What is "table d'hote"

Table d'hote \Ta"ble d'h[^o]te"\ (t[.a]"bl' d[=o]t`); pl. Tables d'h[^o]te. [F., literally, table of the landlord.]

1. A common table for guests at a hotel; an ordinary.

2. Now, commonly, a meal, usually of several preselected and fixed courses, in a restaurant, hotel, or the like, for which one pays a fixed price. Sometimes, a meal with optional courses for which one pays a fixed price irrespective of what one orders; but the latter is usuallyt referred to as a pris fixe meal or a a la carte meal. Often used adjectively; as, a table-d'h[^o]te meal.

n. (alternative spelling of table d'hôte English)

a. Of menu selections, offered at a fixed price. n. a menu offering a complete meal, with little choice, at a fixed price

1. adj. (of a restaurant meal) complete but with limited choices and at a fixed price [syn: prix fixe] [ant: a la carte]

2. n. a menu offering a complete meal with limited choices at a fixed price

In restaurant terminology a table d'hôte menu is a menu where multi- course meals with only a few choices are charged at a fixed total price. Such a menu may also be called prix fixe ("fixed price"). The terms set meal and set menu are also used. The cutlery on the table may also already be set for all of the courses.

Table d'hôte contrasts with " à la carte", where customers may order any of the separately priced menu items available.