New Calorie Rules for Restaurants to Include Cocktails

Ignorance will no longer be bliss for drinkers at some of New York’s fine franchise restaurants. Starting next month, whether you like it or not, you’re going to find out calorie information on every drink you order at Olive Garden, Applebees, T.G.I. Friday’s or Pizzeria Uno. The new Health Department law requiring chain restaurants with more than 15 locations nationwide to print calorie counts on menus also requires them to display their beverage stats. The Post has a taste of what’s to come:

A 6 ounce chocolate martini has 500 calories.
A 6 ounce piña colada has 380 calories.
A 6 ounce mango berry daiquiri has 1,590 calories.
A 6 ounce pomegranate martini packs 500-600 calories.

The New York State Restaurant Association has filed a lawsuit against the Health Department to block the regulation; they were successful in stopping a previous iteration of the rules last September. Of course, you wouldn’t be caught dead sipping a mojito at T.G.I. Friday’s, so you’re probably thinking this doesn’t affect you. But first they came for the chain restaurants… Forbes breaks down the ten most fattening cocktails; there's no law requiring you to read it – yet.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in Food on February 12, 2008 11:30 AM

Comments [rss]

areacode212

Politburo: The print version of the Post story had pictures of drinks with the calorie information in captions.

nonumentalart

who wants to drink at those places anyways...this is new york...not ohio

allie25

this is a hilarious picture of tom cruise.

Kojak

Who the hell drinks Mango daiquiris to begin with?

If any men answer yes, then you sirs, are gay.

JRod5417

Stick with wine: only 150 calories per glass and good for your heart.

La Leone

That's fine.

As long as you don't drink @ Olive Garden, Applebees, T.G.I. Friday’s, Pizzeria Uno

you're safe - calories consumed in actual BARS don't count!

And that ancient Tom Cruise poster that reads: "When he pours, he reigns."

If that was made today it would read:

"He's boring. AND insane"

JenChungsBaby

I think you're right. It's probably 590 calories, without the "1" at the beginning. I don't think even Rocky Balboa's morning egg beverage has 1590 calories.

Politburo

"those drinks are all high-fructose corn syrup so of course they are high in calories."

HFCS is no more caloric than any other form of sugar. I can't help but think that the 1,600 number is incorrect, since it works out to ~270 calories per ounce, and that's just ridiculous. A cup (8 oz.) of HFCS is only ~870 calories.

Gothamist implies this data is from the Post, but the Post article doesn't contain this figure. Not sure if the Post edited the article or what.

"How will they determine and enforce 15 nationwide restaurants?"

I think that would be very simple in this day and age.. www.[restaurantname].com and then click on locations.

JenChungsBaby

Nothing in my comment said that I've never seen an Applebees in New York. I know of at least two in Queens, but I've never seen [noticed] one in Manhattan. I figured if there was one in Manhattan it would be in Times Square. Snot.

Offbalance

This is about when I tell the health department to kiss my hindquarters. They can take my fries, but they'll NEVER take my cocktails.

TK

those drinks are all high-fructose corn syrup so of course they are high in calories.

How will they determine and enforce 15 nationwide restaurants? Typical of big government.

Hey NICE GASH

"A 6 ounce daquiri has 1600 calories? Are you freaking kidding me? That new law is going to cost Applebees a lot of after work chick parties (that is, if you can find an Applebees in NYC -- is there one in Times Square?)."

Are you this ignorant about NYC or just trying to subtly hint that you would never eat there?

I see applebee's all the time.

Papercutninja

Of course there's an Applebees in Times Square. If it's a popular chain in Ohio, then there's one in Times Square. Nothing says a NYC experience like eating the same slop here as they would in Akron.

mihow

So, sometimes it's a good thing knowing, right? Might think twice about ordering that 1600 calorie drink.

(Side note: I never would have guessed it'd be that high. But I'm a simple gal; I don't drink stuff like that. I like my booze to taste just like booze.)

rtd2101

Holy Crap, 1590 calories in one mango daiquiri? What the hell is in that?

Good thing I only drink whiskey, straight up...

JenChungsBaby

A 6 ounce daquiri has 1600 calories? Are you freaking kidding me? That new law is going to cost Applebees a lot of after work chick parties (that is, if you can find an Applebees in NYC -- is there one in Times Square?).