Cafeteria Style Pricing

Also known as "a la carte" is a French expression meaning "from the menu", and it is used in restaurant terminology in one of two ways:

It may refer to a menu of items priced and ordered separately rather than selected from a list of preset multi-course meals at fixed prices (see Table d'hôte).

Or it may designate the option to order a main course item along with your choice of an accompanied side dish included with the dish, at no extra charge.

The meaning has been extended beyond the scope of dining to encompass the general option of purchasing only select items instead of a merchant's entire list of offerings, particularly in articles about cable television.