Current Events > I had my first disappointing Michelin star dinner last weekend.

(+) Yeah! (+)

OK, thanks for the detailed answer!

pinky0926 posted...

It's not that deep dude.

It's cool Lucille Bluth. But for reference I'm just gonna ask again about this comparison

"I prefer to spend money on experiences than things - some people would not balk at spending 4k on a gaming PC or 40k on a car"

People probably wouldn't balk at a 40k car since the average car price (non-luxury) is actually higher than that, while the average PC price is nowhere near that so this comparison doesn't make sense

Most me and the wife have ever spent on dinner was 70 I believe (fancy steakhouse, our anniversary. Well worth the price). I cant see myself spending ten times that just be super fancy (also have to wonder how much that cost was wine pricing, as me and the wife dont drink)

MacadamianNut3 posted...

It's cool Lucille Bluth. But for reference I'm just gonna ask again about this comparison

"I prefer to spend money on experiences than things - some people would not balk at spending 4k on a gaming PC or 40k on a car"

People probably wouldn't balk at a 40k car since the average car price (non-luxury) is actually higher than that, while the average PC price is nowhere near that so this comparison doesn't make sense

The average price of a new small car (Ford Fiesta or VW Polo) in the UK (where TC is from) is around 20,000 ($25,000). Even the most popular SUVs are 25-30k. But you can pick up very good used cars for 10-15k. You can get something that will get you from a to b for 5k or less.

So why spend 40 grand when you can spend 5? Why get a 4k PC when cheap ones exist? Why go Michelin star when McDonalds exists?

Because that's how you like to spend your money.

MacadamianNut3 posted...

It's cool Lucille Bluth. But for reference I'm just gonna ask again about this comparison

"I prefer to spend money on experiences than things - some people would not balk at spending 4k on a gaming PC or 40k on a car"

People probably wouldn't balk at a 40k car since the average car price (non-luxury) is actually higher than that, while the average PC price is nowhere near that so this comparison doesn't make sense

I apologise for not scaling my throwaway analogy in an equitable way.

pinky0926 posted...

I live a pretty frugal life in general tbh. I buy almost exclusively second hand clothing

Second hand clothing? If you don't mind my asking TC, what kind of second hand clothing did you buy and for how much?

Generally it's possible to dress yourself properly even on limited budget. There's hardly a reason for someone frugal to buy second hand clothing unless they wear nothing but branded luxury goods.

texanfan27 posted...

Most me and the wife have ever spent on dinner was 70 I believe (fancy steakhouse, our anniversary. Well worth the price). I cant see myself spending ten times that just be super fancy (also have to wonder how much that cost was wine pricing, as me and the wife dont drink)

Its not just about being fancy. its about the entire experience. If youve seen the show the bear, then maybe youd get an idea of what they might do

i havent been to a Michelin star restaurant, but my wife and I went to a tasting menu restaurant recently opened by former Michelin star chefs, where dinner and drinks was $200+ per person.

they seat 12 people per night, and its a 14 course meal over 3 hours. The kitchen is connected to the dining room and the chef explained how he came up with each one, telling stories and jokes or how he sourced the ingredients. For example one dessert used crab apples that he sourced from one specific crab apple tree after testing a whole bunch

we had to let them know in advance what our food restrictions were, and my wife who was pregnant got a specially prepared bison dish instead of the raw fish the rest of us got.

everything was delicious and beautifully presented

Obviously not an every night thing, but it was well worth it

thisworld posted...

Second hand clothing? If you don't mind my asking TC, what kind of second hand clothing did you buy and for how much?

Generally it's possible to dress yourself properly even on limited budget. There's hardly a reason for someone frugal to buy second hand clothing unless they wear nothing but branded luxury goods.

You can buy quality second hand clothing for similar money to shitty fast fashion. Lasts longer too.

And then there are the people who want vintage styles.

This thread went GameFAQs.

I don't think people realize how much it costs to run a Michelin starred restaurant.

It's incredibly labour intensive, and requires top quality personnel, from head chefs to wine waiters, and they don't come for minimum wage plus tips. Then there are the ingredients which are absolutely the finest, with nothing served that isn't highest quality.

Even at the prices they charge, they barely make a profit. Some even run at a loss. El Bulli was rated the best restaurant in the world, but had to close because it was hemorrhaging money.

ai123 posted...

You can buy quality second hand clothing for similar money to shitty fast fashion. Lasts longer too.

And then there are the people who want vintage styles.

Ah I see. The longevity reason makes sense. Thanks for responding

thisworld posted...

Second hand clothing? If you don't mind my asking TC, what kind of second hand clothing did you buy and for how much?

Generally it's possible to dress yourself properly even on limited budget. There's hardly a reason for someone frugal to buy second hand clothing unless they wear nothing but branded luxury goods.

I would much rather buy thrifted clothing than cheap new clothing for several reasons

• less waste. It's pretty absurd how much clothing waste we generate
• more interesting options, e.g. vintage or more unique pieces you won't get at Zara or Topman etc.
• Often better quality

pinky0926 posted...

This entire thing seems really hard for some to grasp, lol

No, it really isnt. I have pretty extensive experience with fine dining.

Is this just bragging then if youre ignoring the question?

ai123 posted...

I don't think people realize how much it costs to run a Michelin starred restaurant.

