Definition

1. Adjective:

   • (Of a restaurant meal) complete but with limited choices and at a fixed price: Describes a type of meal or menu where a full, multi-course meal is offered for a single set price, with the customer choosing from a limited selection of options for each course.

2. Noun:

   • A menu listing fixed meals at fixed prices: Refers to the specific menu itself that offers such meals, or the system/practice of offering such meals.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The restaurant offers a prix fixe dinner for $75. (The restaurant offers a fixed-price, multi-course dinner for $75.)
  • We chose the prix fixe option, which included an appetizer, main course, and dessert. (We chose the fixed-price option, which included an appetizer, main course, and dessert.)

• Noun:

  • The prix fixe is an excellent value. (The fixed-price menu is an excellent value.)
  • They only serve prix fixe on weekends. (They only serve fixed-price menus on weekends.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used to contrast with an à la carte menu, where each item is priced separately.
  • For a more curated experience, try the chef's prix fixe tasting menu instead of ordering à la carte. (For a more curated experience, try the chef's fixed-price tasting menu instead of ordering individual dishes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Table d'hôte: A synonym, often used interchangeably with "prix fixe," meaning a meal offered at a fixed price with limited choices.
• Tasting menu / Degustation menu: A type of prix fixe menu featuring many small courses selected by the chef, often highlighting the chef's specialties.

Synonyms

• Fixed-price menu
• Set menu
• Table d'hôte

Notes on Usage

• Prix fixe is a loan phrase from French, literally meaning "fixed price." It is commonly used in English contexts, especially in fine dining.
• It is typically italicized in writing to indicate its foreign origin, though this practice is becoming less strict.

Adjective

1. (of a restaurant meal) complete but with limited choices and at a fixed price

Noun

1. a menu listing fixed meals at fixed prices