January 27, 2005
Dinner at Per Se: Is $440 too much?
Quite the dust-up in the comments section at Gothamist over the $440 per-person tab for a dinner at Per Se. Among the comments: I think digging up the hidden gems of this city is infinitely more satisfying than heading straight to the blue-chip gastronomic temples and gushing over what must be an excellent but certainly not surprising experience. ... I'd also like to add in Laren's defense that people frequently get all up-in-arms about the cost of food at restaurants, but the fact is that every steakhouse in the city sees bills well over $440 per person almost every day, when the really rich (or well expense-accounted) decide to splurge on $2k or $5k bottles of wine. I would certainly say that spending $200 on food is a lot more defensible than spending $2000 on wine. Chill, people: this isn't a zero-sum game. ... From now on, when writing about very expensive places most people cannot afford, don't neglect to mention the starving people in Africa, the victims of various tragedies, and the social injustices inherent in the capitalist system. Such analysis is not only relevant and appropriate, it also adds flavor and texture to a restaurant review. ... In fact, you should think about these topics as you dine, as it will make the flavors richer and the wines sweeter. As an antithesis, I should note it's currently restaurant week (through Feb. 4, excluding weekends,) with many top-notch restaurants in the city offering three-course meals at $20.12 for lunch and $35 for dinner. (Drinks, tax and tip extra.)
Earlier: Kittichai, Cru, Per Se called best new restaurants
Epicurious picks Masa, Per Se and 11 Mad Park
Per Se snags four stars from New York Times
January 27, 2005 09:33 AM in Foodology, Midtown, Romance
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