re: Who else here can’t stand going out to dinner anymore?

$300 seems high. I only ever spend that much when I go to a place that would be Michelin starred. I had a two Michelin star in Barcelona for less than that.
The most I ever paid for 2 was $500 with tip at Victoria and Alberts. I still think it was the best meal of my life, so it's worth it.
Locally the only time I went around $300 for two was at August.
I'm sure if I go to the new Emerils I'll hit that.
To me $100 is any right for a good place with one drink each.

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$300 seems high

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Not paying someone that much money to make food for me.

I can’t remember the last time I felt the meal was worth the price or the traffic.

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Restaurants are one of the biggest scams out there.

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These days the Michelin places are totally out of control unless you're going to a real non-tourist city with a Michelin place.

I usually look for the Michelin chef's 2nd or 3rd restaurant. More casual setting, can choose dishes, way less expensive, still great food.

With all of these self proclaimed chefs making better food than restaurants, I expect to see you all joining us in the nightly WFDT threads and monthly cooking competitions.

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Look, I’ll preface this conversation by saying I love my SO and want to treat her well and usually do it because it’s something she enjoys and because she is one of those “Foodies” that wants to go to the new restaurants or hotspots in town. Personally I just can’t help but get irked internally every time after we go to one of these places and the dinner is over and see the bill for $250-$300 for 2 people.
To me it’s not just about the money necessarily, but how the money is being spent.
I mean you almost can’t go anywhere these days above a half decent place if you order ann app(1) a 2-3 drinks(total), dinner(2) and a desert(1) for less than the above mentioned.
I guess it’s because I love to cook and most of the places she picks the food in my opinion WAY overrated, the portions are usually small and that I’m hungry within hours of leaving which to me makes it even more unsatisfying.
Just curious how everyone else feels about this situation or similar.

We also do it often at that price point but maybe a couple times a month but personally I still would rather find a low key less known place that serves great quality food in sizable portions and that I’m happy with for $100-$150(after tip) which still isn’t cheap.if you do it too often.

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We eat out if it's something I can't/don't feel like making myself like brick oven pizza, sushi, etc.

By and large though, if I can make it myself, I do.

One of our favorites is ribeyes with stuffed peppers and wine. I can get all of that for maybe $65 at the store and it's better than what we get out.

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mexican

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I feel like Mexican is one of the few left that you can eat really good for a fair price. Wife and I like a spot in town that we can get a pitcher of margaritas and fajitas for 2 for like $45. Honestly that's not that bad imo.

My dad is somewhat wealthy, but he's a bad tipper. He always pays when we go out to eat, but I make sure to have some cash on me so I can slip a little extra on the table as we are leaving

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That's the funny thing about him.... he will have no issue paying for apps, entrees desserts...tripe digit tab he doesnt flinch.... he will throw a $10 for the tip and his wife will scold him and he goes off the rails...we've learned to carry and extra $20-30 when eating with him lol

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It truly is bizarre the things some of these older folks put their foot down over.