 Maybe you're one of the lucky two who will be splitting the $355 Mega Millions jackpot. Perhaps you’re in a Mayan state of mind and trying to polish off the old bucket list before the world ceases to exist on December 21, 2012. Could be you're trying to impress a new lady or gent. Or maybe, just maybe, you're just someone who loves to eat good food no matter the price tag. Whatever your motivation, there are plenty of places for you to drop some serious Benjamins in the name of fine dining. We’re not declaring these to be the "best" restaurants in all the land (though some of them are), nor the most expensive (ditto). There are plenty of restaurants where you could order a gold-flecked sundae or truffle-laced burger topped with Beluga caviar and easily stack up a bill in the thousands of dollars. Instead, we’re honing in on notable prix fixe and tasting menu options that will make your taste buds squeal with delight and may your wallet reel in terror - but at least with a set price, you'll know what you're in for. To the tune of $250 per person (service included), diners choose between two nine-course tasting menus that change daily – either the chef’s tasting, which includes several meat and fish-centric courses, or a tasting of vegetables. No ingredient is repeated throughout the meal and it celebrates the height of seasonality, prepared with French precision and technique. Chef Keller describes it as “American restaurant whose inspiration lies in the countryside of France.” Per Se – New York City, New York Same deal as The French Laundry: two nine-course tasting menus, one vegetarian and the other is not. Both change daily but incorporate some of Thomas Keller’s classics like salmon cornets and “Oysters and Pearls” with warm pearl tapioca sabayon, Island Creek oysters and white sturgeon caviar. Per Se also holds the distinguished honor of being awarded three Michelin stars; there are only four other restaurants in New York City with the same distinction. It’s also in the same building as Masa (see below) should you feel the need to stick around for a $600 omakase afterward. minibar – Washington, D.C. So if you are one of the lucky 12 people to nab a coveted reservation at José Andrés' culinary laboratory that night, you can expect 25 to 30 courses separated into "munchies" like cotton candy eel or a tomato crisp with anchovy caviar, "flavors and textures" like smoked oysters with apples or a Wagyu beef cheesesteak, and "sweet endings" like saffron gum drops and frozen yogurt and honey powders. Twist by Pierre Gagnaire - Las Vegas, Nevada The legendary French chef - and “wizard” according to esteemed food writer Ruth Reichl - makes his United States debut on the 23rd floor of the Mandarin Oriental serving classic French food (foie gras terrine, shellfish à la marinière) with an innovative twist (hibiscus gelée, potato chips and marshmallow), hence the name. Momofuku Ko - New York City, New York
Akin to minibar, chef David Chang’s Ko feeds a small crowd – 12 seats to be exact - and reservations are hard to come by – only available online at 10 a.m. for the next seven days. Lunch service at Ko has a larger menu than dinner and is offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for $175. For the bargain hunters, dinner is $125 and offered every day. As for the food, it’s a bit of this and that plucked from around the world – homemade pork rinds, frozen grated foie gras flakes, braised pork belly, scallop sashimi. You dine at the chefs’ whim. Le Bec Fin - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Le Bec Fin is widely accredited for starting the restaurant revolution in the city of Brotherly Love and cheesesteak. It reflects the white linen tablecloths of yore, where anything less than three hours for a meal is unheard of and a water glass never goes half-empty. Oh, and we should probably mention there’s an all-you-can-eat dessert cart that’s rolled around the restaurant should you feel the need to milk that $185 price tag for all the cakes and tarts it’s worth. The Herbfarm - Seattle, Washington It’ll run you anywhere between $179 and $195 per person, plus tax and service. The Herbfarm's kitchen gardens and farm supply most of its produce, so if terroir is what you’re looking for, terroir is what you get. Urasawa - Los Angeles, California Omakase, translating roughly to mean “entrusting,” puts you in the chef’s hands as he sends out a twenty-course-plus procession of sushi and sashimi directly flown in from Japan. Joël Robuchon at the Mansion – Las Vegas, Nevada For $385 a person, high rollers belly up to a sixteen course tasting menu by the “French Chef of the Century,” according to the Gault Millau restaurant guide. Worried about getting back to your hotel further down on the Strip? The restaurant provides complimentary limousine service to all its diners. Alinea - Chicago, Illinois For $195, diners are taken on a 20-course culinary journey of progressive cuisine, from pillows of lavender to singed oak leaves to a black truffle explosion. Alinea was recently named the seventh best restaurant in the world by Restaurant Magazine. Michel Richard Citronelle - Washington, D.C. Should you be so content and full that you couldn’t bear to travel back home, the restaurant is conveniently located in the Latham Hotel in the D.C. neighborhood of Georgetown. Masa - New York City, New York |
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Aragawa in Tokyo, visited twice, 2 people ~JPY 150,000 and 4 people ~JPY 400,000. The beef is really very good, surprisingly not the typical "fatty" waguy, but quite frankly not worth it, despite the fact that there are 14 grades between very, very rare to very,very well done. If it hadn't been on a corporate account, it would have hurt.
