The most expensive dinner I attended was at Annabelle's in London (1993). I didn't have to pay (couldn't have afforded it anyway). There were 15-20 of us, and it was probably $12,000 or more.

I ordered a vodka tonic. I received a bottle of Russian Vodka at the table. I don't think there was a misunderstanding English to English.

After dinner, a few of us had cigars - a selection of Cubans was brought to the table.

We followed that up with a trip to a London casino. I further demonstrated my upper class ignorance by asking where the coat check was. "You need to keep your coat on, sir."

I guess dinners like this have their place in society, but it shocks the conscience. Of course, if you have $1B and spend $12k that is the same as having $100k and spending $1.20 or less than $1/person, right?

Sam