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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you / have you ever spent £300 (or more) on a single meal? Was it worth it?

132 replies

workwoes123 · 18/04/2022 15:50

DH wants us to go for a once-in-a-lifetime meal. We’re in France, one of the top chefs in the world has several restaurants here. His flagship restaurant offer a menu which is €310, not including wine. So we’d be looking at around €700 at least for the two of us. For one meal. Even the children menu is €75.

I can appreciate good food, lovely surroundings, excellent service. But at that price? Even if we could afford it without blinking, I just don’t think I could justify it. Maybe I am being too tight though?

OP posts:
Finfintytint · 18/04/2022 15:53

I would if I had budgeted for it. Wouldn’t be taking any children though. Grin

Shiningpath · 18/04/2022 15:54

I have spent around this much a few times. On some occasions it was absolutely worth it for the food and the experience, on other occasions it was a total waste of money since the food and/or atmosphere weren’t to my taste. Do your research carefully before you make a decision and weigh up what your other options are. If there’s somewhere else in the area you can spend £200 and be just as happy, it might be worth having two great meals than than just one with endless pressure upon it.

RewildingAmbridge · 18/04/2022 15:56

If you can afford it without blinking and you really enjoy fine food and will appreciate it, do it. It's an experience
I absolutely would in your shoes

bellsbuss · 18/04/2022 15:56

Yes we have and it was a lovely experience , it was £350 a head for 7 courses with wine for each course.

JanetPluchinsky · 18/04/2022 15:58

Loads! I’ve only ever been disappointed once.

Eating out is my hobby though, we didn’t do lots of holidays or expensive pastimes so every few months a great meal out is my thing.

My favourite thing to do is a tasting menu with wine flight.

gogohm · 18/04/2022 15:58

Not £350 each but I've paid £250 for 2 people, just under £200 several times. I couldn't justify the gist of a holiday for a meal

MrsDanversBroom · 18/04/2022 15:59

We have, fairly often. It’s mostly been worth it. If you can afford it, do it.

We’ve been to The Fat Duck, Le Manoir a few times, Dinner by Heston, Pollen St Social, the Greenhouse, Hibiscus and quite a few others. We have a high enough income to not mind even if it’s not amazing.

GenuineQ · 18/04/2022 16:00

No, not for food. We are considered reasonably comfortable. The max I ever spent on food was ~£100 pp on a river cruise.

Kite22 · 18/04/2022 16:01

I haven't, and I don't think I would/ could even if I won the lottery or something.

I guess it depends what you are used to, and what your usual budget is.

If that is the sort of 'spare money' you have week in , week out, then you are going to be viewing it differently from those that couldn't begin to imagine that sort of 'treat money'.

Same as if you would normally go to restaurants that cost £100 per head, it is less of a leap than those that would usually spend £20 on a meal out.

BadLad · 18/04/2022 16:05

I have done that a handful of times. I don't think I'd do it at a French restaurant. I imagine the portions are the size of postage stamps.

Lunar27 · 18/04/2022 16:07

Many moons ago I took my wife to New York and booked into Gordon Ramsay's 'The London' restaurant. It was her 40th. I had to save up but fortunately it was 2$/1£ so the $150/head coat was less of a hit.

We had the 13 course taster menu and it was the best meal we've had. How they packed so much flavour into every dish was astonishing.

I've not done anything like that here though. Far too tight for that nowadays!

gingerhills · 18/04/2022 16:11

I haven't. I took the family to Pollen St Social and even the tasting menu with cocktails and champagne managed to come in at well under £200 per person.

actiongirl1978 · 18/04/2022 16:12

Went to the Greenhouse for my 40th (I'd been before in my early 20s and always meant to go back when I could afford more than the August set menu!)

I didn't see the bill but I suspect the drinks came to around £200 so total was around £500

It was sensational. Truffle risotto that I can taste now if I clode my eyes.

I'd say do it if you can afford it.

NeededAction · 18/04/2022 16:13

Ah I so would!! If I wasn’t going to get into debt over it / could genuinely afford it, that is.

In a different mindset, would the stress of the “money wasted” if the experience is not perfect (which it probably wouldn’t be!) outweigh the enjoyment you are getting from the experience itself? For me personally, at 100 a head once in a blue moon as a treat, yes. 350 WITHOUT wine.. makes me grate my teeth a little.

coodawoodashooda · 18/04/2022 16:13

If I could easily afford it then yes. If I had any money concerns for the future, heating the house in winter or having a shit rest of holiday then no.

PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 18/04/2022 16:19

Yes I have. Not with kids in tow though!
I love cooking and love eating amazing food. Yes it is a lot to spend on one meal, but I know a fair few people who spend £30-40 on takeaway a week but would never spend that on one meal.... I'd much rather never have take away and save up for an amazing meal instead.

AnnaSW1 · 18/04/2022 16:19

We do. If you look at it just in terms of the cost of food you'll feel ripped off. For us it's a night out and we enjoy it.

transformandriseup · 18/04/2022 16:25

The most we ever paid once was 180 euros for two in Paris and although the food was great it was more about the experience.

Hamster1111 · 18/04/2022 16:26

I would, for a special occasion! No way would I be taking the kids though!

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 18/04/2022 16:27

Yes, we have - to L'Enclume in Cartmel. My parents took DH and I for my 30th birthday.

I definitely wouldn't take kids as it's really not that kind of restaurant. It was a once in a lifetime experience but I'd never pay it myself.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 18/04/2022 16:29

I would not. I wouldn't appreciate it, I don't enjoy "fancy food" and would rather have chicken and chips.

Sawadeekaka · 18/04/2022 16:32

I did at Noma in Copenhagen. It was an experience but not really my thing to be honest

crazeekat · 18/04/2022 16:33

In France I'd be wanting it served at the top of the Eiffel Tower completed closed off just for us for that price! Wink
But seriously, I'm sorry I like a wee bit luxury now and again but I couldn't
Justify a few morsels of food for
That price. It's still a few hundred pound more than my
Monthly shop. But each to their
Own and if u can afford it, well it's ur money, do what makes u happy, u only live once x

PlinkPlankPlunk · 18/04/2022 16:37

Yes I have, and yes it was.

We’ve been to a few expensive restaurants and each time it’s been so much better than just the food - although the food has been amazing. I love to try as many dishes as possible so I loved those that have a tasting menu, particularly with matched wines. The service is usually top notch so it makes for a fantastic day or evening

Thatswhyimacat · 18/04/2022 16:37

I wouldn't, to be honest. I think more expensive things can be worth the price but there is a limit where surely the food just can't be that much better. I've dined in Michelin starred restaurants for 50 quid so I fail to see how anyone could justify 350 unless it's made of caviar from a coelacanth that is fed only gold. Also I personally tend to not like the service in more upmarket places, too much fussing around you. I'd like to pour my own water please.