LHMARK From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 7255 posts, RR: 51 Posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1193 times:
Well here I am, roped into taking my wife out to a nice restaurant. This will cost me at least $100, Probably around $150 after tax and tip.
It got me thinking, what's the upper limit for a reasonable price for fine dining? When does the law of diminishing returns kick in? What is the most you'd spend on a nice dinner?
Obviously, geography plays a role. It's cheaper to eat well here in Crapchester than in New York City or Paris.
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Aloges From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 8394 posts, RR: 47 Reply 1, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1184 times:
I'd say 5 hours plus the time I need for shopping... oh, you mean money. Let's say, €150 for two plus drinks if it's a chef who likes to experiment and whose experiments I like. Obviously, I'd have to have that kind of money to spend in the first place!
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Corey07850 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2522 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1173 times:
Quoting LHMARK (Thread starter):
Obviously, geography plays a role. It's cheaper to eat well here in Crapchester than in New York City or Paris.
Absolutely... I looked at the prices for the restuarant you're going to and the prices of most of those entrees would equate to the prices of appetizers here in NYC. That restuarant is actually really reasonably priced and looks pretty good. Pork chops and polenta for $20 is sweet.
I've personally spent about $200 for a dinner for two at a nice restaurant in Maui... It's the wine and dessert that really racks up the bill!
Superfly From Thailand, joined May 2000, 38599 posts, RR: 79 Reply 3, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1156 times:
Despite our expensive reputation out here in SFO, eating out is rather cheap. A really nice upscale restaurant isn't much more than what you'd spend at a typical chain restaurant. Eating out in Chicago, New York and Paris is a lot higher.
The most I've spend on a dinner for two was $77.
That's nothing compared to what our meal could have cost at upscale places in other cities.
Corey07850:
Those outer islands of Hawaii are very expensive in terms of eating out. We spend $50-$60 on just average meals on the Big Island and Molokai. Despite the tourist hell of Waikiki Beach, we were relieved that we could get all you can eat buffets for just $9. The two weeks of eating out on the other two islands really burned a hole in our wallets.
ZBBYLW From Canada, joined Nov 2006, 1927 posts, RR: 7 Reply 6, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 1142 times:
The most I have personally spent was $150 for two. The most expensive meal I have ever eaten was $2,300 or so (forget exactly) Euros at some small restaurant in Venice, thank good I was with a wealthy family and they covered it. The big thing was the wine, two very expensive glasses racks up the bill BIG TIME... Other then that everything else was nice... I prefer to keep my usual dinning under $100 though... preferably under $50.
Braybuddy From Ireland, joined Aug 2004, 5306 posts, RR: 35 Reply 8, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 1116 times:
The most I ever spent was in the Michelin-starred Guilbaud's in Dublin. Every so often I go with one of my mates to a good restaurant, taking it in turns to pick up the tab, making a night of it by dressing up and then going on the tear afterwards. We had a great night, and the total, including tip, came to €350 for two. Was it worth it? Both of us are single with no real commitments, and it was an experience, from start to finish, and the food and service were superb: I reckon if you wanted to fart they'd lift the cheek of your arse off the chair.
It's the sort of thing you do once in a blue moon, and, hey, there are no pockets in shrouds . . .
ScarletHarlot From Canada, joined Jul 2003, 4673 posts, RR: 59 Reply 9, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 1111 times:
We like to go out for good meals. We've spent $100 per person many times. The most we ever spent was $250 per person at The Herbfarm in Woodinville, WA. We had wanted to go there for years - unfortunately, we went exactly a year ago, when I was dealing with a herniated disc in my back. I could not sit for very long, and it is a four hour, nine course meal. I also could not drink any alcohol because I was on so many meds. It was still a great experience, but I am looking forward to going back and really appreciating it.
Srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16896 posts, RR: 51 Reply 11, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 1092 times:
The most I've ever spend on dinner was about $150 It was a group meal, and everyone chipped in $120 on the meal, and everyone ran their drink tab separately.
In the case of taking someone out for a nice dinner, $200-$250 overall.
LH459 From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 886 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1078 times:
Quoting Superfly (Reply 3): Despite our expensive reputation out here in SFO, eating out is rather cheap.
That's true, and isn't it fantastic! I've spent $120 or less on some amazing meals for two here in the Bay Area. I can't believe how much people pay for mediocre food at chain restaurants!
But back to the question at hand: I would spend up to $300 for a really nice dinner out, for my partner and me, but I can only pull that off about once a year. $100-$150 is a more typical tab for a nice dinner at our favorite places.
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KiwiinOz From New Zealand, joined Oct 2005, 2044 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1065 times:
Recently spent HK$4000 on a meal for two, (about US$500). Was a little shocking as I wouldn't normally spend that much personally. Entertaining clients, I have taken a group of 4 to dinner in Tokyo and it cost my company US$9000. Abalone is a killer!!
I think it's rare that a fine dining experience can beat al-fresco, hands in, ripping some crab to pieces sort of dining, (for me anyway). Therefore I will typically only spend a shitload if it's going to mean a lot to someone else, (wife, usually).
Asuflyer05 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2369 posts, RR: 3 Reply 14, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days ago) and read 1061 times:
Depends on the night. Sometimes going to a great restaurant and having dinner and a few glasses (err bottles) of wine is better than a cheaper dinner and a play.
Case in point, Tabla in Manhattan, dinner for 3 - $375. But it was an experience not just a meal. Menu
RichPhitzwell From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days ago) and read 1058 times:
Same response as the bar tab one.
