Post by: Fly320s on October 24, 2007, 02:03:37 AM
My wife and I are DINKs (dual-income, no kids). Over the last year or two we have really started to become food snobs. We've noticed that most restaurants have absolutly nothing of interest to us on their menu, certainly not any of the chains. We still eat pizza and burgers and such, but not from any fast-food chains; we cook those ourselves or find a good local pizza place.
Now when we go out to eat, we want fresh, healthy food that tastes great. That normally means slightly expensive to expensive dining. Fresh, healthy, and tasty do not describe 99% of the restaurant options in the US.
Years ago, I bought my first $100 dinner for two. I was shocked and sickened that I could spend that much for just dinner. Now, $100 for dinner for two is almost, but not quite, normal to us when we want a "nice" dinner.
Using my normal dinner-out as an example:
1 appetizer (shared)
1 green salad (also shared unless it comes with the meal)
1 main course each
1 glass of wine each
1 dessert (shared)
And many times my wife and I share an entree simply because restaurant portions are too large for us. Even so, that type of dinner will cost us $70 to $90 before tip.
So, what's your idea of a nice dinner with your spouse? Not a special-occassion dinner, just a "nice" dinner.
Post by: mtnbkr on October 24, 2007, 02:14:30 AM
Depending on the restaurant, we may or may not get the appetizer and dessert. If there's any booze on the tab, it'll be mine.
It's a shame really. There are a lot of interesting restaurant options in Northern Virginia, but she's perfectly content with places like Olive Garden and Red Lobster.
Chris
Post by: Jamisjockey on October 24, 2007, 02:38:38 AM
I like good food, and have found that often times you get it from places that aren't pretentious, but aren't chains. Although I had a killer salad at Ruby Tuesday the other day. Oh, and dinner for 6 with a few beverages was $106. I tried to pick it up and my buddy switched our cards at the last minute, taking advantage of my relaxed state.
Post by: Len Budney on October 24, 2007, 02:40:05 AM
We once spent $160, but that was a special occasion: my company sent me out of town for six weeks straight, and then told me to "take the wife out to dinner, on us!" We went to the Grand Concourse and ordered off the a la carte menu. I had lobster and fillet mignon, and tried Remy Martin for the first time in my life. Didn't like it.
--Len.
Post by: K Frame on October 24, 2007, 03:32:59 AM
We were celebrating, what I can't remember, and decided to splurge.
Being on my own now I tend not to spend a lot on a restaurant.
Post by: HankB on October 24, 2007, 03:48:24 AM
If you're not familiar with the Austex area, the last three probably don't mean anything to you . . . but they're the places where its easy to drop over $100 on dinner for two . . . and IMHO you're paying for "atmosphere," NOT the food!
(What I really miss here in the Austex area are the varied menus of the independent restaurants I had growing up in Chicago . . . the only independents here seem to be BBQ, Mexican or Oriental. And no good bakeries at all. )
Post by: LadySmith on October 24, 2007, 04:08:47 AM
Yes, I'm weird like that.
Post by: MillCreek on October 24, 2007, 04:29:02 AM
On the other hand, we also have no problem in going to a small local Thai restaurant and paying $ 30 for dinner for the two of us. It all depends on our mood, and we simply cannot eat rich restaurant food all the time. As we have gotten into middle age, we don't eat as much as we used to, so we usually get an entree and either an appetizer or dessert but not both. A glass of wine each, or a glass of wine for her and a beer for me, and we are set. We probably go out to eat 3-4 times a month. We are both excellent cooks, so when we go out to eat, we generally look for things that we don't make at home or are too much trouble to make for just two.
Post by: Manedwolf on October 24, 2007, 04:44:10 AM
It's a shame really. There are a lot of interesting restaurant options in Northern Virginia, but she's perfectly content with places like Olive Garden and Red Lobster.
