NationStates Jolt Archive

I just had a 326 Dollar (USD) meal. I didn't pay, but do any of you you think that was a tad too much for food? Considering that that money could have bought alot of beans and rice for some starving people in Ethiopia or something...

(To be fair I gave a bum outside of the JW Marriot in Buckhead 20$.)

There's no meal on earth worth that much money! :p

So long as it tasted good.

There's no meal on earth worth that much money! :p

Well the food itself was probably 50 bucks. The rest was spent on some very nice wine and scotch.

There's no meal on earth worth that much money! :p
Seconded.

To hell with Ethiopia, that could have bought a lot of beans and rice for starving people in New Orleans and environs.

Still, sometimes you just gotta splurge.

Well the food itself was probbly 50 bucks. The rest was spent on some very nice wine and scotch.

Oh, well, that's entirely different. Cheap scotch is like Jenna Bush. Fucking useless.

There's no meal on earth worth that much money! :p

Speaking as a chef I would disagree. Though, working as a chef, I can say that I could never afford to eat something that expensive. It all comes down to the ingredients.

if its good food its worth that much

Speaking as a chef I would disagree. Though, working as a chef, I can say that I could never afford to eat something that expensive. It all comes down to the ingredients.


Well, Im not a chef, but I can cook.

The difference is you might put some truffle oil, and some saffron in something, and charge someone 50 bucks to eat it.

No meal is truly worth 326 dollars.

if its good food its worth that much
Horsecrap. I've eaten good food from Bangkok to Munich and never paid anything even close to that much for it.

There's no meal on earth worth that much money! :p


Also, one has to remember that the restaurant industry is one of the least profitable in the world. It's not as though a lion's share of the money you spend on a meal out is going in an owner's pocket as profit. If a restaurant turns more than 2% profit in a year that's considered booming business.

Well, Im not a chef, but I can cook.

The difference is you might put some truffle oil, and some saffron in something, and charge someone 50 bucks to eat it.

No meal is truly worth 326 dollars.

The alchohol was, trust me. And the food I had was some kind of Brazillian where they bring you large portions of various types of meat to your table on skewers and you get to eat as much of that as you want. So I guess if you eat enough beef you'll make your meal worth it. (BTW, it was like sex in my mouth... it was that good)

Horsecrap. I've eaten good food from Bangkok to Munich and never paid anything even close to that much for it.

i have had several good meals for way under that price to, but some time its fun to splurge that much on a meal especially if your with your 6 best friends or your family.

Also, one has to remember that the restaurant industry is one of the least profitable in the world. It's not as though a lion's share of the money you spend on a meal out is going in an owner's pocket as profit. If a restaurant turns more than 2% profit in a year that's considered booming business.


You must be mistaken.

I onced looking into buying a franchise steak restaurant, with some friends.
After an initial investment of 100,000 dollars, the coporation promised a return of over a million.

Perhaps the high-end, independantly owned places are only making 2%, but many, many others are making assloads.

i have had several good meals for way under that price to, but some time its fun to splurge that much on a meal especially if your with your 6 best friends or your family.

Well, my Dad splurged on it. Not me. And it was nice having a nice meal with my Mom and my Dad. (both are divorced so this is RARE)

The alchohol was, trust me. And the food I had was some kind of Brazillian where they bring you large portions of various types of meat to your table on skewers and you get to eat as much of that as you want. So I guess if you eat enough beef you'll make your meal worth it. (BTW, it was like sex in my mouth... it was that good)


Well, Ive had some expensive meals too.

In an Ethiopian place in Detroit, the meal was about 100$ after food, and Honey-Wine.
(No sugar cane or sugar beets in ethiopia, so everything is sweetened with honey)

It was daaaaamn goooooood.

No silverware.
Eat with your hands.

Well, my Dad splurged on it. Not me. And it was nice having a nice meal with my Mom and my Dad. (both are divorced so this is RARE)
an even better way to spend 300+, hope you had a blast! :)

Well, Im not a chef, but I can cook.

The difference is you might put some truffle oil, and some saffron in something, and charge someone 50 bucks to eat it.

No meal is truly worth 326 dollars.

This post illustrates the wall between the chef and the home cook. Some examples of fine food costs.

Fresh black truffles: $200+ per lb. (white truffles are even more expensive)
Foie Gras: $50+ per lb
Saffron: $1000+ per oz (that's right, per OUNCE, sorry for the earlier typo)
Caviar: Beluga $2000+ per lb, Osetra $900+ per lb, Sevruga $800+ per lb

And the list goes on. Now, mind you these are "restaurant" prices, these things would be nearly double in price were they sold in smaller amounts to the general public.

