What do you consider an "expensive" dinner?

bradgator2 · Nov 18, 2019

I have given up on nice steakhouses. Berns was my last attempt. Dont get me wrong, it was damn good. But I can fly in better meat from some of the best farms in the country for way cheaper. Not only that, but I can cook them better. And I just have a hard time paying 5x the price for a bottle of wine.

Not that it is expensive, but it's the same with BBQ places. I can just cook it so much better. We've 100% given up the typical franchises like Outback or Olive Garden. The food just sucks. We did eat at a Chedders recently and I was very pleasantly surprised. Bonefish and Carrabas are still good, but are teetering on the edge of being kicked off the cliff.

So for us, it is all about the local places. If we are visiting somewhere, I will research the hell out of eating establishments before the trip.

For a general restaurant for a family of 4 where the kids are no longer on the kids menu, 1-2 drinks for the wife and me, and an app... it is easily $125 with tip. So I would call "expensive" double that. We might do expensive once a year.

TLB · Nov 18, 2019

BMF said:
Has anyone ever eaten at Berns Steakhouse in Tampa?

Wife and I went while still dating...damn, that was roughly 20y ago. Anyway, neither of us really drank wine but enjoyed the tour. I can't tell you what we ate, but it was the overall 'experience' which we liked and pine to try again some day.

bradgator2 said:
We've 100% given up the typical franchises like Outback or Olive Garden. The food just sucks. We did eat at a Chedders recently and I was very pleasantly surprised. Bonefish and Carrabas are still good, but are teetering on the edge of being kicked off the cliff.

So for us, it is all about the local places. If we are visiting somewhere, I will research the hell out of eating establishments before the trip.

98% of chains are off my list in general, though I can't cook for myself, I'll admit it. It's more about enjoying local flavors and supporting local small businesses, so I'm with you on that note. Even moreso when travelling.

Detroitgator · Nov 18, 2019

bradgator2 said:
I have given up on nice steakhouses. Berns was my last attempt. Dont get me wrong, it was damn good. But I can fly in better meat from some of the best farms in the country for way cheaper. Not only that, but I can cook them better. And I just have a hard time paying 5x the price for a bottle of wine.

Not that it is expensive, but it's the same with BBQ places. I can just cook it so much better. We've 100% given up the typical franchises like Outback or Olive Garden. The food just sucks. We did eat at a Chedders recently and I was very pleasantly surprised. Bonefish and Carrabas are still good, but are teetering on the edge of being kicked off the cliff.

So for us, it is all about the local places. If we are visiting somewhere, I will research the hell out of eating establishments before the trip.

For a general restaurant for a family of 4 where the kids are no longer on the kids menu, 1-2 drinks for the wife and me, and an app... it is easily $125 with tip. So I would call "expensive" double that. We might do expensive once a year.

Agreed on all... like I said, 2 times in last 10 years, both with Son #1. My wife grills better steaks than 9 out of 10 places using the gas grill let alone if we break out the BGE.

Gator By Marriage · Nov 19, 2019

BMF said:
Has anyone ever eaten at Berns Steakhouse in Tampa?

Mrs. G and I went once a long time ago. It was good and the tour was interesting, but I wouldn’t go back

bradgator2 said:
I have given up on nice steakhouses. Berns was my last attempt. Dont get me wrong, it was damn good. But I can fly in better meat from some of the best farms in the country for way cheaper. Not only that, but I can cook them better. And I just have a hard time paying 5x the price for a bottle of wine.

Not that it is expensive, but it's the same with BBQ places. I can just cook it so much better. We've 100% given up the typical franchises like Outback or Olive Garden. The food just sucks. We did eat at a Chedders recently and I was very pleasantly surprised. Bonefish and Carrabas are still good, but are teetering on the edge of being kicked off the cliff.

So for us, it is all about the local places. If we are visiting somewhere, I will research the hell out of eating establishments before the trip.

For a general restaurant for a family of 4 where the kids are no longer on the kids menu, 1-2 drinks for the wife and me, and an app... it is easily $125 with tip. So I would call "expensive" double that. We might do expensive once a year.

With you a 100%. When the kids were little, we’d go to chains when traveling just because you knew they’d have something the kids would eat. I share your thoughts on Carraba’s, but Bonefish is a little odd. I find they vary tremendously by location. There’s one near my in laws house in Pasco that is always very good and I’ve been to others that were average to bad. The only chains I completely trust are Cracker Barrel (for Breakfast) and Chik-Fil-A.

bradgator2 · Nov 19, 2019

Gator By Marriage said:
Mrs. G and I went once a long time ago. It was good and the tour was interesting, but I wouldn’t go back

With you a 100%. When the kids were little, we’d go to chains when traveling just because you knew they’d have something the kids would eat. I share your thoughts on Carraba’s, but Bonefish is a little odd. I find they vary tremendously by location. There’s one near my in laws house in Pasco that is always very good and I’ve been to others that were average to bad. The only chains I completely trust are Cracker Barrel (for Breakfast) and Chik-Fil-A.