I also liked Joel Robuchon in Ebisu (~JPY 75,000-100,000 per person), my favorite were scalloped potatoes with uni/espresso foam. Did not like L'atelier in Roppongi Hills (too uncomfortable seating).
L'Osier is also a must.
I would LOVE to have those who have eaten a meal for over $50.00 post their political affiliation...
Had a mediocre date at a Fantastic local restaurant, bill for 2 came out around $130. The seafood pasta dish I had was like eating butter of the sea, it was lovely and possibly the best I've had. Oh and for the record I am a broke college student, Libertarian.
Roughly around $ 600 US for two at Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It was good, but I've had meals just as good for a fraction of the price. It's nice to do it once in a very blue moon, but for the most part, there are a lot of nice places at far more down to earth prices. Maybe I'll go back to the Jules Verne when I see them on Groupon.
if ever i won the lottery, my husband and I will tour around the world to taste different cuisines and exotic food found in each country!!!=)
The French Laundry was worth every penny! Amazing food! Looking forward to Per Se. :) Would highly suggest that you bring your own wine and pay the $50 corkage fee. The markup on wine is the highest I've ever seen in a restaurant.
i could afford to spend $1000 a night on dinner. but i don't because i'm not stupid. simply spending $10-$25 per person is enough to have an enjoyable night out. i have other fun things to do with my money than compulsively spend it at some so called "fine restaurant".....but some people are just a little dumb, what can i say.
My most expensive was at Spiaggia, downtown chicago, 4 people the bill came out to 1600, included a bottle of wine and a white truffle tasting, completely worth it.
...if your a pretentious IDIOT...
Is this the BBQ you were talking about?
http://rubysbbq.com/
No sir- RUDY's.com out of New Braunfels,TX.
Thanks. Sorry, meant to post that in the Klatsch.
You guys are lucky to have the opportunity to experience such culinary delights. My most expensive meal was $12 at the Waffle House outside of Fayetteville. No Michelin stars or Zagat rating but some darn good waffles, though.
I second that! Would rather eat there than a prix fixes any day. I really dig your name!!
Kitchen table at Tru in Chicago. An experience that neither myself or my wallet will ever forget!
While I suppose Denver isn't as big a destination as many listed here, the Broker if it is still there was quite a fine meal back in the 90's. Used to travel alot back then, and pretty much on unlimited expense account, can remember it being well over 2000 for 8, of course that was with fine wine, topshelf scotch, and holy cow, back then they had some really fine cigars too, I must be getting old......
Komi in D.C. and Redd in Napa Valley are the best value tasting menus out there. You'll be blown away.
It's possible to drop nearly $200 a head even at our 'mediocre' restaurants here in Santa Fe – all you have to do is have expensive taste in wine. There are some bottles on the wine lists that go for $2K. So even if the dinner is only abut $150 apiece for the food, anything other than the house red will significantly jack that up, easy.