EDIT: Also add to these costs the labor involved with preparing the dishes, serving the dishes, and washing the dishes. The MASSIVE utility costs in operating a restaurant, insurance, laundry service, equipment, cleaning, and another long laundry list of things that cost.

Only a national corporate chain restaurant actually makes money, and they do it by cutting corners.

Well, Ive had some expensive meals too.

In an Ethiopian place in Detroit, the meal was about 100$ after food, and Honey-Wine.
(No sugar cane or sugar beets in ethiopia, so everything is sweetened with honey)

It was daaaaamn goooooood.

No silverware.
Eat with your hands.

Hm. Theres supposedly a good Ethiopian place in Atlanta. If you thought it was good I might go try it sometime.

This post illustrates the wall between the chef and the home cook. Some examples of fine food costs.

Fresh black truffles: $200+ per lb. (white truffles are even more expensive)
Foie Gras: $50+ per lb
Saffron: $1000+ per lb
Caviar: Beluga $2000+ per lb, Osetra $900+ per lb, Sevruga $800+ per lb

And the list goes on. Now, mind you these are "restaurant" prices, these things would be nearly double in price were they sold in smaller amounts to the general public.
Well, call me plebian if you like, but I've sampled all of the above at times in my life and IMHO, the taste doesn't justify the expense, not by a long shot!

Well, call me plebian if you like, but I've sampled all of the above at times in my life and IMHO, the taste doesn't justify the expense, not by a long shot!

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to insult you (at least on this thread). I'm just trying to show how the cost of a meal out can add up. People get so indignant when others try to explain the astronomical amount of money that has to go out the door in order to make great food, and get even more indignant over a properly priced bill for said food. I'm just sticking up for my profession.

You should feel ashamed.

dont you just love supply and demand?

dont you just love supply and demand?

It's not just about that. Honestly.

Did you know that it takes a field of crocuses the size of a football field to harvest one ounce of saffron? And, it CAN NOT be harvested by machine. That means that each little hair in the flower has to be removed by hand.

Truffles can not be cultivated, and have to be hunted for by specially trained pigs and/or dogs. Then dug up by hand so as not to damage them, then carefully brushed to remove dirt, because rinsing them would damage their flavor.

Foie Gras can only be produced and harvested by hand as well.

All these things generate huge costs.

Let me ask this.

Is spending an equivalent amount of money on a car "worth it?"

For instance Bugati builds all their cars, by hand, to order, and they charge well in excees of $500,000 for some models. Is that "worth it"?

EDIT: Essentially, what I'm saying is that one can't lay thier own subjectivity over the entire world. In this particular sense, what's good for the goose isn't neccesarily good for the gander.

i was being sarcastic.... i should have said that sorry

Yeah, it's a lot of money to spend on one meal. I don't have that sort of cash. Three hundred of my dollars would be better spent on four weeks' worth of groceries. That being said, I can see why some restaurants might charge that much and why some people might pay that much. You're not just purchasing the food; you're receiving the chef's time, effort, and expertise. You're paying for the atmosphere. You're paying for the quality. You're paying for the convenience. You're paying for the wait staff.

I just had a 326 Dollar (USD) meal. I didn't pay, but do any of you you think that was a tad too much for food? Considering that that money could have bought alot of beans and rice for some starving people in Ethiopia or something...

(To be fair I gave a bum outside of the JW Marriot in Buckhead 20$.)


actually its not, because i spent somewhere between the ranges of 600-800 dollar (USD) on a meal before, of course that was with 3 other people and its was at a resturuant that could rival the :sniper: oops, got sniped...

I like food. I'd like to be able to afford decent food. The only time I've eaten really nice food (like swanky food - not just nice tasting :p ), was at my formal, and a friend's wedding.

That's really interesting UG, I didn't know that. It makes it all sound kinda romantic :fluffle: .

as much as i hate it cause i usually have to hit the can within an hour,
i'd rather eat at mcdonls.


+there's plenty of good resturants out there for way under that.

with alchohol, the only reason to drink it is to get wasted,
or a buzz. none of it tastes good, period. why spend so much?


to each their own I guess.
just don't delude yourself into thinking that trickle down
will solve new orleans, before or after the hurricane, ever.

Brazillian Buffet for USD 300+? Is it per person or everybody combined?

The meat better be Kobe Beef!

I had fantastic meats in my life, but never that expensive. I must try one day when I got the cash. :D

was the $326 for your portion of the bill alone? did you drink $275 worth of booze all by yourself?

