It seems that your definition of "fine dining" is prejudiced to western cuisines particulary those modeled after the French. If so, you should retitle your posting accordingly. Just realize that there are numerous cultures that have evolved "fine dining" of their own many centuries before the french but are not readily available in western world. A royal thai feast in Thailand will probably cost a lot less than a meal at a 3 * michelin restaurant. Is one, a lesser cuisine than another? Different yes, but not inferior. Likewise, some would consider paying US$100+ for the finest bowl of shark's fin soup in HK a great value compared to say a truffle soup prepared by Alain Ducasse. It can work both ways. All depends on your definition of "fine dining", to me it encompasses pinnacles of any cuisine irregardles of origin ...