As a former culinary student, I definitely love fine dining, but am seriously not all that impressed by molecular gastronomy, which is good for me since that's where things start getting super-expensive. I've done many $100-200 prix fixes (I'm blessed to be a through-and-through Chicagoan), but find that in some of those 20-course tasters that there are always some dishes that aren't necessarily flops, but I just don't care much for them. I can appreciate the concept of the dish, its technical merits, the composition, the quality of ingredients, and how it fits in with the overall "experience," but that doesn't mean I like it. You might get 5 dishes that are sublime, but for 5/20, could I just pay $50 and skip the rest?
Only one of my top 10 dining experiences has been an expensive endeavor: Topolobampo. 5-course prix fixe for about $100 per person plus beverages. It wasn't even all that expensive, all things considered, but the food was unbelievable.
Yep, not expensive at all. Just enough to feed between 20 and 25 homeless human beings...What have we become?
I'm surprised there aren't more people on the "cheap" side actually. I can't believe those of you attacking those who say it's not worth it by saying "well you're not a true foodie." I enjoy food immensely and splurge on special coffees, cheeses, meats etc all the time (most of which I cook myself incidentally).
I make better money that a lot of my friends, but I get queasy if I spend more than $30 per person for all but the most special of occasions (of course I'm often the one buying for at least 2 if not 3 people too because of aforementioned wealth differential).
I know a family of 3 who eat at least two $400-$800/head meals a year...and they are barely able to afford to fix things around the house that break or pay medical bills but they claim it as the need to "treat" themselves. If that's being a foodie, then foodies are stupid.
I can afford it but the idea of spending so much money on such a thing seems awful unless you truly do have enough that it doesn't hurt. If it's competing with needs though...I'd almost throw up at the table.
The most expensive meal I personally ate was $130 at a restaurant owned by a certain TV chef. I enjoyed it, but the enjoyment was tempered with worrying about the bill the whole time...definitely not the best seasoning.
Good, but honestly? There are so many cheaper things I've enjoyed more. No meal is worth it if the money you spend makes you ill.
Being a foodie is a "pay to play" occupation.
It's like golf...if you can't afford it, you don't belong on the green.
Great.
Some people have brains that directly relate price to pleasure, methinks. Some of the best meals you ever eat will not be the most expensive. Some of the best experiences (in terms of fun, enjoyment, and service) won't be either.
How about a poll on whether your favorite meal was from (a) a high price restaurant, (b) a place charging $20-50 a plate, (c) a place even cheaper than that, (d) home cooked, (e) entirely dependent on company and event with very little to do with the actual food at all.
So let's play this game – what do you spend money on if you have so much of it? If $30 per meal makes you queasy, maybe you are not comfortable paying for all your friends, so I suggest you stop. I have never spent $400 for a meal, but having been to the French Laundry, I can say it was completely worth it. A once in a lifetime meal for me – although hoping for a second opportunity. Do I spend that much on a regular basis – obviously not, but am I going to feel bad about it? Absolutely not! Most of us responding pay our bills, work hard, take care of our children and make choices about where we spend our money. There is a big difference between cheap and frugal and I am the queen of frugal, but there are also times when I choose to spend and the French Laundry was worth every penny!
I had the honor of eating at Joel Rouchon at the Mansion last year, and it was truly the meal of a lifetime. Sure, it was super-expensive, but I would go again in a heartbeat (and after padding the checking account a bit)...The meal was so impressive, the wine was to die for, and the atmosphere couldn't be beat. I highly recommend it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
and too many tv dinners
Mr. Fugi
8 time wwf tag team chamion
Yankee eats too much fried chicken!!
Mr. Siato
The most expensive place was Mise En Place in Tampa. They'since changed they're menu, but I asked for a domestic Red Zinfandel and the bottle cost over $150 with out have one bite to eat!
I remember in the late 80's my father's boss called him out to California for a business meeting. While there, his boss treated him to dinner with a tab in excess of $300. But the meal also lacked substance, so after the dinner my father directed the limo to a second restaurant – and treated his boss to a much less expensive, and much more filling culinary experience.
As for me, I'm happy in any local restaurant. My typical tab is 15-20 dollars.
I techniclly didn't pay for the meal but I was at a dinner for Marc Jacobs employees and with all of the 23 peoples meals and drinks the total came out to 30 grand.