Tell her the truth about those places. Most of Olive Garden's food is prepack, made in a central commissary somewhere in the midwest on a factory floor, sent frozen in portions and plastic pillows to the retail locations and reconstituted for use. Most elements of the meal are microwaved, while a few bits are fresh-made to give the appearance of a "fresh meal". There's no chef in the kitchen making your meal from raw ingredients. Your meal there is assembled from prepack, not cooked. And Red Lobster uses MSG in nearly everything. And, in any of those chains, food is engineered for best "mouthfeel" and lowest cost in lab kitchens, thus, it's likely to have such lovely home-cooking ingredients as Dow METHOCEL cellulose gum and other things you won't find in a real Italian or seafood restaurant's kitchen. I prefer my lasagna laid in a pan layer by layer, not extruded.
Eating at Olive Garden is no different than eating at McDonalds, and most of their food has as much salt in it...it's just that it's served on a plate, not in cardboard.
Post by: Jamisjockey on October 24, 2007, 04:58:14 AM
http://www.dandydinnerboat.com/
My understanding is there are some nicer ones based closer into DC. Total cost was about $230 after tip and drinks. The couple seated next to us went into very hushed tones when the bill was delivered...I think it was a surprise...
Post by: charby on October 24, 2007, 04:59:08 AM
I can have my steak how I want it, my drinks how I want it and I don't have some antsy high school aged waiter/waitress hassling me.
I just wish I could get fresh seafood.
-C
Post by: Manedwolf on October 24, 2007, 05:00:39 AM
I had wild boar, and a white chocolate creme brulee. Quite nice.
Otherwise, if I'm out with a girl, I have no problem paying at least $25 per on a meal, which can get one a rather nice meal at some local upscale seafood places. My rule is pretty much "I'm paying, she can have whatever she wants, the only budget is what I order for my meal."
Post by: Jamisjockey on October 24, 2007, 05:07:00 AM
As for getting spendy, it's more fun when work is paying for it. Best meal I didn't have to see the check for was a recent work-sponsored thing at a local very nice, small place called Michael Timothy's Bistro.
I had wild boar, and a white chocolate creme brulee. Quite nice.
Otherwise, if I'm out with a girl, I have no problem paying at least $25 per on a meal, which can get one a rather nice meal at some local upscale seafood places. My rule is pretty much "I'm paying, she can have whatever she wants, the only budget is what I order for my meal."
You mean like when the .gov sent me to Oklahoma city for a month for Radar school? We went to bars, strip clubs and Hooters on the taxpayer dime. I had wild boar, and a white chocolate creme brulee. Quite nice.
Otherwise, if I'm out with a girl, I have no problem paying at least $25 per on a meal, which can get one a rather nice meal at some local upscale seafood places. My rule is pretty much "I'm paying, she can have whatever she wants, the only budget is what I order for my meal."
They gave a food allowance, and by being conservative during the rest of the week we had plenty left to blow on the weekend.
Post by: Sindawe on October 24, 2007, 05:12:45 AM
Quote
"I'm paying, she can have whatever she wants, the only budget is what I order for my meal."
Same here. I guess its a good thing my tastes run more toward Bangers & Mash than Foie Gras & Truffles.
Post by: ilbob on October 24, 2007, 06:15:17 AM
McDonalds value meal
double cheeseburger
fries
coke
Post by: mtnbkr on October 24, 2007, 06:28:01 AM
Tell her the truth about those places. Most of Olive Garden's food is prepack, made in a central commissary somewhere in the midwest on a factory floor, sent frozen in portions and plastic pillows to the retail locations and reconstituted for use. Most elements of the meal are microwaved, while a few bits are fresh-made to give the appearance of a "fresh meal". There's no chef in the kitchen making your meal from raw ingredients. Your meal there is assembled from prepack, not cooked. And Red Lobster uses MSG in nearly everything. And, in any of those chains, food is engineered for best "mouthfeel" and lowest cost in lab kitchens, thus, it's likely to have such lovely home-cooking ingredients as Dow METHOCEL cellulose gum and other things you won't find in a real Italian or seafood restaurant's kitchen. I prefer my lasagna laid in a pan layer by layer, not extruded.
