^

I love how he rails against the proliferation of "T.G.I. McFunsters"

I think a lot of the problem is that so much of it (high end dining) just isn't that good! It really annoys me to pay serious money for something that isn't excellent. We recently had an experience where we walked out of a restaurant after having spent almost $200 for dinner for 2 (with 1 drink) and looked at each other and said "wow that just wasn't a great meal"...
But we have had some great meals in smaller less 'hyped' places so we just look a little further off the beaten path.

With the number of high end restaurants doing "luxury" adaptation of classic, cheap ethnic fare, I think I sometimes forget how good to real deal is.

I agree with others that a lot of fine dining just isn't really that good, esp. given the price you are paying. The same could also be said about wine. I am glad to hear there are others with the same thoughts. I know one day I will crave a meal at a Alain Duccase restaurant or look back on esquisite japanese sushi meals, but these days give me a Pink' hotdog or an In n' Out burger and I am darn happy.

I would tend to agree with the OP to a certain extent. As someone who is constantly on the road I have grown somewhat tired of nice restaurants and often prefer something quick and easy. I always enjoy going to Del Frisco's but even Morton's is starting to bore me, and just tonight passed it up for a killer Italian sandwich from some hole in the wall near my hotel. I think the reason is excess, as I've been to three different Del Frisco's and four different Morton's in the past month, but honestly kebabs from a street vendor are sounding great for tomorrow

Funny that you should mention Morton's because that is exactly where we were.... the one in KC. The steaks were cooked properly but were terribly salty, tomato salad with the consistancy of rubber and tepid potato side dish... very disappointing.

I find that I like to mix things up between fine dining, holes-in-the-wall and everything in between. I also never take clients to my favorite hometown places so that I preserve that for my own time. I do enjoy a fine meal, but also enjoy a good grilled chicken and arugula salad sometimes too. Give me a diner burger anytime. Moderation and balance.

Here's a new challenge for you then - try to find good food that is good for you. It really is quite difficult but it may lead you to some interesting places that aren't "top rated" since really healthy food isn't "in" for many people.

I think with food, the key is variety. After a while of cheap eats, they get boring too. I travel a lot, but I'm always on a budget. I try to have one fancy meal each trip, and eat quick and simple the rest of the time. I often enjoy the quick sandwich from a bakers, or a little soup from a fast food deli, but if you space out your fancy meals, then they can be nice too.

I agree that often restaurants are over-hyped. I tend to go by personal recommendations rather than reviews. If that takes me to a small, family owned place that does killer pasta, then great. If it takes me to a 'frequented by the stars' type place, and my wallet can handle it that week, then that's great too.

Chez Panisse does some lovely light dishes...

An update, I didn't get to Alinea until just recently and after a meh experience at Next, I wasn't too anxious to drop some coin on fine dining. Let's just say my experience at Alinea has made me appreciate fine dining again, simply amazing.

This said, I still was in cheap food heaven when in Puerto Rico this past week, lots of mofongo.

I don't eat at nearly enough fine dining restaurants to have this problem. However that said I do almost always enjoy a highly recommended street vendor more than a $50/plate place so I would agree.

My favourite meal from my last visit to NY was the the famous Halal cart in Midtown.

http://53rdand6th.com/

Fine Dining I can take it or leave it. What bugs me the most is seeing people fly several thousand miles away only to go eat at a place they have locally and furthermore is a chain restaurant.

On a recently flight to Atlanta, I overheard 2 guys scheming to meet up at Buffalo Wild Wings.

With so many great local non chain restaurants out there, why would you fly that far only to eat what you can at home? Chains that are not local are an exception. IE: In N Out is not anywhere close to where I live so I'll make that exception.

Part of traveling for me is trying something new and different. Example: I tried shark while in the Bahamas. I'm not going to find that at home.

For many travelers, particularly those who are not frequent fliers, food is just something to satisfy their hunger and chains are convenient and familiar. Maybe these 2 just wanted to watch sports, eat wings and have a beer.

You just described about every local sports bar around.

I honestly enjoy eating at dive joints...snack bars...greasy spoons, etc. just as much as I enjoy fine dining. I just did a tally on my 2012 hotel stays and I have about 180 nights....some have more but that is a record for me. Each and every night I eat out on the road - most of it being fine dining or hotel equivalent - and it all runs together...asiago-infused-fusion crap.

Give me hearty stuff, BBQ, locally-produced from a place that is not traded on the NASDAQ with good food anyday when I am at home and when I can help it.

I am in Molokai right now through EOY and I eat at a snack bar most days with a dog in the doorway, plastic chairs that almost fall over when you even look at them, and no walls or windows with the wind blowing through...it is the best food I have eaten since the summertime.

To each his own, but I would rather eat with the masses in local places anyday.