I was specialized in force protection (bodygaurd) and made very large amounts of money at a very early age and spent every last bit of it on wine, women, and song. VIP rooms, expensive restaraunts, renting expensive apartments, etc. Very very fun. Broke now but that is not a business with long life expetency.
One day...
My cousin went to culinary school and knows quite a bit about fine dining. I've heard her talk about prix fixes that she's been lucky enough to have and I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little bit jealous (as much as I love and crave my weekly $8 Moe's burrito and my ultimate comfort food, the McDonald's cheeseburger). She talked about a date where it was $300 or 400-some per person (in NYC, but I don't remember where). I went to the restaurant's website and looked up the menu and was drooling! It sounded absolutely amazing.
Having lived in Europe I can honestly say most of your corner cafes in France and Switzerland put out a better meal than most high end American restaurants. Not a big fan of the French, but man can they cook.
While traveling across Europe, we stayed in Bed and Breakfasts. One in Switzerland bilked us out of $30 dollars for five orange juices and a hot chocolate (the meal was "free" but not the drinks). They "neglected" to let us know. Too bad for Switzerland, that those are the memories we have of that region.
Went to the Olive Garden the other day. Ordered a fancy $16 soup and they took so long to bring it that they gave it to us for free. We didn't even complain!
$3000 for two at Bouley in NYC but that included wine. A lot of wine. 16 grand cru burgundies (from DRC and LeRoy) at a wine dinner. Most expensive food only probably any number of Paris 3 stars where the prix fix tends to be around $300 per person.
3 places that stand out for me: ALINEA, it was all that and more, we will go back in a year or so to celebrate the end of don't ask, don't tell.
A WAIKIKI hotel, the food was very memorable; but the service was absolutley GRAND; you did not know any service personel were there until you needed them and then they magically appeared and assisted with all needs, no fuss, no noise. they knew what you needed before you did.
the third, we just visited: KONA GRILL at the DOMAIN in austin. Absolutely fabulous, >$125 per person, but well worth it. the sushi and sashimai were to die for and the designer drinks were magical. the steak was grand too, service and atomosphere were mindful of hawaii and very nice.
Got last minute reservations at MASA in august of '08
The price of the $100 "caraffes" (about 4 to 5 oz each) quickly drove up the $500 a seat tab, as did the Kobe I requested (the guy next to me had some), after our meal was officially "over".
I think I asked fir seconds on the baby eels as well. We got out of there for a even 2G's.
Funny part is I totally couldn't afford it. Luckily I had enough credit on my AMEX. Still paying it off, but I don't regret it.
Have never eaten at any of the places mentioned but I have heard of several. The most I have ever paid was at the Gritti Palace in Venice about $310 for 2. Eating outdoors overlooking the Grand Canal made it worthwhile. Another expensive meal was at Sandy Lane in Barbados, paid about the same but food not as good.
I recently dined at the Herbfarm with five friends, and it was an unbelievable experience. The building itself is stuffed with character, the service was of course impeccable, charming, and so friendly, and the food was extremely creative, varied, seasonal, and of course SO delicious! Every detail was accounted for. We felt like friends and guests, it was just wonderful. Full disclosure however...my boyfriend paid for it ;)
I think the most that's ever been spent on a dining experience for me was like in the $100 – $120 total for both of us. Macaroni Grille. Appetizer, Dinner, Dessert, & 2 bottles wine. Yup, clearly cant afford $1200 for dinner. Lol that's like 2 months' rent for us!
I love going into a fine dining restaurant and let the chef decide the whole meal – well worth it. The chef knows what is fresh and what they're preparing to suit my pallet.
gag me.
Masa New York – "fifteen to twenty kinds of sushi (flown in from Japan, no less)" I can imagine it's so fresh that it is still flouncing. Why all the noise over a meal. A milky way and coke is just fine – no wine thanks.
I agree... I actually lived in Japan and I'm not sure I'd want sushi that had spent 15+ hours in transit. Why not just fly to Japan and get Japanese sushi (and any other Japanese food you want for that matter) for that price? We used to spend no more than 4500 yen (roughly $45) for an incredible sushi meal for both my husband and me. And we got to watch the chefs prepare it and chat with them (in our limited vocabulary).