Eating at Olive Garden is no different than eating at McDonalds, and most of their food has as much salt in it...it's just that it's served on a plate, not in cardboard.
Eating at Olive Garden is no different than eating at McDonalds, and most of their food has as much salt in it...it's just that it's served on a plate, not in cardboard.
She doesn't care.
Chris
Post by: K Frame on October 24, 2007, 06:36:35 AM
Anyone who goes into a major chain restaurant and believes that there's a mad Italian, German, French, etc., chef whipping up new creations every evening is daft.
Restaurants such as Olive Garden strive for one thing above all else -- consistency.
They want you to be able to go into an Olive Garden in San Antonio and get a meal that tastes the same as one in the OG in Bangor, Maine.
Post by: Paddy on October 24, 2007, 06:45:43 AM
And what about The Culinary Institute of Tuscany?
Post by: AJ Dual on October 24, 2007, 07:29:41 AM
A splurge night would be the same, except I'd get sake, maybe an Asahi, Kirin, or Sapporo while waiting to be seated, Mrs. Dual would get a mixed drink or two like a Mai Thai etc., and I'd get a sushi appetizer and a hibachi dinner, that runs us about $70.
And the beauty of sushi and hibachi is you KNOW everything was made from scratch and is fresh, because you can watch it being made.
Post by: HankB on October 24, 2007, 07:47:13 AM
. . . And the beauty of sushi . . . you can watch it being made.
Why do I want to watch sushi being made? It's cheaper & faster to just stop by the local Beer, Bait, and Ammo shop and have Cletus fill up the old minnow bucket before I go fishing . . . I never could see the attraction of that fancy Japanese designer bait.
Post by: K Frame on October 24, 2007, 08:01:41 AM
What about it?
Does that somehow make the food taste better?
"Culinary Institute of Tuscany."
I suspect that the "chefs" that go there aren't really chefs, they're quality control specialists.
Post by: AJ Dual on October 24, 2007, 08:52:07 AM
. . . And the beauty of sushi . . . you can watch it being made.
Why do I want to watch sushi being made? It's cheaper & faster to just stop by the local Beer, Bait, and Ammo shop and have Cletus fill up the old minnow bucket before I go fishing . . . I never could see the attraction of that fancy Japanese designer bait. Well, I won't rise to your bait either. Other than to say it's perfectly okay in this enlightened age to be afraid to eat what millions of little Japanese schoolgirls do for lunch. To each his own.And it's okay for a man to cry too...
Post by: French G. on October 24, 2007, 09:56:05 AM
Another one is kind of trendy but good, Jazz'd tapas bar in Savannah, GA. A couple can actually get out of there for less than $100 with 4 entrees, two salads, two desserts and drinks. Plenty of food too.
Post by: 280plus on October 24, 2007, 09:58:55 AM
Quote
"B-b-but what about the Italian music, the checkered tablecloths, the 'when you're here, you're family'?"
What about it?
Does that somehow make the food taste better?
All I know is the accordian player ticks off the wife when he comes right up to your table and blasts you with the thing. What about it?
Does that somehow make the food taste better?
$50-$60 is about where I like to end up. I hate chains but go to them occasionally to keep the peace.
Post by: wooderson on October 24, 2007, 10:15:03 AM
I like a lot of cheap delis and local mom'n'pop joints, and I find that some of the the big-ticket places serve food worth eating (eager to hit Masa, the sushi place in NY, when I'm there - $125/dinner before wine, on the cheap end) - but the middle-of-the-road places, no thank you. I'd rather cook for myself.
Only exceptions to the chain disavowal are the Pappas restaurants, which are fairly expensive/high-class as chains go. I waited/bartended at Pappadeaux for a couple of years and saw how the kitchen worked - clean, reasonably fresh, the only fried seafood I've eaten that didn't taste like grease.
Post by: K Frame on October 24, 2007, 10:28:22 AM
Accordian player?
Where the hell are you eating?
Big Fat Al's All You Can Eat Perogie and Kielbasa Smorgasboard?
