Is cash still king?
As the world becomes increasingly cashless & digital, the use of card payments has become the norm. It's convenient, easy, and fast, but have you ever wondered about the charges that banks place upon card payments? We know it can be easy to forget about the benefits that come with using physical currency. From the perspective of independent businesses, such as your favourite PIE restaurant & bar, it's waaaaaay preferable to receive cash payments over card payments for a variety of reasons. Let’s look at why cash truly is king in the restaurant industry.
Firstly, and most importantly, accepting cash means that the restaurant doesn't have to pay fees to a third-party card processing company. For small, independent businesses, every penny counts, and these processing fees can add up over time. When you pay with cash, we don’t have to worry about any additional charges. Don’t forget, we need all that money to pay the tax man!
Banks make money from card payments by charging a percentage of the transaction amount or a fixed fee. As a business owner, we have to pay these fees every time a customer makes a payment using their card. Depending on the payment processor you use, the percentage charged by the bank can range from 1% to 3%, and the fixed fee can be as high as €3 per transaction. These fees can add up quickly, especially if like us, most of our customers pay by card. Let’s all thank Fiona Edmunds for her example below. She’s talking in Australian dollars, but the logic applies here too.
Secondly, cash transactions are faster and more efficient. With card payments, there's often a delay between when the customer pays and when the money is deposited into the restaurant's account. This can cause cash flow issues and make it difficult to manage finances. With cash, the transaction is immediate, and the restaurant can easily keep track of their earnings.
Thirdly, accepting cash can help protect us all from fraud. While card payments are convenient, they come with risks, such as chargebacks and fraudulent transactions. By only accepting cash, we can avoid these issues altogether.
And cash is universally accepted. We accept most cards, but when you pay by cash there's no need to worry about whether your card will be accepted. This can be particularly helpful for small, independent businesses that may not have the resources to invest in expensive card processing equipment or accept a wide range of credit cards. And we’re not quite set up to accept Dogecoin yet either, soz crypto fans.
Of course, we still accept your plastic here at PIE Lagos. We know it's not always easy to remember to grab some cash before you arrive, and sometimes it's just easier and more convenient to use your card or your phone to pay. But, if you can, do remember that CASH truly is KING especially for small businesses. WE APPRECIATE IT!
Allergies. Intolerances. Preferences
Uber Eats and Me!
5 reasons why we’ve succumbed to the mighty Uber Eats.
You can now find us on Uber Eats! Find us on the app, or order directly through our website:
1. We know the feeling. You’re hungover. You’re sitting at home in your pants (Brad). You’re starving. You’re feeling weird and anti-social and you can’t face the thought of going outside or even talking to anyone on the phone. You want someone to bring you a giant pie, with no questions asked. UBER EATS
2. We are moving with the times and embracing this ridiculous modern world. It’s with some regret that we have to face up to the stark reality… it’s not the 90’s anymore. Gone are the days of having a drawer in the kitchen filled with takeaway menus. This is how we live now. UBER EATS
3. Uber Eats is a worldwide success. No other food delivery platform has grown globally, or is a popular with…well, everyone. The app scores almost perfectly in the App Store and Google Play. We can’t get enough. There is no minimum order amount, the app is easy to use, and you can switch seamlessly from your taxi needs to your food needs. You can pre-order. You can take the app anywhere and use it on holiday. And all you need is your phone. UBER EATS
4. COVID. Yuk. We hate to even bring it up. But the truth is that the world is a different place now. Ensuring our customers have a variety of options for when they want to enjoy some of our tasty grub is essential. Besides, have you tried going out for dinner recently while you’ve got the sniffles? Is hay fever giving you uncontrollable sneezing fits? If you want to avoid those judgmental stares maybe you’d just like to enjoy your pie in the comfort of your own home….?! UBER EATS
5. Things still aren’t back to normal for hospitality and tourism… we are hoping to reach new customers and spread the PIE word to anyone who might have missed out so far. Because, you know, we need the money! UBER EATS!
What your favourite pie says about you
What does your favourite pie say about you?
We’ve all got a fave. Yes – they are all delicious, but there’s always one that we keep coming back to. It’s time to face some stone-cold facts* about what your favourite pie filling says about your personality. Can you handle the truth?**
*Obviously, not facts.
**Again, we can’t guarantee 100% accuracy here
Steak
The Traditional one. Also loves a warm cozy pub and a roaring fire. Craft beer over lager every time. Favourite bands are from the 70s and 80s cos they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. Likes things that last and definitely owns a pair of jeans or a hoodie that’s over 10 years old and still going strong. Powerful. Very attractive. Probably in need of a drink and a pie right about now.
Chicken
The Popular one. The people-pleaser. Gets on with everyone, hates conflict, and has no idea why we all can’t just get along all the time. Loves an afternoon cocktail and will always be the first person on the dancefloor. Fun to be around. Always inclined to order a round of shots for everyone at around 10pm. Super fun. Very attractive. Probably in need of a drink and a pie right about now.
