off-menu
Not publicly advertised
Off-menu describes food or drinks not listed on a restaurant's printed menu but available on request.
Regulars or savvy diners might ask for off-menu items: The chef made us an off-menu pasta with truffles.
The term extends to any option not officially offered but obtainable through insider knowledge or special arrangement: We negotiated an off-menu deal.
Things deliberately obscured
- unlistedNot in any registry
- specialsLimited-time offerings
- insiderOne with confidential access
- regularsHabitual visitors
chef's choice · customization · modifications · substitutions · unadvertised · ask for · word-of-mouth · cult favorite
Restaurant's kitchen-view seating
- omakaseDiner yields to chef
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- signature dishChef's most famous creation
house special · experimental · prix fixe · bespoke · personalized · farm-to-table · inspiration · spontaneous
Not formally recognized
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- back-channelCovert diplomatic route
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
- informalRelaxed, not official
unorthodox · workaround · side deal · undisclosed · private arrangement · negotiated · flexible · exception
hidden items
Things deliberately obscured
regulars · chef's choice · customization · modifications · substitutions · unadvertised · ask for · word-of-mouth · cult favorite · hack
chef's table
Restaurant's kitchen-view seating
- omakaseDiner yields to chef
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
signature dish · house special · experimental · prix fixe · bespoke · personalized · farm-to-table · inspiration · spontaneous · artisanal
unofficial
Not formally recognized
- unauthorizedNot officially permitted
- back-channelCovert diplomatic route
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
informal · unorthodox · workaround · side deal · undisclosed · private arrangement · negotiated · flexible · exception · discretionary
off-menulisted
Recorded in a registry
advertised · published · menu item · publicized · posted