| You should find a display of prices and what you get for them posted outside every restaurant. There is often a choice between one or more fixed-price menus (simply called a menu in French – the French word for "menu" in the English sense is carte), where the number of courses for the stated price is fixed and the choice accordingly limited. It's possible to find bargain lunchtime three-course menus for 12 or under, while in the evenings they usually start at 15. For around 23 you'll have a choice of more interesting cuisine, including, probably, some regional and other specialities, and once over 30 you should be getting some gourmet satisfaction. If you just want a main course it's worth looking out for the plat du jour (chef's daily special), which may be a regional dish. Eating à la carte, of course, gives you access to everything on offer, though you'll pay a fair bit more. The à la carte prices we give are for an average three-course meal with half a bottle of wine. One simple and perfectly legitimate ploy is to have just one course instead of the expected three or more. There is no minimum charge. Wine (vin) or a drink (boisson) may be included in the menu, though it's unlikely on menus less than 16. When ordering house wine (vin ordinaire), ask for un pichet (a small jug); they come in quarter-litre (un quart) or half-litre (un demi) sizes. A bottle of wine can easily add 14 to the bill. Service is legally included in your bill at all restaurants, bars and cafés, though it's considered polite to leave a tip of 1–2 at restaurants depending on the service and to round up your drinks bill at bars and cafés.
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