Fish
The Comfortable one. Loves relaxation. Was a cat in a past life. Needs to eat regularly or at risk of getting hangry. Owns many pairs of pajamas. Avoids stressful situations at any cost. Finds it difficult to say no to wine and cake and has serious questions about whether it’s still acceptable to want a butler. Luxurious. Very attractive. Probably in need of a drink and a pie right about now.
Veggie
The Boho one. Knits their own clothes. Laid back, but not about climate change or farming practices. Healthy. Will totally give you recipes for the best smoothies. Into Yoga. A big fan of bands you’ve never heard of. Doesn’t shop on Amazon. Has many pets including chickens. Definitely owns a guitar or uke. Free-Thinking. Very attractive. Probably in need of a drink and a pie right about now.
More to PIE than meets the eye!
Shock revelation – PIE Lagos is not just about pies!
The ‘build your own pie’ concept is just one small part of what we do. We also strive to serve exciting and varied cuisine along with exceptional beverages, in a unique laid-back luxury atmosphere that you just cannot find elsewhere.
The story may have begun in Wales where head chef and co-owner James put together an award-winning pie. His game pie used boar, deer, and pheasant all sourced from local hunters as part of National Park conservation quotas. The veggies were from the neighboring farm, and even the wine was Welsh! This dish helped his restaurant to be recognized as the “Best Local Produce Restaurant” in South Wales.
This led James to thinking…. a. He might have quite a talent for pies, and b. He wanted to bring this same ethos to his newest venture in Lagos, Portugal. James is committed to sourcing local food and drinks, and to offering a constantly changing, seasonal menu that showcases the very best local ingredients.
PIE Lagos extends this mindset from the kitchen out to the bar. Bar manager and co-owner Robbie works with local breweries Marafada, Mania, and Nortada to supply our artisanal beers and ales, as well as sourcing exciting international craft beers, to ensure that we have the most diverse selection on offer for beer lovers.
And our drinks menus are also constantly evolving. Our guest beers change regularly, and we have a special cocktail menu that ensures you can always find something a little different to experience.
Overall, PIE Lagos is a drinking and dining experience like no other. Whether you want to enjoy the privacy of one of our unique custom-built booths, sit and be sociable on our private and charming terrace, or sit at the bar where you can watch the sports, charge your phone, and enjoy some of our famous bar snacks (bring back the scotch egg we hear you cry), PIE Lagos has got you covered.
We are committed to continuing to evolve, adapt, and perfect our food and drink menus to ensure that every time you visit you will be surprised, excited, and delighted by what we have on offer. Keep an eye out for our Après-Beach and Live music events which we will be hosting throughout the year – we also want you to be entertained while you eat and drink!!!
And watch this space for our next move – reimagining Portuguese cuisine. Portuguese inspired dishes using local products and techniques, with a twist. We love Portuguese food and can’t wait to show you the exciting possibilities of this totally delicious cuisine.
PIE lovers, know that we will re-open as soon as we are legally allowed so that you can visit us for the full PIE Lagos experience. Until then, you can order a takeaway on Thursdays and Fridays, or take home a full sized pie any day of the week from our PIE This At Home menu. See you soon!!!!!
Reservations and No-Shows
Find a 2023 update on the shocking number of UK restaurants that are now charging for no-shows at the end of the article!
It’s a sensitive topic for us restaurateurs. These days, we are encouraging our guests to book tables in advance, as we must watch our numbers thanks to the capacity restrictions. Most of our lovely customers honor the bookings they make. However, regularly we encounter no-shows. Thankfully, these are very much in the minority here in Lagos, however our friends with restaurants in the UK are reporting increasing numbers of people failing to turn up for their reservations. Whether people are changing their minds last minute, making multiple bookings before deciding where to eat, or going for ‘pre-dinner cocktails’ that turn into ‘cocktails for dinner’ we will never know.
The problem is not just one of good manners – although, this is certainly on the list of reasons we get pretty upset about no-shows. We believe what customers fail to realise is that every restaurant prepares for your booking – whether you are a party of 2 or 12. We have ordered in the stock that we believe we will need for the evening – which will largely depend on how many people we have booked in. Our chefs will have prepared a certain number of items, using fresh ingredients, that will need to be used that evening. Again, depending on how many people we assume will be dining with us. We have planned our staff rota accordingly. We may have felt confident enough to give our part-time staff some extra hours. Our team were ready to take care of ALL of our guests.
And while we are saving a table for you – we will likely be turning away customers who have walked in, eager to spend their money at our venue. A party not showing up often means we lose out on revenue from that table twice – on top of all the wasted stock/hours as mentioned above.
