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Years ago I held together a prickly problem at work, and was rewarded with a gift certificate for a weekend at a very fancy boutique hotel on Union Square in San Francisco, plus a $250 certificate for dinner at their fancy-shmancy restaurant. I invited a friend to go with me to dinner since he had heard the saga of the work-related problem for days on the phone, and had helped me maintain my sanity while I was in the thick of it.
The dinner was amazing, but it consisted of a few of those those teeny-tiny plates where you literally get 3 or 4 bites to eat. Some weird stuff, too, like sea urchin foam, foams being very trendy back in the early 2000s. We ordered a medium-priced bottle of wine and even with the gift certificate, I STILL had to pay $60 out of my pocket.
Given that the whole weekend was otherwise free and the hotel was the kind of place I'll never stay again (it was where Robert Redford stayed when he was in the city), that was ok. But even though I'm by no means a big eater or a meat-and-potatoes person, it was still too small of a meal for me, and at that price? Even if I were incredibly wealthy I wouldn't spend that kind of money for that small of a dinner very often, no matter how tasty it is.
My wife and I go out to eat a lot, but like most people, we are on a budget. Prices are creeping up and we are trying to determine how much is too much and how to get more value. We normally go out to lunch, since it is usually cheaper than dinner (why, I don't understand. Your stomach can't tell the difference). For you out there is CD land, how much is too much to pay for a restaurant meal, especially for lunch? Do you prefer fast casual, casual, fast food, buffets, cafeteria style, or something else? For the restaurant haters, I know eating at home is cheaper, but I'm interested in restaurant diners specifically
I don’t usually have a what is too much bar. I go by the quality of food and service. We usually go out on Saturdays. We have gone to restaurants where we got a 50/60 dollar bill and I’ve gone to places (special occasions) where I had 3/400 dollar bills. But special occasion like anniversary or our birthdays.
What I would do is go out less often if I had a budget as I prefer to pay more for a less often frequented restaurant with a better meal and service than going out all th3 time to eat a more mediocre meal and service.
I normally go to sit dish restaurants. Once in a while i hit up a fast food like In and Out. There are a few Mexican food places that are really good around here. Sometimes we go to Jersey Mike. We very very rarely do the McDonald Carl’s Burger King TacoBell.
But we mostly eat at home 6 days a week. I can buy better food cheaper and cook it
We prefer fine dining with entrees and appetizers and some times dessert we are not inclined to prepare at home. We also look for a nice setting with tablecloths, candle lighting, some privacy between tables, etc. For this type experience, we pay a $100-$125 a couple (may include a few glasses of wine).
We occasionally do take-out a couple times a month.
We do try to stay within a budget so we may dine out 1-2 times a month as opposed to lower cost options more frequently.
We don't eat out a lot and we are not big drinkers. So when we do eat out, we might spend a lot. I have a few favorite restaurants that we go to. One is Per Se in NYC. I think the tasting menu is around $300 pp, but you can eat in the bar and get a smaller menu for under $200. It has always been outstanding. We go when we are in NYC, which is usually every 4 or 5 years. I am sure they hate it that we don't have a big bar tab but whatever.
My husband doesn't like to eat out locally, so we cook almost every night when we are home. He's of Italian descent so food is important to him. And he is an amazing cook. I eat the leftovers for lunch.
Probably 90% of our eating out is done while we are on vacation. When we get home, we are tired of eating out and so we cook again. But last summer, we went to the South of France. I always thought there was no better food than in Italy, but wow, was the food amazing. Lot's of simple dishes that didn't have heavy sauces and the most amazing vegetables I have ever tasted. If I could live there, I could eat out every day. There were some expensive places and some moderately priced places. The area in general is expensive.
One of the most popular places in Chicago is called Alinea. We have only been there once. It is a tasting menu. It didn't really knock our socks off so we haven't been back. Most of our favorite places in Chicago have closed. I read an article that said restaurants are struggling to survive in Chicago because there is so much competition.
I live in Chicago and the food options are endless. I'm a foodie, so I eat out at restaurants more than I probably should. But the ones I do eat at really aren't too expensive.. I like to eat at a lot of Asian and Eastern European restaurants and I usually don't spend more than $13 or $14 for an entree. If I want to order drinks, I of course pay more.. I rarely ever would spend $30+ for an entree because that's just too much.. There are plenty of other great restaurants around here that don't break the bank.
Steak and Shake is one of least expensive places I know to eat.And most places we have lived: Waffle House has not been cheap: Not expensive, but not cheap.
Steak and Shake is really inexpensive if you stick to the $4 meals which has some excellent selections. They also add a lot more options at a time when most places are reducing their lower priced options.
When did Waffle House get so expensive? The last two times we have been there it is pushing $25-30 for two. There are two many good local options for less than that. Lately, one of the local casinos serves a senior breakfast on Mondays for $2 including free drinks.
Years ago I held together a prickly problem at work, and was rewarded with a gift certificate for a weekend at a very fancy boutique hotel on Union Square in San Francisco, plus a $250 certificate for dinner at their fancy-shmancy restaurant. I invited a friend to go with me to dinner since he had heard the saga of the work-related problem for days on the phone, and had helped me maintain my sanity while I was in the thick of it.
The dinner was amazing, but it consisted of a few of those those teeny-tiny plates where you literally get 3 or 4 bites to eat. Some weird stuff, too, like sea urchin foam, foams being very trendy back in the early 2000s. We ordered a medium-priced bottle of wine and even with the gift certificate, I STILL had to pay $60 out of my pocket.
Given that the whole weekend was otherwise free and the hotel was the kind of place I'll never stay again (it was where Robert Redford stayed when he was in the city), that was ok. But even though I'm by no means a big eater or a meat-and-potatoes person, it was still too small of a meal for me, and at that price? Even if I were incredibly wealthy I wouldn't spend that kind of money for that small of a dinner very often, no matter how tasty it is.
sea urchin foam: wow, now that sound a NOT. I can identify with the prices though, We lived in the bay area for several years way back when.
I am not cheap,love a good meal, but also would rather have a couple good meals for $200 plus than one just to say I ate a so and so. I feel even places like Ruth's Chris are over priced for the quality.
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There are lots of restaurant guides, apps and reviews out there and an increasing number have a ranking in terms of both quality and experience as well as affordability and price.
The internet has made it far easier to do some researh before booking a restaurant.
As already stated, what you pay is often related to whether the restaurant is fine dining or casual, and also how prestigous in terms of awards and accolades. Expect to pay more at a Michelin starred restaurant for instance.
We prefer fine dining with entrees and appetizers and some times dessert we are not inclined to prepare at home. We also look for a nice setting with tablecloths, candle lighting, some privacy between tables, etc. For this type experience, we pay a $100-$125 a couple (may include a few glasses of wine).
We occasionally do take-out a couple times a month.
We do try to stay within a budget so we may dine out 1-2 times a month as opposed to lower cost options more frequently.
wow, sounds like you have found places that do offer a little bit more for a reasonable price. We only do the $100 or more once of twice a year and it normally doesn't include appetizers and or dessert: the wine, yes. I know what you mean about privacy between the tables. Does the $100 include tip?
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NOT. I can identify with the prices though, We lived in the bay area for several years way back when. 