I was wondering when this would turn to the spiteful...
LOL he's just trying to say he doesn't see the point in spending that kind of money on stuff that's going to be floating around in your toilet early the next morning when you get up.
Wow. Now I really know that I am cheap or simply don't have such deep pockets. This is why we live with such debt in America. Rather than save for retirement and not rely on the government for our future sustenance, we pig out on food we cannot afford. Oh well.
Well I guess it's safe to say you're not a foodie. :)
I am, and I greatly enjoy splurging on fine dining experiences, in addition to saving for my retirement and staying out of debt.
No, WE "pig out" on food that YOU can't afford.
You must be a politician with all expenses paid for.
If you view a creation from these top chefs as just food rather than an epic, and possibly once in a life time experience, you shouldn't have even bothered reading the article. Some people choose to enjoy life to extremes that the everyday person can't even begin to imagine.
Most likely we are the group of people that cut your paycheck, build your retirement portfolio, keep this economy floating on something other credit and empty promises and still manage to pay our bills. I'm not a politician I haven't inherited a dime from anyone, I own a small business and work hard for my slightly above middle class depth pockets. We choose wisely so we can play hard and enjoy the things not everyone gets to enjoy. My wife and I refuse to sit idle and fade off into a bored existence.
A truly great meal is a transdendent experience. It is worth saving up for the same way that you would save up for a great vacation. Much like a vacation, the memories last a lifetime.
Speak for yourself. I have no problem spending $300 on dinner, because I can afford it.
It is really presumptious and judgemental of you to assume we cannot afford it. Have you looked at my bank account? I dined at the French Laundry in January 2010 and it was an amazing experience. What I choose to spend my money on is no business of yours. Surely you spend your money on something that I would not spend mine on.
My former beau and I dropped many, many, MANY hundreds of dollars at Gary Danko's in San Francisco (the lobster risotto! the cheese cart! the wine!), Campagne and Canlis in Seattle, Washington. Ah... I'm hungry just thinking about it.
In December 2008, my friend and I paid $1500 each to attend a special Keller-Achatz mentor/protege dinner at the French Laundry. It was a total of ~16 courses, showcasing each chef's cuilinary style and signature dishes. The price included food, wine pairings (about 9 different wines), tax, service, and each of the chef's autographed books. Keller and Achatz visited each table during the evening, and they allowed us to pose for photos with them in the kitchen at the conclusion of the event. It was a spectacluar dining experience and a unique opportunity. To me, it was worth the four-figure price tag because I am a huge foodie and derive great pleasure from fine dining. However, I can understand that others would find this to be a ridiculous amount to pay for one meal for one person.
I would have been right there with you if I could have landed a table. That just sounds awesome.
Per Se is amazing. Hands down the best meal of my life. It was about $1000 for two people.
I spent 3000 USD or 1500 USD per person on a dinner date that went nowhere. It was at Aragawa New York. The most expensive restaurant in the world. She ordered the most expensive dish on the menu – Kobe Beef with Maine Lobster. She also took the liberty of ordering us a bottle of Chateau 1964 which cost 1500 USD. I met her on Craigslist. Didnt see her again plus she said she was tired and had to leave right after dinner. One date only. I maxed my credit card on a single dinner.
Why a first date THERE?
You're putting us on aren't you? If it is true, your 1st red flag was you met he on Craigslist. No way I'm spending that kinda coin on someone I just met on Craigslist. For what you went through, you're better off at the club or bar.
You're just plain ol stupid if this is true.
for that ammount, you could feed a faimily of seven in africa for a year.
I hope she gave you 'dessert.'
The most ever spent was over $800 for 2 at Tru in Chicago. We did dinner with wine pairing. It was my husbands birthday. Problem was, we had a drink before dinner, then paired about a 8 course meal. I was so "happy" by the end, I missed alot of the experience. And lost it all the next day :( But have never seen such sykronized serving in my entire life. It was almost like water ballet.