I can see the advertisement now...
"So come down to Big Fat Al's for all the Perogie and Kielbasa you can eat! Tuesday Is Polka 'till You Puke Night! And remember, if our accordian player doesn't make your ears ring, your meal's on me!"
Christ, I've been to more than one wedding like that in Pennsylvania...
Post by: The Viking on October 24, 2007, 10:29:40 AM
Post by: 280plus on October 24, 2007, 10:35:30 AM
It's either him or if he's not playing they got all the old Italian tunes with the usual Sinatra, Dean martin etc ad nauseum...
Honestly, these days, I don't know of a place around here that I like to eat. The Italian joint was the only good place around until the old guy died. Now there's nothing. Filomena's in Manchester, CT DOES make the best pizza around, but that's pizza.
Post by: Manedwolf on October 24, 2007, 10:48:26 AM
No, no Mike, picture red checkered table cloths and bread sticks. It was a great Italian place until the old man died, then the kid took over for a while and then sold to some middle easterners. Now it's not so good, but they always had an accordian player that wandered from table to table. The original one was really good, that dude could play. The new one, OK, but not as good. Still, I made the mistake of being polite and smiling and nodding as he walked by us and next thing you know, we can't get rid of him. And the damn thing is LOUD when it's right in your ear. Meanwhile I can see the wifey is starting to boil.
It's either him or if he's not playing they got all the old Italian tunes with the usual Sinatra, Dean martin etc ad nauseum...
Honestly, these days, I don't know of a place around here that I like to eat. The Italian joint was the only good place around until the old guy died. Now there's nothing. Filomena's in Manchester, CT DOES make the best pizza around, but that's pizza.
It's either him or if he's not playing they got all the old Italian tunes with the usual Sinatra, Dean martin etc ad nauseum...
Honestly, these days, I don't know of a place around here that I like to eat. The Italian joint was the only good place around until the old guy died. Now there's nothing. Filomena's in Manchester, CT DOES make the best pizza around, but that's pizza.
Old-style "red sauce"* restaurants are a dying breed. About the only type of widespread mom-and-pop left is Chinese-American places, since the high-profile chain attempts at a theme restaurant in that (P.F. Chang's) have performed miserably.
* place that has spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, those wierd red plastic water glasses, and rolls covered in garlic, not "Northern Italian Japanese Brazilian Fusion Cusine with a Mesquite Woodfired Oven and Open Kitchen"
Post by: HankB on October 24, 2007, 11:04:24 AM
. . . eat what millions of little Japanese schoolgirls do for lunch. To each his own.
You get 
I'm not even going to ask if your vehicle has a live well . . .
Post by: 280plus on October 24, 2007, 11:05:24 AM
Post by: K Frame on October 24, 2007, 11:11:27 AM
I think it's still family owned. Decent, but not wonderously fantabulous.
They did have rather spectacular gnocchi, though.
Most places around here when you order gnocchi the waitress just looks at you as if you're a 3-headed alien...
Sigh.
Post by: 280plus on October 24, 2007, 11:14:25 AM
Damn, now I want some! I wonder if the accordian player is on tonight.
Post by: Manedwolf on October 24, 2007, 11:15:10 AM
They're still the old style, they're still the sort where a minor family argument about food preparation in the kitchen sounds like a serious domestic disturbance, and where there might be a "courtyard" of tables between old brick buildings with some hanging strings of lightbulbs, and an empty chianti bottle is still the table decor.
And the food is not only fantastic, but enough to break the table when they set aircraft-carrier-sized plates down. Gnochi and things like osso buco are to be found just about anywhere.
Post by: 280plus on October 24, 2007, 11:26:31 AM
Damn, now I want to go to Boston and eat gnoccis. I better quit this thread now!
Post by: charby on October 24, 2007, 11:27:20 AM
We have a family Italian restaurant here in Fairfax called Esposito's.
I think it's still family owned. Decent, but not wonderously fantabulous.
They did have rather spectacular gnocchi, though.
