you plan to  eat out, carry loads of currency to be on the safer side.

Arguing their case, hotelier, Vasudev Adiga, said the continuous rise in prices of essential commodities was forcing Darshini owners to step up food prices. “There has been a 200% hike in prices of fruits and vegetables over the past few months. We are left with no choice but to increase the price of meals,” he asked.
Prices of essential, every day commodities like tomatoes, onions, potatoes, toor dal, cashews, cooking oil, milk and milk products have seen a tremendous rise in the past six months alone.

“Though the price fluctuation has remained constant for about a year, we refrained from increasing the prices. But now, since the price rise is jarring, we are forced to reconsider our prices,” he said.

Added to this, Adiga said, was the shortage of labour which resulted in increased spending for wages, increasing the overall expense. The cost eventually passes on to the consumers.
However, the menu won’t scare foodies away since
the hike would be minimal.

For instance, he explained, a plate of idlis that would normally cost Rs 16 to 18 at Darshinis might now cost a rupee or two more. “Anyway, the prices in Bangalore are relatively low when compared to other cities,” he added.

On the other hand, homemakers felt the price rise of essential commodities has become a frequent phenomenon.

“Every other day, the prices of fruits and vegetables go up. This has a cascading effect on food at hotels and restaurants too. There needs to be some stability,” said housewife, Anu Cherian.
However, there is a section of people who felt the pinch but was not really perturbed by the rising prices.

“Every time I step out, I find prices have shot up. The prices of fruits and vegetables are ever-changing and subsequently the prices of dishes at restaurants also rise. But that doesn’t mean we will stop buying fruits and veggies, nor does it mean we stop eating out,” said working professional Neeta Garg.