Most you have ever paid for a restaurant meal

[Alchemist]

Flight from NYC to Oakland (A few hundred), rented convertable (a couple hundred more), drive up Highway 1 towards napa (Gas 20ish) Rachmonoff piano concerto #3 cd (15ish), 2 double double with cheese and animal style fries (10 bucks) cup of coffee to chase away the post prandial narcolepsy (2ish), hotel in Yountville (a couple hundred), incedentials (100), dinner at French laundry (beyond priceless).

[GordonCooks]

I saw this thread and went to my little office to look at my little dining scrap book and re-live some great meals.

One of the most expensive meals I didn't pay for was courtesy of Gordon, a few years ago in Rochester. I remember that freezing night, his hospitality, and the chefs and waiters practically genuflecting before him. Thank you, Gordon.

The most expensive meal I've paid for was at Le Baccarat in the Casino de Hull, now the Casino de Lac Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec. I took my parents. Three martinis, a bottle of wine, superb service and one of the five best restaurant meals of my life. Four hundred CDN.

But I can discount that, I suppose. On the way out, my mother fell into a chat with the maitre d'. She said she loved the Egyptian cotton towels in the Ladies. He disappeared for a few seconds and returned with eight, which he gave to Madame with his compliments. I'd mentioned the beauty of the orchids on the tables. He snapped his fingers, talked to a waiter, and I left with a spray worthy of the Queen on a ceremonial visit.

Some enchanted evening.

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Cheers Maggie, the company was delightful.

[Alchemist]

Earlier this week 2 friends came to visit me in Chicago.

Mon. Agres Deux, asked the manager, Micheal, to "Bring the Noise". Bill: Ouch that stung!

Tue: Schwa, looked aqt the two menus, chose the longer after a nanosecond of contemplation. Blake suggested BOTH menues. A resounding "F%*k Yeah!" from the table. Bill: The BYOB really helped this tab not being frightningly painful.

Friends change flight when we hear we can be sat at Alinia ar 6:15.

Wed: Alinia: Tour, wine pairing. Finished at 11:15ish. Bill: Ouch, but soooo worth it.

Hands down the Best I've ever eaten in three consecutive days. Recovering from gout currently.

Toby

[MattJohnson]

  Recovering from gout currently.

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HAHA

[mcsping]

70 bucks for two *app, two entrees and beer for me* at Waldhorn in Charlotte? Man, I'm an amateur

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I love Waldhorn!

For me, $110 at Delmonico in Las Vegas. Likely to be broken sometime in the next few months at Jean Georges or Per Se or Daniel or Del Posto or _____ now that I live in New York.

[robert40]

Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix. The restaurant bill itself was peanuts. But the gas from NY to Phoenix and back was a killer.

[pansophia]

Hubby and I just spent $375 on our anniversary dinner at La Belle Vie here in Minneapolis. Eight course tasting menu, wine flight, tax, tip, and valet.

L'Atelier in Vegas still wins though, I think we were around $450 there.

[conor610]

I'm such a noob. Last night, Blackbird, $240 incl. 2 cocktails, 1 bottle of wine, 2 apps, 2 entrees, 2 desserts.

But it was the best meal I've ever had. And on a teacher's salary, probably the best I'll have for quite a while-- unless I luck into Alinea rezzies somehow. Then, all bets are off.

[prasantrin]

The most I ever paid for a meal was Euro 300-ish at Steirereck in Vienna. It was the summer of 2004, and my mother, my aunt, and I had travelled to Europe for a family wedding. I knew they wouldn't be too keen on the idea of dining there if they knew the cost (it wasn't that expensive, but we were travelling on the cheap), so I went ahead and booked, and asked the restaurant to provide menus without prices. They were kind enough to do so, and they charged my credit card without my ever having to produce it. My mother and aunt were none the wiser about the cost, and we had a wonderful memory. (The food was good, but not great, but the whole experience was really wonderful, and my mother still talks about it.)

[Greystreet]

I know some of you don't like to show off but I'm sure doc sconz and molto e have a pretty good list to add.

[chickie]

Inn at Little Washington - can't say I remember the exact total, I am going to guess at $500 for 2 of us.

Not really dazzled either....

[Alberts]

Apicius in Paris, two Michelin stars, 10th wedding anniversary, 550 Euro for two with wine. Worth every cent.

When my wife was not interested in some of the items on the tasting menu, the chef created an entirely new fish-based tasting menu for her. The most amazing meal of our lives.

[Bueno]

$1100.00 ($650pp) at L'Atelier de Robuchon in NYC in February. Very very good, but no where near worth the money. Much rather spend it at Per Se, or eat a L'Atelier-quality meal at 11 Madison for far less.

To be fair, we were also gifted several courses at Robuchon, as well given free lunches the following day (we knew someone in the kitchen). Still though, not worth $1100.