Have you ever 'had it all' in a restaurant?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 26, 2008 | 1:21 pm

#31

grumbler

Join Date: Feb 2003

Programs: AC SE 2MM, too many others

Posts: 1,419

Not sure I really care about the view when I am focusing on really good eating.

I would suggest:

Arzak or Martin Berasategui, San Sebastian
Tawaraya, Kyoto
Helene Darroze, Paris

Sep 26, 2008 | 1:48 pm

#32

milepig

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2004

Location: ORD

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 16,934

Quote:

Originally Posted by violist

In the USA, TFL was of course remarkable; the only
flaw was the nearly $500pp tab (we had some nice wines).

My French Laundry experience was also remarkable, and the tab a bit less than $500, but not by much. I don't find that a "flaw" as such since we both left feeling like we had gotten good value for the money. Did we eat $500 worth of food - of course not - but the entire experience was perfect, professional without being stuffy, their main goal seemed to be to figure out where each customer's head was at and to adjust their service to reflect that. We were in the middle of a very relaxing wine weekend and our service was equally relaxed. An ajoining table was pretty clearly occupied by a group where the host was "showing off", and their service was much more formal and restrained.

We got a great night's entertainment for what actually wasn't that much more than a show combined with a much more ordinary meal.

Sep 27, 2008 | 6:59 pm

#33

BiziBB

Original Poster

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: Sydney - Australia

Programs: BD, QF, QR/EY/GF & HH Gold/SPG, Hertz#1G

Posts: 11,079

Quote:

Originally Posted by milepig

My French Laundry experience was also remarkable, and the tab a bit less than $500, but not by much...

We got a great night's entertainment for what actually wasn't that much more than a show combined with a much more ordinary meal.

Would such a meal customarily approach $700 (+ ?) after gratuities?
(For budgeting purposes...

)

Sep 27, 2008 | 9:24 pm

#34

Fraser

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: New York, NY

Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)

Posts: 18,543

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiziBB

I have never known such a combination would happen, but some people believe it has been achieved:

Acclaim in respected awards
Breathtaking location / view
Flawless service
Excellent and extensive wine list
Challenging, inventive, creative food that tastes amazing
Is good value

?

Sydney is lucky to have some restaurants that have potential to do it all.
I'd like to hear of your own finds around the world, either your local city or memorable places from your travels.
Hopefully you can add a link.

Do you know of restaurants that tick all of the criteria? Failing that, ones which tick (at least) the amazing food and value 'boxes'?

Of those criteria listed I'd say Aria (which does happen to be in Sydney) is about as good as I've had...well apart from #6, we indulged a bit on the wine front.

Also the River Cafe in Brooklyn...

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEngineer

If you are dining with someone who has it all you probably want to order antibiotics

Sep 29, 2008 | 8:26 am

#35

milepig

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2004

Location: ORD

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 16,934

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiziBB

Would such a meal customarily approach $700 (+ ?) after gratuities?
(For budgeting purposes...

)

Varies widely, depending on the wine(s) you choose.

From the FL webside, the current price of the tasting menus is $240, but it is clear that this price includes gratuities.

The wine list has a very nice variety of wines in all price ranges. When it was just the two of us the staff helped us pick a selection of wines by the glass, and then for a couple of the courses split a single glass between us - the courses are many and I was driving! I'd be surprised if the wines added another $150 - so you're up to $630. But, you could also spend much more on the wine.

Sep 30, 2008 | 12:07 am

#36

BiziBB

Original Poster

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: Sydney - Australia

Programs: BD, QF, QR/EY/GF & HH Gold/SPG, Hertz#1G

Posts: 11,079

Quote:

Originally Posted by milepig

Varies widely, depending on the wine(s) you choose.

From the FL webside, the current price of the tasting menus is $240, but it is clear that this price includes gratuities.
...I'd be surprised if the wines added another $150 - so you're up to $630. But, you could also spend much more on the wine.

That's a relief! I am never 100% sure if tip inflation, sneaky tip sharing practices/charges or general underpaying of staff means that the cost of tipping in a US restaurant has risen.

I'd have guessed for such an acclaimed restaurant, that a 30% tip would be a benchmark (baseline?) for a great meal, so I'd have expected to pay $150 on top of the restaurant prices.

I was unaware that restaurants (like FL) did estimates like this in their promotions.