I am an experience driven person. Even though I spent many years shopping, my favorite purchases always centered around experiences. Interestingly enough, I didn’t pay for this experience and I thought I would take a few moments and share it with you.
I am a foodie. I love cooking food for myself and others, going to the market, growing food, and having a nice meal. Because I love food so much I am willing to forgo fast food in order to enjoy a fantastic meal out once or twice a month.
Now that Denver and Boulder have amazing food scenes, these meals out are truly memorable occasions.
Several years ago I had the pleasure of going to a very well-know restaurant in Boulder called Frasca. My boyfriend at the time was promoted (he worked in IT) and so his boss took us out for dinner. There were 4 or 5 of us and it was a truly phenomenal experience. I believe we had a 5 course meal with win pairings.
I’ve gone to a lot of meals with wine pairings, but this was truly an amazing night of food, celebration, and hanging out with new people.
I should also mention that the meal was around $900. Really.
When I think about it now, I can’t believe that I’ve partaken in a meal that was so expensive. We could have purchased groceries for the food pantry, purchased two tickets to Costa Rica from Denver, or one ticket to Europe.
Even though I didn’t spend the money I feel a little uneasy or maybe even a little awkward about enjoying a meal such as the one we had that night. To be fair Frasca is a nationally ranked restaurant and I have seen it listed in top 25 lists in some food magazines.
Should I feel wrong or conflicted about celebrating a free meal? Why on earth do I feel guilty?
I felt guilty because the cost was so outside of my comfort range.
Eating a meal that expensive made me feel like I was part of the ruling class in a third world country where I walk outside of the restaurant and have my driver take me home. Or, like I was Marie Antoinette and about to say “let them eat cake” while making money rain.
The meal was an experience and I’m glad that I’ve eaten there. But, I won’t be going back anytime soon. Not because of the food-that was brilliant. But because I can’t justify the cost. Instead I will go to their newly opened pizzeria with a giant wood oven-located next door. I’ve eaten there before (with a New Yorker) and it was some of the best pizza I’ve had in the U.S. the other place that I’ve had good pizza from is the Basta mobile wood fired oven at the First Friday Artwalk in Denver (Basta is another Boulder restaurant).
The second most expensive meal I had was at Beano’s Cabin in Beaver Creek (next to Vail). That meal was $250 and you had to take a snowcat up to the cabin at the top of the mountain.
We had sweetbreads. If you don’t know what that is-Google it 🙂
What is the most expensive meal you’ve eaten? Where? Why? And how Did You Feel Afterwards?
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Yowzers! I hear ya, even if I am not paying, if I saw a huge bill like that, I would definitely feel guilty. I would say our most expensive meal ever (as a couple) has been fairly cheap – like maybe $120. We are also not alcohol drinkers, though!
Luckily his boss was paying, but it was truly the most expensive meal I’ve ever eaten. I’m not a big drinker but that night we also had 5 (?) bottles of wine. It was ridiculous! Yes, the food was amazing.
The meal of a lifetime! haha
I don’t think we’ve ever spent more than $150 and that includes alcohol.
I doubt I will have a meal that expensive again. Especially if I have to pay for it-not going to happen!
I’ve been there, but if his boss can afford it, he can afford it. I’ve only had a meal with wine pairings once and it was one of the best experiences of my life. There is truly such great pleasure that comes from taste!
I thanked his boss very graciously and it was on the company’s tab! It was a phenomenal experience and I’m glad that I had it.
Damn, $900! That’s enough to feed my more than six months! 😀
Be happy that you didn’t have to pay afterwards! And don’t feel bad for your then boyfriend’s boss, he probably could afford it – or not, but then he’s just dumb.
It was on the company’s account. But, that was a lot of money. I think it was a normal trend for that company when people got huge promotions.
we came back from disney world recently and one particular meal was well north of $200. we were frugal the entire trip EXCEPT for this meal, and we only sprung for it because of the fact that my daughter would get to meet 5 different princesses there.
was it worth it?.. eh.. maybe 🙂
Jefferson, for the smile on your daughter’s face those 5 annoying princesses at $200 were priceless. Tehe!!
Wow that’s crazy! We don’t really eat super expensive meals. The most we’ve spent was probably $100 for the both of us.
It was a VERY good meal. But, mad expensive.