Originally Posted by
Kettering Northants QC
I have often ordered off the menu (but only at hotels that profess to offer a better level of service - I wouldn't do it at the Holiday Inn even if they do have a concierge) and never had a problem - but to be fair I've never ordered anything off menu that should challenge a hotel chef or anyone with a modicum of common sense or knowledge of the local restaurants the slightest difficulty.
Some I recall - asking for a more ambitious Curry to the one on the menu (most british hotels seem to only offer Chicken Tikka Massala / Rogan Josh) - they could have got it delivered from the local Balti House for all I cared, a whole Roast Chicken for our family with all the trimmings one sunday lunchtime at the Phuket Yacht Club (when it was run by MO - we gave them a couple of hours notice) to a midnight English Fry up (with Chips and HP sauce) at the MO in HK after a boozy (and unsuccessful) night at the races.
Personally, I would never test the concierge just for the sake of it and if I can easily do something myself I will.
Similarly, a hotel gets points in my book when they're able to deliver an item off the restaurant menu to me in my room, or vice versa. Especially when a well-known or regarded restaurant is involved, it's a real treat to have that quality food in the comfort of a five-star room.