a la carte
Dish by dish
A la carte means ordering individual items from a menu rather than selecting a fixed meal or package.
From French, literally "by the card" (the menu).
The term extends beyond restaurants: The software lets you purchase features a la carte rather than buying the full suite.
Opposite of prix fixe or table d'hôte.
Listed separately, point-by-point
- individualOne separate human being
- separateTo set apart
- unbundledSold as separate items
- unit priceCost per single item
surcharge · upcharge · add-on · supplemental
List of available dishes
- entreePrimary dinner course
- appetizerLight dish preceding main
- dessertSweet course after dinner
- coursePlanned path forward
dish · plate · portion · serving · waiter · sommelier · maître d' · bistro
Chosen item or items
- optionsAvailable courses of action
- pickPointed breaking tool
- varietyState of being diverse
- assortmentMixed collection of things
array · range · preferences · flexibility · elective · discretionary · opt-in · selective
Adjusted to fit exactly
- personalizedAdapted for an individual
- made-to-orderCreated to individual specifications
- bespokeMade to individual specifications
- configuredSet up systematically
individualized · custom · modular · adapted · flexible · on-demand · self-selected
itemized
Listed separately, point-by-point
- individualOne separate human being
- separateTo set apart
- unbundledSold as separate items
unit price · surcharge · upcharge · add-on · supplemental
menu
List of available dishes
course · dish · plate · portion · serving · waiter · sommelier · maître d' · bistro · reservation
selection
Chosen item or items
assortment · array · range · preferences · flexibility · elective · discretionary · opt-in · selective · cherry-pick
tailored
Adjusted to fit exactly
- personalizedAdapted for an individual
- made-to-orderCreated to individual specifications
- bespokeMade to individual specifications
configured · individualized · custom · modular · adapted · flexible · on-demand · self-selected
- service modelssubscription, freemium, pay-per-use, pay per use, on-demand
- diningrestaurant, menu, waiter, servers, waitress
- French Loanwordsballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit, chef
- restaurantsmenu, chef, reservations, table service, waitstaff
- dining stylesbuffet, table service, counter service, self-service, fine dining
- Menu Elementslayout, spacing, pricing, categories, sections
a la cartetable d'hôte
Set meal, fixed price
prix fixe · set menu · tasting menu · prix fixe menu · all-inclusive
a la cartebundled
Gathered and tied together
all-inclusive · package deal · comprehensive · inclusive · full-service