The alchohol was, trust me. And the food I had was some kind of Brazillian where they bring you large portions of various types of meat to your table on skewers and you get to eat as much of that as you want. So I guess if you eat enough beef you'll make your meal worth it. (BTW, it was like sex in my mouth... it was that good)If you appreciate good alcohol that much, buy the bottle. The meal doesn't sound all that appealing to me, but to each his own.
All the same, you can get sex in your mouth for free. You can even get paid $50 for it.

Let me ask this.
Is spending an equivalent amount of money on a car "worth it?"No.

For instance Bugati builds all their cars, by hand, to order, and they charge well in excees of $500,000 for some models. Is that "worth it"?That's not "worth it"; that's obscene.

No. That's not "worth it"; that's obscene.
That's a symptom of what happens when people have more money than they know what to do with. :(

All the same, you can get sex in your mouth for free. You can even get paid $50 for it.
LOL! :D

How can it be too expensive if you're not paying for it?

I hope you ordered dessert!

I just had a 326 Dollar (USD) meal. I didn't pay, but do any of you you think that was a tad too much for food? Considering that that money could have bought alot of beans and rice for some starving people in Ethiopia or something...

(To be fair I gave a bum outside of the JW Marriot in Buckhead 20$.)
:shock:

Geez, that's more than I spend on groceries for a couple months!

I think it's not excessive. If it was a special occasion, if the food was good, if you enjoyed it, why not?
And as for that "distribute the wealth" etc, I've recently decided that you can't restrict your own living just so that you don't feel guilty about other people's misfortune. It is not your fault that they don't live as well as you, and not living to the full extent of your means is not ultimately going to help anyone.
And I am violently opposed to Communism, so, yeah.
I'd like to be able to afford that kind of meal - some day I plan to be able to. *nods*
So I say, yeah, I don't see a problem.

Since there were three people there that comes to $108.60 per person. Expensive, but no more than a long night at Bob Chinn's Crabhouse with plenty of pitchers of Mai-Tais.

I think it's not excessive. If it was a special occasion, if the food was good, if you enjoyed it, why not?Guaranteed they could have eaten good food and drank good wine for less than that. A dinner party is a good dinner party is the food is at least ok and the company was great. A bad dinner party is fantastic food and drink, and Uncle Bob getting smashed and hitting on his sister-in-law. The food has very little to do with it. As long as it's not burnt or putrid... food is food.

And as for that "distribute the wealth" etc, I've recently decided that you can't restrict your own living just so that you don't feel guilty about other people's misfortune. It is not your fault that they don't live as well as you, and not living to the full extent of your means is not ultimately going to help anyone.Live simply so that others may simply live - Ghandi
If I had $500,000 to spend on a car, I'd use $20,000 to pimp out my '91 Dodge Shadow (which is already in great condition) that I bought for $200. Assuming that I could actually afford a $500,000 luxury and had more than enough money to live on otherwise, guess where the $480,000 would be going?
http://www.worldonfire.ca/
http://www.worldonfire.ca/donations.html

Hey Look either loads of ppl were eating which would have uped the price? and if not, well ya its horrific how many ppl are starving through out the world, But meals are expensive and if you had nice wine and scotch well then that explains the price. I went to a fantastic place in Kinsale(in Ireland) with my Dad recently and for the two of us for a 3 course meal it cost almost E100. In sayin that all my family give money to charities like GOAL and Concern.

I only make about $400-something in a paycheck, so I'd lean toward saying that's a damn lotta money for just one meal. I think the most I've ever spent on just myself was like $12, although for groups I think the most I've spent was $50, although that was in Canadian money so I have no clue what it equals in US dollars and I don't know if it was because it was a tourist area or what but I was under the impression everything was more expensive up there...

with alchohol, the only reason to drink it is to get wasted,
or a buzz. none of it tastes good, period. why spend so much?
What on earth have you been drinkign if you've never had good alcohol?

Try a shot of southern comfort, drink a non-american beer, have a glass of dessert wine, try some goldschlager or fireball, have a nice mixed drink et c. There are some delicious tasting liquors out there.