Most places around here when you order gnocchi the waitress just looks at you as if you're a 3-headed alien...
Sigh.
I think it's still family owned. Decent, but not wonderously fantabulous.
They did have rather spectacular gnocchi, though.
Most places around here when you order gnocchi the waitress just looks at you as if you're a 3-headed alien...
Sigh.
ah gnocchi tasty stuff if it is done right
so how is pronounced ga-knocky or ga-knew-chee?
Post by: Manedwolf on October 24, 2007, 11:29:52 AM
Post by: 280plus on October 24, 2007, 11:30:17 AM
Post by: 280plus on October 24, 2007, 11:31:41 AM
"The Brothers Bulger" is a good book on the subject.
I'll bet there's a helluva party going on in Boston tonight!
Post by: Manedwolf on October 24, 2007, 11:36:51 AM
Last I heard the Irish were in charge up there. But don't quote me. Please.
"The Brothers Bulger" is a good book on the subject.
I'll bet there's a helluva party going on in Boston tonight!
"The Brothers Bulger" is a good book on the subject.
I'll bet there's a helluva party going on in Boston tonight!
Oh, there's those neighborhoods, too. I think the gangstas know to leave them alone as well. A wannabe thug with a fo-tay vs. someone who might have relatives who were fighters during the "troubles" and who know urban combat as well as any soldier...I wonder who'd come out on top, there.
Boston has its peaceful enclaves, but it's due to the residents in those areas and what they're willing to do to keep it that way, not to the socialist government that's soft on crime. Some other areas are total freefire zones you just don't go into, and the public areas like Boston Commons are not safe at all after dark...you will be mugged. Public transit is also extremely unsafe, there's been shootings on the T and executions on MBTA buses.
As to old-style gangsters there, yes, a Boston mob guy is one of the ones who gave that famous quote of "He can't be dead, he owes me fourteen thousand bucks!"
Post by: 280plus on October 24, 2007, 12:58:56 PM
No problems at all. Even bought a Black Muslim paper from one of the guys at the intersections becasue it was right there and I was curious as to what they were saying. The guy thanked me and we shared a smile. The Muslims were calling for peace in their paper that day. I felt enormously relieved. (sorry about the thread drift, fly)
Post by: Fly320s on October 24, 2007, 01:02:48 PM
Only exceptions to the chain disavowal are the Pappas restaurants, which are fairly expensive/high-class as chains go.
Ah, yes... Pappasitos, Papa's, Papa Brothers, Pappadeux. 'Sitos is my favorite; great salsa.
-----
As for the North End in Boston... more please. I love that area. I was down there today trying to get to it after getting stuck in downtown. I hate Boston streets. I think a bunch of drunk monkeys designed them.
Post by: tokugawa on October 24, 2007, 01:23:43 PM
Post by: 280plus on October 24, 2007, 03:22:01 PM
Quote
I think a bunch of drunk monkeys designed them.
I think you're right! I used to drive there a lot, haven't been in years now. I haven't experienced driving in post big dig Boston at all yet. I'm not so sure I want to.
Post by: Manedwolf on October 24, 2007, 04:38:40 PM
Quote
I think a bunch of drunk monkeys designed them.
I think you're right! I used to drive there a lot, haven't been in years now. I haven't experienced driving in post big dig Boston at all yet. I'm not so sure I want to.
I believe they were originally cow paths that had buildings built along them. I can't think of any other explanation.
And it's gotten worse. Appropriate music for driving downtown there is either the Indiana Jones theme, or the taxi-chase music from The Fifth Element.
Post by: yesitsloaded on October 24, 2007, 06:20:21 PM
Post by: Scout26 on October 24, 2007, 07:42:45 PM
Average tab:
With the Yard Apes ~ $10-$15 per person. The older girls are now ordering from the adult menu, but the two youngest still mostly split a kiddie meal with reinforcements from the parents plates when needed. Normally includes one adult beverage for the parents of each family.