$385 was the most I spent per person. It was a Charity Ball tough so not sure that counts.
Amazing time though.
If I had the money, I'd do it every night. :)
On just a sit down table, it would had to be about $200 per person at Table 31 in Philadelphia PA.
Worth every penny.
Last September my husband & I ate at French Laundry. It was an unparalleled experience. Worth every dollar. My one negative comment – their espresso is watery.
I've always felt like I was the world's biggest fool when I highly overpaid for food. Even in my 20's, in the 70's, my cousin was attending an electronics convention in D.C, her company had rented out an entire floor of the Quality Inn near the Capitol, and she called me in 40-mile-away Baltimore and told me to drive down, bar hop with her and her associates, and sleep in one of the paid-for rooms.
The next morning we arose late and the choice in the hotel restaurant was a tiny $12 hamburger. I told her I didn't care if it was on her expense account, I wasn't paying $12 (about $60 in now money) for a tiny hamburger. We decided to tour the nearby Capitol and, across the street, found a Greek carryout with a $2.99 Gyro platter. THAT tasted good!
A $60 hamburger at a Quality Inn? Are you sure you weren't at Motel 6??
It's like wine: If you spend more than fifteen bucks and less than a hundred, it'll probably be the best darned wine ever. Everything else is just price tags.
Although, coming from Chicago, I do fancy Alinea.
The most expensive meal i've eaten was at Kahala in Osaka, Japan. Kahala is a "kappa" or counter restaurant, similar to minibar, there are only 8 seats with 2 seatings per night. The meal is a modern kaiseki menu that runs about 30,000 yen (about $300 US), not including alcohol. Aside from the food being extremely impressive, Chef Mori-san has also handmade most of the dishes, bowls and plates that you dine on.
Ludo Bites 4.0 in LA. Amazing creativity and style. Tastes that melt in your mouth. Think it was around $175/p. Can't wait till 7.0.
$2200 for three at Per Se. Worth every dime. The food is not the cost driver; it's the wine, which was impeccable.
The Inn at Little Washington, in Virginia about an hour's drive from D.C., offers a superb prix fixe dinner experience for under $200 per person. I've dined at some of the finest restaurants in the United States and Europe, and this restaurant rests at the top of my list of favorites.
My cousin's first anniversary date was there. Her husband is a chef so they both have a very great appreciation of fine food.
I'm looking foward to minibar at some point. I moved to DC just over a year ago and I vowed I'd eat there ta least once before we move away.
I'm fortunate enough to have dined at three of the places on this list: The French Laundry, Per Se, and Joel Robuchon. While I had the best meal of my life at Per Se (closely followed by that from The French Laundry), I have to say that Joel Robuchon was disappointing. If you're in Vegas and in the market, save yourself some money and go to L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon next door. You'll have a much better meal for 1/4 to 1/3 of the price (and you get to see the action since it's an exhibition kitchen).
I enjoyed Atelier a lot. I believe our tasting menu was $165 per person for 9 courses which is easier to take than $385.
$765 per person (plus Service) for an EPIC meal at Blue by Eric Ripert in Grand Cayman. Included an eight course custom tasting menu at $195 pp and a wine paring and tasting featuring wines from the 1976 "Judgement of Paris" tasting at $520 per person (and their signature amazing blue roses for each guest as they left!)
What an experiece!
OK, who's buying?? I'm in.
I'd love to try any one of these. Will I? Not for awhile, I think.
My most expensive was Blue Hill at Stone Barns with the wine flight and worth every penny. Best moment wasn't even the food (athough it was amazing). It was watching Chef Dan Barber walking back to the restaurant through the pastures in his chef whites.
Until recently, that was the best meal I'd ever eaten in my life. Then I went to Momofuku Ko. But yes - holy heck is Stone Barns worth the trek. You can TASTE the caring.
If I won the lottery, I would probably do this once, just for the heck of it, but doubt I could enjoy that much food. I went on a date once many moons ago, and I remember the tab for two was over $500. It was a memorable meal and a memorable date (my heart goes pit pat).
As i am sure his did when he saw the tab...