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Bill of fare excludes escargots for starters (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fee

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'bill' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'fare excludes escargots for starters' is the wordplay.
'fare' becomes 'f' (this could be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'for starters' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'excludes escargots' is 'ee'.
'f'+'ee'='FEE'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fee that I've seen before include "Money paid for professional services" , "(Entry) charge" , "Sum payable to, say, barrister" , "Sum payable to professional person for services" , "Payment to a professional for services" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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