Business life, pretty high up and can run around $1000 or $2000 per person, never really kept track. Personal life is around $25, im really a cheap arse.
I personally dont like fancy restaurants, and will flock to a mom and pop any day.
Pretty reasonable tab, cheap even, for two people at a decent restaurant. Not bad at all, in fact quite average for Anchorage at Simons, Club Paris, Sea Galley, Peppermill, Double Musky . . . .
I've dropped $500 on dinner for two before . . . just for the experience of the restaurant.
Saxdiva From United States of America, joined exactly 9 years ago today! , 2382 posts, RR: 46 Reply 17, posted (6 years 1 month 4 days ago) and read 1048 times:
I think I once spent about $150 (myself only) when I was out with a group, but that's an extremely rare occurance. Mr. Diva and I will occasionally (like, 2-3 times a year) have a dinner that nicks us for $125 with drinks--mostly, this happens at clubs where we're more interested in the entertainment than the food, anyway.
What's really killed us is the value of the dollar, because it's made eating out in *really* cool places (like, um, dinner in Amsterdam) especially expensive.
Which reminds me... we're headed to Switzerland (or so I'm told by Mr. Diva this morning) for the Montreaux Jazz Festival in July. Any good eats in Lake Geneva?
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 11257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 19, posted (6 years 1 month 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1018 times:
The most I have ever spent is about £30/$60 one a dinner for two. However when I have a little more cash and am not a student, then with the right company and right circumstances, I wouldn't worry if the bill was significant. After all, it's my money that I have worked hard for, so why not enjoy it!
Currently dinner has to be around £2-3 per day to fit into my budget.
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 11257 posts, RR: 63 Reply 21, posted (6 years 1 month 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1011 times:
Quoting RichPhitzwell (Reply 20): How? How do you do it? I have tried to spend less on meals (see cheep arse) but unless i eat just noodles...
Can you actually have a real meal?
It's quite easy, my weekly budget of food is an absolute maximum of £5 per day, so cereal for breakfast is just 25p or so (whichever one is BOGOF) then lunch is a load of bread, ranges between 18p and 80p depending on which I have, the price of a tomato or some spread to go with it is negligible, so usually this leaves me with around £4 left for dinner, however I aim for less. Ready meals are good because they are usually on offer, buy 2 get one free, or buy two for a reduced amount, they are not overly good for nutrition on their own but they do form a base to add other ingredients to. Failing that soup is always a good and cheap option, again with bread which is cheap, or basically whatever else is on offer at the local shop. BOGOF on Sausages; gives me 16 for under £2 - so that's a couple of meals, plus I share the cooking with mates, which brings the price down again. Mashed potato is a great side to a meal, goes with many meats and is cheap, just boiled up a few potatoes! Of course, occasionally I do really treat myself, but the rest of the time I would rather save my money for travelling or a few beers at the local...or both!
Comorin From United States of America, joined May 2005, 4724 posts, RR: 17 Reply 22, posted (6 years 1 month 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1011 times:
You can get a steak, salad, side and dessert at Spark's in NYC for about $90. Add another $40 for liquor, and you get a 'Gold Standard' to measure other experiences by.
You could up the service to Four Seasons standards and add another $25. Rack up the ambiance to River Cafe levels and add yet another $25. Finally, you may pay more for exotic Japanese ingredients like Masa and you'd throw in another $100.
Unfortunately, NYC is not Paris, and you will not find the trinity of perfect service, food and ambiance here. But neither will you find NYC's unique buzz anywhere else.
I much prefer the many good meals you can get in this city for under $50 per head. But opportunity abounds for the very special event - Omekase at Masa, or the Tasting Menu at Per Se which will set one back about $300 per head.
So if you have a slice of Pizza for lunch ($2) and a burger for Dinner ($3) for a whole week, and then splurge at Per Se, you won't feel so guilty.
BAGoldEx From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 302 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (6 years 1 month 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 982 times:
For a typical, nice dinner with clients, I try to keep it under $1,000 per person, and with my lover, it tends to total about $3,000. Even on an average night, my tab usually approaches $150. The most I have ever spent was election night 2004,(at about 7 pm EST when we all thought Kerry had it wrapped up) I spent $12,000 for three people including kobe, lobster, hors d'oeuvres, champagne, scotch, port, and cognac. It was quite the impressive spread and considering we all thought Kerry had won, it was well worth it.
25 ShyFlyer: As for myself, I'm of the same mind as Springbok: Now if I'm on a date, I don't see me spending more than $80.[Edited 2007-05-19 06:35:57]
26 Pilotdude09: To be honest, if its really good food somewhere with a great reputation id pay $300 upwards. When we were in Vegas my parents blew 350 at the Paris Bu
27 HAWK21M: If Im taking the Family out.Anything between Rs500 to 2500. If Im alone maybe Rs 60. regds MEL
28 Egmcman: Around £20/head when I took my family out form my Dad's birthday last year.
29 Saxdiva: Honestly, I'm with you on this. Don't get me wrong--I love good food--but most of the stuff you find at a $100/plate restaurant just isn't my prefere
30 Comorin: And that, I presume, is the price of a 'Vada Pav'
31 Airfoilsguy: The most I have spent on diner was about $1000 dollars for my parents and my then fiancee. This was at a restaurant in Paris with 2 bottles of wine. T
33 CaptOveur: I personally don't have an upper limit as long as I can afford it- and it's worth it The food better be god damned out of this world if I am going to
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