I only make about $400-something in a paycheck, so I'd lean toward saying that's a damn lotta money for just one meal. I think the most I've ever spent on just myself was like $12, although for groups I think the most I've spent was $50, although that was in Canadian money so I have no clue what it equals in US dollars and I don't know if it was because it was a tourist area or what but I was under the impression everything was more expensive up there...
A group how big? $50 CDN is usually somewhere between $50 and $40 USD and usually canadian prices are the same as american prices (which is where you guys get ripped off horribly when the exchange difference is large)

spending $326 on a meal IS redistributing the wealth.

its taking money idling in dad's bank account and passing it on to hard working restaurant employees.

and getting fed at the same time!

win/win

Guaranteed they could have eaten good food and drank good wine for less than that. A dinner party is a good dinner party is the food is at least ok and the company was great. A bad dinner party is fantastic food and drink, and Uncle Bob getting smashed and hitting on his sister-in-law. The food has very little to do with it. As long as it's not burnt or putrid... food is food.

That wasn't my point - I accept that it's the company that counts more than the food. But as for myself, not someone who has been to a lot of fancy restauraunts in my time, coming from the middle class as I do, I find oppulence fun. I plan to earn money with a career so I can afford such casual extravagancies, because it's nice to spoil yourself. So I don't think it's too much.


Live simply so that others may simply live - Ghandi
If I had $500,000 to spend on a car, I'd use $20,000 to pimp out my '91 Dodge Shadow (which is already in great condition) that I bought for $200. Assuming that I could actually afford a $500,000 luxury and had more than enough money to live on otherwise, guess where the $480,000 would be going?
http://www.worldonfire.ca/
http://www.worldonfire.ca/donations.html

Fair enough. That's not what I would do, however. I'm aware that I'm fairly selfish, but I don't see that I should ever feel guilty for being more economically secure than other people in the world. As it is, yes, I donate to charities on the odd occasion, but I feel no compulsion to sacrifice the quality of life that I am able to maintain to donate more to charities. I just don't. And when I have a career and earn more money I will still feel the same way.

I'm aware that I'm fairly selfish, but I don't see that I should ever feel guilty for being more economically secure than other people in the world. As it is, yes, I donate to charities on the odd occasion, but I feel no compulsion to sacrifice the quality of life that I am able to maintain to donate more to charities. I just don't. And when I have a career and earn more money I will still feel the same way.
Just try to remember, after you start making the mega-bucks, that what you leave behind will define who you were to those remaining. It won't be your money or your possessions they'll remember you for, it will be the devotion, compassion and thoughtfulness you exhibited.

Just try to remember, after you start making the mega-bucks, that what you leave behind will define who you were to those remaining. It won't be your money or your possessions they'll remember you for, it will be the devotion, compassion and thoughtfulness you exhibited.

Just because I'm not willing to live less than within the comfort zone of my income doesn't mean I'm not a good person. I take offense from that.
The only people I expect to remember me are my loved ones - family and friends. Their opinions will be the only ones that count. And interestingly, I'm not really a materialistic person. I just don't see the point in feeling guilty for being successful.
Of course, if I achieve my ultimate goal as Ruler of the World, all will remember me for my iron-fisted tyranny, yet will confusedly realise that while the world was unitied in oppression, there was no war, and a significantly lower level of suffering.

Fair enough. That's not what I would do, however. I'm aware that I'm fairly selfish, but I don't see that I should ever feel guilty for being more economically secure than other people in the world. As it is, yes, I donate to charities on the odd occasion, but I feel no compulsion to sacrifice the quality of life that I am able to maintain to donate more to charities. I just don't. And when I have a career and earn more money I will still feel the same way.And I don't judge quality of life based on material possesions. If you don't have enough to eat, obviously your life isn't so good. If you have everything you need, a few small luxuries, and all the immaterial things like love, family, purpose in life etc. (the things that really make you happy), then your quality of life is as good as it gets.
An insanely expensive car or over-priced food are not things that increase one's quality of life.
If you honestly judge your quality of life by how much money you have, then that is a sad thing indeed.

And I don't judge quality of life based on material possesions. If you don't have enough to eat, obviously your life isn't so good. If you have everything you need, a few small luxuries, and all the immaterial things like love, family, purpose in life etc. (the things that really make you happy), then your quality of life is as good as it gets.
An insanely expensive car or over-priced food are not things that increase one's quality of life.
If you honestly judge your quality of life by how much money you have, then that is a sad thing indeed.

Arg! No! That is not what I have been saying at all.
I never said that money is the most important thing in the world, at all.
I judge my life to be good because I have love, friendship, a good family, a reliable home, food, clothing. I can afford some luxuries, and because I'm happy in my life I want for very little. BUT it would be nice to have extra luxuries, and this is what I aim for, as I don't HAVE To aim for the more important things, as I already posess them.

That was not my point at all, I cannot stress this enough.

I was in Buckhead friday night, and I didn't give shit to nobody.