Friday Food - 24 courses, $175
Posted on August 18, 2006 by Him and tagged food, luxury
Food is funny. We all have to eat to survive, for nourishment, for that oh-so-great feeling of a full stomach. Some deem food and eating as a trivial necessity, in the same category of light bulbs or putting gas in their car. These people would be quite satisfied in unhinging their jaw like a snake and pouring the food in. These people probably don't want to spend much money in food costs.
Others, I would assume the most of us, like to experience varying levels of flavor in our food with the minimum amount of fuss and the maximum amount of nutrition. Of course that combination can't always be obtained, so sometimes they have to make do. These people mix up eating out and eating in, and want to enjoy the meals rather than treating it like a chore. This crowd will plunk down affordable amounts of dough (GET IT?!?!? HAHAHA) for a good meal.
Then there are the foodies. Never eat at fast food restaurants, calling the grub "dreck." Knows the chefs at five star restaurants. Can tell you the best place for foie gras (which was recently banned in our town of Chicago).
This is pretty old news to many in the Chicago area, but the restaurant Alinea has been crowned foodie heaven. The price? The eight course meal will run $75 a person. Twelve courses is $110 a person. The real reason to go there, though, would be to experience the $175 per person 24-course meal marathon that lasts more than 6 hours. This doesn't even include beverages, but I've heard that a wine flight included with the meal will run another $80. Imagine the tip you'd have to leave! For a good dose of Alinea food porn, local Chicago blog Skillet Doux chronicled the 24-course event on his blog.
We love to eat out, but a meal like this would seriously set us back in the finances department. When we do eat out, we usually hit up the local neighborhood fare instead of the trendier places in town. We find we get better service and great food at good prices. That doesn't mean that I would never consider eating here...maybe when we win the lottery.
Would you ever spend that much money on one meal? What was the most amount of money you have ever spent on one meal?
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Me again - I forgot to say that since I don't eat red meat or fish going to chain restaurants means I almost always get a salad. Boring! I can cook something more filling, tasty, and probably faster at home. Which is why we almost never eat out - it generally isn't any faster nor does it taste better.
liz | Aug 18, 2006
We spent $350 for two of us to eat at Charlie Trotter's in Chicago maybe 10 years ago. It was fabulous and remains our best meal ever. We've never felt the need to go again. One of those once in a lifetime experiences...
Christiana | Aug 18, 2006
$150 for 2 at a fondue restaurant, including drinks (multiple of the mixed alcohol variety) and dessert - 5 courses.
Strawberries | Aug 18, 2006
$340 at the CN Tower in Toronto. For 2.
Was young, carefree and incredibly stupid. But the memories of the evening are what makes it all worthwhile! :D
Theresa | Aug 19, 2006
That's why I always participate in restaurant week in my city (Philadelphia). You get to eat at great restaurants for sometimes half the cost! (You just have to make reservations early.) Or go to the prix fixe lunches too, you can enjoy good food without the huge price tag.
c | Aug 21, 2006
Once or twice a year my husband and I visit a fabulous fondue place that runs about $150 for the two of us (not including alcohol, which we don't drink). It always seems like a lot of money to me, but the food is fabulous and the atmosphere makes each visit a memorable one.
In between we do our own fondue at home which is just as tasty, but definately not the same "experience."
Tom | Aug 21, 2006
Japonais, overlooking the river on Chicago Ave. Dinner for two, plus drinks and tip: $260
It was our anniversary, and this is probably our new favorite restaurant in the city. Thankfully, we don't do this very often!
As a serious foodie, yes, I can see myself spending that much on a meal IF 1) it was Alinea or the caliber of Alinea and 2) it was a once in a while type of extravagance.
For my husband and I, food and wine is our favorite entertainment. Perhaps other people would spend up to $400 on tickets for a particularly special concert - whereas I'd go to Trotters or Arun's.
Obviously, if someone is not a foodie or not adventurous in their food choices, going to Alinea and spending that kind of cash would be pretty wasteful... but for someone who values the experience, it would be a highlight of the year!
edenz713 | Aug 18, 2006
We went to Morimoto's with my brother-in-law and orderd the Omikasa - $100 for 8 courses. It was fabulous! I generally never eat fish b/c I dislike the taste - I loved the fish on our menu (it changes every night). That being said - it's definately not something to do very often. At some point we'd like to be able to eat like that on a more regular basis - say once or twice a year. It sounds expensive, but we almost never eat out so it would probably even out over a year. For example, we could go to a chain restaurant once a month for $30 -> $360 a year or go to a really nice restaurant once a year -> $250 (with drinks, etc).
Plus it's way more memorable and fun than going to a chain.
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