Le Foret (Bringing a bottle of wine)

LINKThis is a couple years old but it says there is no corkage fee.

I personally don't care. Make up a story about the bottle.

Just don't skimp on the tip.

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Is that rude

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Not at all.

If they say they have a corkage, just pay it.

Yep! Offer a taste to your waitstaff and have a great night!

I brought a chateaneuf du pape that we laid down since our wedding...they could not have been nicer about it.

Nothing rude about it. Tip well and be their best customer of the night. That's what I always do...

It probably defeats your purpose, but one way to totally avoid any issue with corkage is just to buy a wine off the list. Its a good faith sign to the restaurant that you are a pro.

Wrong choice of words, really meant to say you are a restaurant pro, meaning you understand how the game is played. Even places with a corkage fee will often wave it if you buy a wine off their list. Of course, it shouldnt matter whether or not you understand how the game is played, but it does. At least, I think so.

Service in a restaurant at the end of the day is a prolonged conversation. Buying a wine off their list and bringing in your own, is a way of communicating "Hey, I really like this place enough to bring in this bottle I've been saving/is tailored to your food, but Im not trying to freeload."

And of course, always offer a taste.

Yep. I've only brought 2 bottles in to restaurants, and felt awkward both times, but they were meaningful to me. As I've gotten older, I'd like to think I don't care anymore but I probably would.

The truth is, I've served the very wealthy and probably middle of the road that have all done it. You just own it. Take care of the server and proceed. Not everybody is ordering the top of the menu and they don't have to. Doesn't mean they're rich or poor. Just be classy enough to take care of the servers and their time.