I've only done it a couple of times locally and have been impressed. But I could easily see how you could be mislead. Which can cost you a chunk of coin given the prices and also ruin what should be a special dinner. My only out of town one was in Brugge where they didn't do food and wine pairings - they did beer and food pairings. They took it just as seriously as places do with wine, and the beer fit the food to a T. Even the one going with dessert. ^