Originally Posted by
JumboJ
Actually I think I'm trending the other way. The whole pomp and process of "fine dining" seems progressively more silly to me as over and over again I find that my palate is much more stimulated by "down at the heels" ethnic food than most haute cuisine. Not that I won't take the lady out for the high end experience from time to time, but truth be told that experience is less about the food and more about the intangibles.. as my mouth alone would generally be more stimulated by some Indian or Thai, both of which are seldom particularly expensive or fancy. Also of these are cuisines that I'd not be able to prepare reasonably myself. I am however, perfectly adept at searing a scallop or grilling a steak. Generally I like very, very spicy food. I don't find much haute cuisine fitting this description.
Pretty much this. I don't spend too much on food when I'm dining (bachelor life), but my job sees me eat at some of the finer restaurants both domestically and internationally. I'm rarely impressed by fine dining, especially all the pomp and circumstance. I would rather eat some defining ethnic food that can usually be found at a reasonable price, though moving to San Diego and then Orange County makes it hard to find legitimate hole-in-the-wall ethnic food since it's so expensive to live here.
If I may digress, an episode of Top Chef completely represents who I am not. There was an episode where the competitors grouped up and made food for some soldiers. Since it was a picnic, a group decided to make a potato salad. I'm sure it was fantastic! Padma scolded that team, saying that the dish was "cliché." IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE SHOW, THAT WAS THE ONLY POTATO SALAD. PICNIC FOOD AT A PICNIC, OH MY. So, if someone offers her the FOTM, she'll eat it. She's the type to praise 7 different scallop dishes in a row because that obviously wouldn't be cliché. If it's peasant food, she'll reject it-- unless peasant food is en vogue, of course.
She's a miserable human being and I hope she cries herself to sleep at night.
Anyway, do I love some lobster bisque, foie gras, and a filet? Sure. Do I also love burritos? Cheeseburgers? You bet. Do I find it necessary to spend $100 on a meal to be satisfied? Of course not. I'd rather go find a sloppy burrito, explore some Afghani food, or experience something where the spice is more important than price. Of course, I'm the type that normally drinks $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon, but also enjoys a $20 bottle of Hitachino Nest White Ale. I would rather live alone than date someone who judges food by its price or the restaurant at which its served.