It should be noted that the restaurant now charges a mandatory "service charge" in lieu of accepting tips. I put service charge in quotes, because in some juris

It should be noted that the restaurant now charges a mandatory "service charge" in lieu of accepting tips. I put service charge in quotes, because in some jurisdictions[0], there is a legal distinction between a "service charge/fee" and "auto gratuity". If a restaurant automatically charges you gratuity (many do this for tables of 6 or more), you don't legally have to pay it. You do have to pay anything labelled as a "fee" or "charge" though. [0] I have some knowledge of this in the mid Atlantic states, but the author is speaking about the West. Maybe it is different over there, maybe it isn't.