It's incredibly labour intensive, and requires top quality personnel, from head chefs to wine waiters, and they don't come for minimum wage plus tips. Then there are the ingredients which are absolutely the finest, with nothing served that isn't highest quality.

Even at the prices they charge, they barely make a profit. Some even run at a loss. El Bulli was rated the best restaurant in the world, but had to close because it was hemorrhaging money.

I'm aware, but sometimes it feels like that cost gets passed on to the customer without the extra quality being passed on to the customer.

In this instance the food wasn't all that and the ambience wasn't incredible or anything. The staff were clearly well trained though. So in this case (to overly simplify it), if so much of the cost was wrapped up in the waitress who knew the history of every vineyard of every bottle and the waiter who was being extra charming, I'm not sure that's really what I was hoping to pay more for on the whole.

ai123 posted...

I don't think people realize how much it costs to run a Michelin starred restaurant.

It's incredibly labour intensive, and requires top quality personnel, from head chefs to wine waiters, and they don't come for minimum wage plus tips. Then there are the ingredients which are absolutely the finest, with nothing served that isn't highest quality.

Even at the prices they charge, they barely make a profit. Some even run at a loss. El Bulli was rated the best restaurant in the world, but had to close because it was hemorrhaging money.

Yeah the chef/owner of the place we went to sounded like he spent literally all his free time sourcing and testing ingredients. Everything was from different farms, farmers markets, specific to that time of year, etc

pinky0926 posted...

There is no logical consistency with how I think about spending money. I'll hum and haw about spending 10 for a new lightbulb for my car interior light and then spend 9 on a stupid cocktail.

i'm the exact same way. it's all about perceived value. i'll use a coupon to save $0.50 at the grocery, or use duct tape to fix something instead of spending $5 on a new part, but then i'll spend $2000 without batting an eye to see one of my favorite bands three nights in a row.

CSCA33 posted...

No, it really isnt. I have pretty extensive experience with fine dining.

Is this just bragging then if youre ignoring the question?

Chill, I just didn't see your question.

If I remember right, the tasting menu was 200 per person with wine. We had 4 cocktails total at maybe 15-20, a couple of coffees, maybe some extra bread. Add in a service charge and the bill was around 550, or $700 near enough.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Not a single one in the whole state? Man I've always wanted to come to the states for bbq, but maybe that's looked down on by michelin or something

pinky0926 posted...

Not a single one in the whole state? Man I've always wanted to come to the states for bbq, but maybe that's looked down on by michelin or something

There are only like 5 cities in the US with Michelin stars outside California

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/812d68cd.jpg

pinky0926 posted...

I'm aware, but sometimes it feels like that cost gets passed on to the customer without the extra quality being passed on to the customer.

In this instance the food wasn't all that and the ambience wasn't incredible or anything. The staff were clearly well trained though. So in this case (to overly simplify it), if so much of the cost was wrapped up in the waitress who knew the history of every vineyard of every bottle and the waiter who was being extra charming, I'm not sure that's really what I was hoping to pay more for on the whole.

Fair enough. A Michelin star is no guarantee a restaurant will be to your taste.

Were the food portions at least adequate enough for you relative to the price?

TheGoldenEel posted...

There are only like 5 cities in the US with Michelin stars outside California

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/812d68cd.jpg

I thought Atlanta got 5 recently.

Prismsblade posted...

Were the food portions at least adequate enough for you relative to the price?

It was fine on that level. My experience with these sorts of places is that you're always left satisfied and not full to the point of being bloated and that's kind of the goal.

Ultimately even if every plate is quite small, well you get like, 8 of them. Most people would feel satisfied by 8 small portions of food I think.

Prismsblade posted...

Were the food portions at least adequate enough for you relative to the price?

Fine dining restaurants have small portions because most meals involve 9 to 20 courses. So the portions are relative to how many courses that are planned.

If you get a 20 course meal, then they portion each course with the goal that you'll be full once you get to the 19th/20th course.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Correct. That's a major rub. Not necessarily French cuisine, but French culinary techniques and priorities.

Im surprised no one has asked (or I missed it), but what did you eat there TC?

DavidZ2844 posted...

Im surprised no one has asked (or I missed it), but what did you eat there TC?

he said foam stuff. don't you like foam stuff?

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

He coulda had like a 12- course tasting menu.
Le Bernardin's tasting menu is $400, 8 courses with wine pairing.

Paragon21XX posted...

If you want experiences, start a family rather than buy absurdly overpriced and overrated food that ends up as the same shit out the other end.

Is starting a family the only experience one can have/enjoy lmao? This is such a bizarre comparison

viewmaster_pi posted...

he said foam stuff. don't you like foam stuff?

I dont know. What is that?

DavidZ2844 posted...

I dont know. What is that?

i don't know

ai123 posted...

Eh. Who doesn't spend money on stuff that other people think is stupid?

Maybe he doesn't have a collection of big tits anime figures?

The thing is, he can always resell those and get some money back, or make more if they're rare. With expensive dinner, you just shit it down the drain.

Sheiky-Baby posted...

With expensive dinner, you just shit it down the drain.

Same could be said about any experience -- even parenting.

lydiaquayle posted...

Same could be said about any experience -- even parenting.

I think if you are shitting it down the drain then that's one way to NOT become a parent.

Heineken14 posted...

I think if you are shitting it down the drain then that's one way to NOT become a parent.

I'm sure there are many parents who believe that their experiences with children is metaphorically just shitting money down the drain.