Restaurants. How good is good enough?

[Kermit power]

There are some exceptionally good restaurants out there, as we all know. Many of them are also obscenely expensive, and I'm sure there's a diminishing level of return whereby after a certain point you're just paying more for the branding.

Question is, where is the level beyond which the increase in price really isn't justified by the increase in food experience?

[Balmoral Green]

Yes.

[HereBeMonsters]

Jamie's Italian.

[sherman]

Pretty much anything above a 1 Michelin star restaurant and I think you are starting to pay for the experience rather than even better food than 1 star restaurant will be able to produce.

[Nolar Dog]

Kermit power said:

Question is, where is the level beyond which the increase in price really isn't justified by the increase in food experience?

Surely there is no "level". It would depend what we each as individuals are happy to pay for the food and/or service we receive.

[BrabusMog]

HereBeMonsters said:

Jamie's Italian.

I'll second this! I went for lunch in one and it was shocking. Bad service from start to finish and a spaghetti bolognese that a prison servery would be embarrassed to serve.

[Kermit power]

Nolar Dog said:

Kermit power said:

Question is, where is the level beyond which the increase in price really isn't justified by the increase in food experience?

Surely there is no "level". It would depend what we each as individuals are happy to pay for the food and/or service we receive.

Well yes, of course, at a detailed level you're correct, but at a more general level I'm interested in people's opinions. I think there are places like the Fat Duck which cost a lot more than most places, yet also a lot extra to the experience, whereas, at a much lower price point, I can't really understand why anyone would pay to extra 30-40% to move from the brasserie to the restaurant in the OXO Tower.

[Slaav]

Isn't it generally all about price?

Obviously you can then go for style vs food etc but if your budget is aorund £100 per head ex wine and service, you can have pretty much anything you want?

£70 and you will be limited at some of the top places?

On the other hand, there are some great lunch deals at som eo fthe top restaurants! Le Gavroche and Pied a Terre for example..... Both are bargains when you consider what you are getting with teh full Michelin star service etc

Price is key - and try several

[bga]

BrabusMog said:

HereBeMonsters said:

Jamie's Italian.

I'll second this! I went for lunch in one and it was shocking. Bad service from start to finish and a spaghetti bolognese that a prison servery would be embarrassed to serve.

I visited the Reading one under duress (I can't stand the guy) but was pleasantly surprised at the food. It wasn't much more expensive than Wagamama where we often ate.

The service wasn't up to standard though, they were very inflexible when a colleague asked for something extra as a side dish.