Sans Rugrats: $20+ per person. The best was one was a Brazilian Churrascaria Restaurant in Lombard with like 25+ different kinds of meat cooked on sticks. I "mooed" for the next week. They lost money on me, which might be why they've since closed up. (insert Mr. Creosote smilie here)
I also like the Greek owned places for (cheap, tasty and completely unhealthy) breakfasts anytime as opposed to any of the chains (IHOP, Waffle house etc.).
A few years back our largest vendor took took the mangement team to Morton's in Oakbrook. We all ordered from the right side of the menu and killed the wine list. It always tastes better on someone elses dime......
Then once a month during the Orchestra season, Mrs. Scout and I attend the Elgin Symphony, we'll easily drop close to a C-note on dinner prior to the performance. (Season tickets to the ESO is our combined Anniversary, Birthday and X-mas/Hannukah gift to each other.)
Post by: Sylvilagus Aquaticus on October 24, 2007, 08:12:18 PM
I've ponied up $150 at the Mansion and the Landmark including wine and felt like it was a deal. Took my old crew and their wives to dinner at the Landmark for Christmas a few years ago; the 6 of us, with drinks, ran up $900. An excellent evening.
I spent $100 on chateaubriand in the late 70's for myself and a date. Yes, it was worth it in more ways than one.
As a footnote, I'm a cheap bastage. I'll eat peanut butter sandwiches at home, but tonight we fixed grilled salmon and saffron rice. If I'm suitably motivated, I'll take ramen to work and heat water in my electric kettle instead of getting a Whataburger for lunch. 11 cents vs. 5 bucks.
Regards,
Rabbit.
Post by: Scout26 on October 24, 2007, 09:32:42 PM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tIipASEM1zU
Post by: Soybomb on October 24, 2007, 10:13:18 PM
Quote
so how is pronounced ga-knocky or ga-knew-chee?
nyo-keyWell the best nice dinner is the one I make myself and those are actually pretty affordable. I've spent over $200 for dinner for two on several occasions. Its not something to do every day but if you get the opportunity, the extra cash, and the right dinner companion its quite nice.
Post by: Scout26 on October 26, 2007, 01:01:35 PM
Looks like it's time to go put another "All the grilled meat you can eat" restaurant out of business........
Post by: Nick1911 on October 26, 2007, 01:20:18 PM
A nice dinner for my fiancee and I runs $30-40. A "normal" dinner out runs about $13 for two.
Money is expensive
Post by: never_retreat on October 26, 2007, 06:46:36 PM
It's going to suck
Post by: Manedwolf on October 26, 2007, 07:24:52 PM
Checkin' the mail today and there's one of those "Coupon Packs". And lo and behold but what's in there but a BUY ONE DINNER, GET ONE DINNER FREE from Brazzazz Brazilian restaurant on Dearborn in Chicago.
Looks like it's time to go put another "All the grilled meat you can eat" restaurant out of business........
Looks like it's time to go put another "All the grilled meat you can eat" restaurant out of business........
Someone I know refers to Brazilian steakhouses as a "meat faucet"...because they keep coming to your table with endless skewers of meat and steak until you tell them to stop.
Post by: Scout26 on October 26, 2007, 07:37:56 PM
Quote
Pizza just doesn't exist outside inside NJ/metro NY.
Fixed it for ya...
Come to Chicago......and learn that ketchup smeared on a Ritz craker with a slice of velveeta on top is NOT pizza.
Post by: Manedwolf on October 26, 2007, 07:53:39 PM
Quote
Pizza just doesn't exist outside inside NJ/metro NY.
Fixed it for ya...
Come to Chicago......and learn that ketchup smeared on a Ritz craker with a slice of velveeta on top is NOT pizza.
Yuck. Chicago pizza, like its politics, is too thick and rather disgusting.
Doughball with toppings, NOT pizza.
Best pizza, IMO, is still DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies in Trenton.
Post by: Bogie on October 26, 2007, 08:35:19 PM
Anywho, It was at a place just north of St. Louis' "Landing" area. I noticed it was a little "different" when our shuttle bus pulled into a parking lot surrounded by concertina. Yup. The Real Thing.
