When dining in Michigan restaurants, patrons can not only ask for a doggie bag, but soon they also may be able to take that bottle of merlot to go, too.
Michigan law forbids diners from taking home an open bottle of wine from a restaurant, but a bill passed by the Michigan Legislature and headed to the governor's office for her signature likely will change that this month.
"I'm all for that," said Nick Ficorelli, a Chesterfield Township resident who frequently orders wine with dinner. "Lots of time, you buy a bottle of wine to enjoy. There's no sense rushing through it and if you have other plans, why let it go to waste?"
Some restaurant owners are uneasy about people leaving an establishment with a resealed bottle of wine and then driving. But proponents say it could cut down on the drinking and driving of diners who order a bottle of wine with dinner and feel compelled to finish it because they paid for it. They also say it could be good for the restaurant business because patrons may start ordering more bottles of wine, and more expensive bottles of wine, if they know they won't go to waste.
"We view this as common sense," said Andy Deloney, spokesman for the Michigan Restaurant Association. "It simply gives restaurant guests the option to walk out the door with what they paid for."
Under the bill, which Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to sign, restaurants have the option of offering guests the opportunity to take their unfinished bottle of wine home. If they do, a restaurant staff member must reinsert the cork and level it so the cork cannot be easily removed. Patrons must comply with the state's open container law, which requires an open bottle of alcohol to be in the trunk. If the vehicle does not have a trunk, the open bottle must be stored out of reach of any passengers.
Eric Schilbe of Cafe Bon Homme in Plymouth said he does not like the idea of sending diners home with a resealed bottle of wine in their car.
"There's enough other options out there if you don't want a full bottle of wine," Schilbe said.
Victor Martin of the Loon River Café in Sterling Heights thinks the idea is fine but has some concerns.
"I don't have a problem with it other than the obvious question: Where does liquor liability stop?" Martin said.
Other restaurant owners think it's a great idea.
"Drinking and driving ... is a big issue for society," said Jim Eggl, owner of Gravity Bar and Grill and Hector and Jimmy's, both in Milford. "This is a positive step toward giving people an opportunity to make a better judgment."
Bill Roberts of The Beverly Hills Grill said customers may order a better bottle of wine instead of two mediocre glasses if they know they can take it home.
"I see it as a win-win situation for everyone," Roberts said.
Homer Smith, executive director of the Michigan chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said the group does not oppose the bill.
There were some safety concerns that authors of the bill added -- such as leveling off the cork. The group also looked at several other states with similar laws and there was no research to suggest that it had any negative effects on drinking and driving.
"It just seems like this bill will not create adverse effects and may promote responsible drinking in a social context," Smith said.
You can reach Kim Kozlowski at (313) 222-2024 or kkozlowski@detnews.com.
source:http://www.detnews.com/2005/politics/0505/15/B01-181699.htm