One option would be to ask for a non-refundable deposit when booking tables, although here at PIE Lagos we feel very reluctant to ask for this. It is a step that we hope we never have to resort to.
What we ask from our customers is this. Please, continue to book with us if you can. You can book over the phone, via our website, or on social media. We try and make it as easy as possible! We will always get back to you to confirm your reservation. If you’d like to cancel your booking that’s absolutely fine. We understand that sometimes unexpected things come up, plans change, and we honestly don’t mind! But please, please get in touch and let us know. Even if it’s 10 minutes before you are supposed to arrive – just give us a call, or send us a message or an email.
The same applies if you are running late for your booking. Again, this is normally not a problem if you just give us a call to let us know! Our policy with holding reserved tables is as follows. We will hold your table for 10 minutes after the time you have booked for. After the 10 minutes, if we haven’t heard from you, we will consider you to be a no-show and will give away your table at the next opportunity.
Lastly, a brief note about the time of your reservation. Sadly, not everyone can eat at 8pm. Sometimes (we know this is upsetting) we may ask you to choose either 7.30pm or 8.30pm. HOWEVER why not use this to your advantage? Take the 8.30pm table, arrive at 8pm as planned, treat yourself to a sneaky pre-dinner cocktail at our bar, and before you can say “raspberry mojito” you’ll find your table is ready!
2023 Update!!
Recently, a study by The Observer found that almost all top UK restaurants are now charging their customers for no-shows and cancellations. Apparently, more than 90 out of the top 100 UK restaurants are now charging a cancellation fee ranging from £25 to £375 per person, if a table cancels late or doesn’t show up at all.
Restauranters report that the process of being able to book multiple tables online, meaning customers can effectively choose the venue they fancy at the very last minute, has driven restaurants to demand that a credit or debit card is required to make the reservation, to which the fee will be charged if the booking doesn’t show.
For us, this year, around 50% of our bookings have been no-shows. As we’ve mentioned above, we are VERY reluctant to ask for a deposit or start to impose these fees. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that. But, please do let us know whether you are going to be late for your booking, or have changed your mind and decided to eat elsewhere. We really don’t mind! We’d just appreciate the heads-up so we know we can let somebody else use the table!!
The bittersweet re-opening of PIE Lagos & why we need the bars to reopen asap
As many of you will know, Monday 18th marked the day where restaurants and cafés were allowed to open up (with restrictions) here in Portugal.
The restrictions in place include having to run at 50% capacity, distance between groups, heightened cleaning measures, and an earlier closing time of 11pm.
Here at PIE Lagos, we have been running a reasonably successful takeaway and delivery service for the last couple of months, but it was a huge relief for the team to be able to finally open the doors to a limited number of customers. As a restaurant with a large terrace, we were well placed to open, and one of the lucky few establishments who can offer a place to both eat and drink.
However, with this excitement and relief, comes the all-too-obvious reality that many of our friends and colleagues in Lagos are still suffering with the forced closures. Bars and nightclubs in Portugal have been given no re-opening date. Whilst it is understandable that the government wants to proceed with caution in this area, it seems to be a strange and unfair development that establishments with the correct sort of license (restaurant / snack bar) are now allowed to open across the board, whilst the bars are forced to remain closed. Many bars with the luck of having a snack bar license, have been able to put a couple of easy snack items on a menu, thus transforming them from bar to restaurant – and therefore enabling them to open and operate essentially as a bar.
Why be concerned you might ask? As one of the bars / restaurants lucky enough to be open right now shouldn’t we be celebrating?
Not quite.
Let’s look at the tourism prospects quickly. We are facing a severely limited, if not totally cancelled summer tourist season. The optimistic among us are still hoping for a few tourists to find their way here in August and September. Therefore, our local economy is going to be largely kept afloat by locals and residents.
A huge percentage of our town and indeed the country are bar owners, or employees. During the winter season many bars were closed, and employees were taking some well-deserved time off – with no way of foreseeing the terrible months to come. Bar owners have been faced with zero takings, and employees have taken zero wages for many months now. Many are facing dire prospects.
In order for the whole town to survive and thrive, we need our friends/family/associates to be allowed to earn money. When nobody has any money, they will not be going out to spend it in the local businesses, that so desperately need the custom. The bars are well aware of the restrictions and safety measures that need to be put into place, and most can do so as easily as the restaurants and cafes that have already opened.
Consumer spending is potentially the only way we are going to be able to help our floundering economy. By keeping the bars closed, we feel strongly that we are making it harder for EVERYONE to recover.
And we miss the bars! We all want to support our friends and their businesses by visiting for a beer/cocktail/glass of wine!
Please take 5 seconds to sign the petition below, to ask the government to get our much loved bars open asap.
https://peticaopublica.com/mobile/pview.aspx?pi=PT99942
Thank you, much love
PIE Lagos.