Alinea. - by Rug Burn Junky
Aja on 24/8/2006 at 00:37
Great thread - what did the cheque come to?
Ko0K on 24/8/2006 at 01:10
I'd feel guilty about turning all that into dookie.
Tonamel on 24/8/2006 at 01:10
According to the Alinea website, $175 per person. So, assuming it was just him and his wife ($350), plus the $1200 for airfare and hotel, so $1550.
It was a very expensive meal. Good to know it was totally worth it!
tungsten on 24/8/2006 at 01:59
Mmhh!
Did that really just cost 175.- per person? That's a very good price. Or did you have to add wine to the bill?
Is this big influence of Japanese cuisine new (where you live), or did I just miss it before I've come here to Japan? I fully understand this "inspiration by Japan" because Japanese cooking is simply one of the best! (from very low to the very high end of cooking, it offers such a wide variety and freshness)
Rug Burn Junky on 24/8/2006 at 02:22
Not sure where you get a big Japanese influence from, it was only a small fraction of the meal, and then only in passing.
Though amongst high end restaurants, Japanese cuisine has long since come into its own, thanks to Nobu, Morimoto et. al.
As for the price, well, $175 just gets you in the door. After the wine pairing and tip, it all adds up to a bit more.
And yeah, I do include the airfare/hotel as a cost of this meal, since that was the ONLY reason I went. Not to mention the cost of rolling up in an Escalade.* If I do ever go back, it will simply be as part of a larger trip.
*That's what the car service sent, and, actually, I was not pleased. I had asked the concierge to order a town car - The Lincoln Executive L is far more comfortable. So hard to get good help these days.
Tocky on 24/8/2006 at 02:33
Sheeeeit. You know you wanted to roll up thumpin.
zifnab on 24/8/2006 at 02:37
I just saw the pictures, but I am now very hungry. Those were beautiful.
TheGreatGodPan on 24/8/2006 at 02:39
Doesn't seem too appetizing to me. But I'm the biggest philistine I know.
Briareos H on 24/8/2006 at 03:16
Reminds me of 'The Gourmet Club' by Junichiro Tanizaki.
Anyway personally I'd take $30 traditional cuisine I cook myself any day over this... yum Coq au Vin... yum Ragouts
tungsten on 24/8/2006 at 03:51
Of course it's not Japanese, but the influence is certainly here: yuba (2), hamachi (5), Kobe beef (7), tempura of some langoustine (14), umeboshi (22) and coffee icecream/jelly with soba ice are certainly Japanese. Tell me another nation that can be identified so clearly as an influence in this marvellous meal!
Maybe what made me think of it is that Japanese cuisine serves many many small dishes that are arranged/prepared for eye, nose and mouth. Even "normal", traditional food...
To join the bandwagon: I liked the post better before the pictures. But that's just me with my book-over-film mood.