So, we all chowed... Seriously nice steakage. And then the "flog the expense account" bit took over... Some of the folks just had to get majorly freaky. And the joint had a NICE cellar...
I remember one female consultant whoofing. In the middle of the room.
Post by: 280plus on October 27, 2007, 04:29:22 AM
Not that they're any good, I'm just nosy.
Post by: grislyatoms on October 27, 2007, 04:35:58 AM
Henry's Seafood in Va. Beach, the ex and I were celebrating our recent marriage. Steamed oysters, steamed clams, flounder, crab legs, lobster, etc. One of the best meals I ever had and worth every penny.
I can't even remember the last time kiddo and I went out to eat. She is just as satisfied with a kid's meal from Burger King as she would be with anything else.
Quite frankly, I can cook better than the majority of restaurants anyway, so we don't go out much.
Post by: 280plus on October 27, 2007, 04:42:18 AM
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on October 27, 2007, 05:33:23 AM
Post by: RevDisk on October 28, 2007, 09:33:29 AM
Generally $25-35 per person.
I generally don't hit too many chain places. I admit, once a year or so, I do hit an Olive Garden. There's plenty of local places with better food. A nice Thai place is within a stone's throw, but their menu is a bit limited and the food is only decent. Best Thai place I ever ate in was in Serbia. I used to live near a decent sushi place.
When I want a good meal, I cook it myself. My roommate is Chilean, and I'm German/Italian. Mixing South American and Italian cuisine has led to some 'interesting' results.
Post by: 280plus on October 28, 2007, 02:51:24 PM
Post by: Manedwolf on October 28, 2007, 03:20:26 PM
Mmmmm, Thai, just had green curry chicken at spice level #2 for lunch . Good thing I didn't go for level #3!
One Thai place I go to has a listing of the curry levels on their menu, from "mild" to "only for Thai nationals" and "provide proof of insurance".
Post by: De Selby on October 28, 2007, 03:31:58 PM
Post by: 280plus on October 28, 2007, 03:58:10 PM
Quote
"provide proof of insurance".
Yea, I was about midway through, starting to sweat pretty good and the waitress comes over, looks at me and says,"You ok? Too spicy for you?" and I said, in a choked whispery voice, "No, I'm fine it's good! Can I have some more water please?"
Anyhow, I was there to clean out the drain on their ice machine so I blew it out with some nitrogen and swapped doing that for lunch. All the cute little Thai girls were sooo happy (They ain't doing much business). They were all standing there in a line smiling, waving and saying goodbye to me as I left. It was like I was a star...
Post by: drewtam on October 28, 2007, 04:24:26 PM
That was some awesome steak, but I would never do that out of my own pocket, haha. Afterwards, my boss says to me, "we're never doing that again." I think he felt a little guilty.
Drew
Post by: Regolith on October 28, 2007, 04:41:56 PM
I'm in college.
A nice dinner for my fiancee and I runs $30-40. A "normal" dinner out runs about $13 for two.
Money is expensive
A nice dinner for my fiancee and I runs $30-40. A "normal" dinner out runs about $13 for two.
Money is expensive
No joke.
My brother and I (who are attending the same college out of state) hit up a Chinese food restaurant once a week. Sometimes we go for Mexican or Denny's. Total tab is usually less than $20, including tip.
Sometimes, when we go home and go out to eat with our parents, the tab runs up to $60 for four. I don't think we've ever paid more than $80 or so for a family dinner.
I can't imagine spending $400 on a meal.....all I've got to say to that is it better be damn good.
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on October 28, 2007, 05:30:45 PM
Post by: Fly320s on October 29, 2007, 02:38:24 AM
There must have been an expensive bottle of wine opened. Maybe an "escort?"
Oh, I know, someone bought a congressman.
Post by: mtnbkr on October 29, 2007, 03:48:18 AM
Chris
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on October 29, 2007, 01:22:18 PM
im my wildest dreams i could spend 1400 on lunch i did spend that much on dope each week back in the day though