Chik-Fil-A never misses and is always our go to for a quick bite. I'll add that our local Zaxbys and PDQ is also a homerun. I dont think PDQ can be beat for freshness. It's an open kitchen and they are slicing the tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, etc fresh to each order.

I was so surprised at the quality of our Cheddars meal. We will definitely go back.

We kind of gave up on Cracker Barrel unless we were interstate traveling. A few months ago we stopped into one and was pleasantly surprised. Looks like they got a little kick in the ass to step up their game.

Detroitgator · Nov 19, 2019

bradgator2 said:
Chik-Fil-A never misses and is always our go to for a quick bite. I'll add that our local Zaxbys and PDQ is also a homerun. I dont think PDQ can be beat for freshness. It's an open kitchen and they are slicing the tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, etc fresh to each order.

I was so surprised at the quality of our Cheddars meal. We will definitely go back.

We kind of gave up on Cracker Barrel unless we were interstate traveling. A few months ago we stopped into one and was pleasantly surprised. Looks like they got a little kick in the ass to step up their game.

Son #1 is going to work for the PDQ founders.

Gator By Marriage · Nov 19, 2019

bradgator2 said:
Chik-Fil-A never misses and is always our go to for a quick bite. I'll add that our local Zaxbys and PDQ is also a homerun. I dont think PDQ can be beat for freshness. It's an open kitchen and they are slicing the tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, etc fresh to each order.

I was so surprised at the quality of our Cheddars meal. We will definitely go back.

We kind of gave up on Cracker Barrel unless we were interstate traveling. A few months ago we stopped into one and was pleasantly surprised. Looks like they got a little kick in the ass to step up their game.

We especially liked CB when the kids were little because #1 they had grilled cheese and #2 the decor and little golf tee game kept the kids from getting bored while we waited for the food! I've had brunch a few times at the CB off of Archer @ I-75 in G-ville. So far, so good.

daytonacane · Nov 19, 2019

I sometimes go to Berns just for the dessert and coffee. Steaks are very good quality, but somewhat over-priced.

Bushmaster · Nov 19, 2019

Concrete Helmet said:
I spent 7 years working at a Mobil Guide 4 star rated restaurant cooking overpriced pretentious BS like Beluga caviar and Foie Gras while watching people spend over $100 per person for appetizers(in the late 80's and early 90's) of overfed Goose Livers and Surgeon eggs from Russia served with frozen crepes and Vodka infused Crème Fraiche(basically French sour cream)…...I was always amazed at how sophisticated they acted while eating overpriced sh!t…..

....................

I read that paragraph like 10 times and the only thing I knew was caviar.

Bushmaster · Nov 19, 2019

This is going to sound crazy as I don't really believe it myself, but the best steak I ever had (with no close second) was at an Outback Steakhouse. Granted it was in Ft. Worth, TX so the quality of meat was likely a lot better than the Carolinas. The manager had his own dry rub he put on the steak and send a ziplock bag home with me.

We ate steak every night for a week on that trip and hit all the must eat places. They were pretty good, but paled in comparison. It was so good I didn't even have to put ketchup on it!!! :)

URGatorBait · Nov 19, 2019

bradgator2 said:
I was so surprised at the quality of our Cheddars meal. We will definitely go back.

Cheddars depends on the location you go to. When it's good it's good, and you get quite a bit of food for a very reasonable price.

But even when it isn't the best, it has still been pretty good :lol:

We've been to one near Alcoa, TN and then two here in Orlando. The one in TN was great, but was also the first time I had ever been to one.
We've been to the one in Sanford a couple times and there is always a ridiculous wait there, and then there is another by the Orlando Intl Airport I think that we went to once. No complaints for me so far.

BMF · Nov 20, 2019

How many of you prefer fine seafood vs. a fine steak (i.e. expensive restaurant)? I'm not a huge steak person, I like it, but I honestly enjoy a good cheeseburger just as much. I love a good Florida lobster (warm water lobster), and prefer that to a good steak.

I really like Bonefish, but the one close to me in Arlington, VA (in the Pentagon City area) is horrible - and I'm assuming it's the staff. I love the one in Jax Beach.

For Veteran's Day, Fogo de Chao had a 50% off deal for veterans. Me and some buddies went. Really, really good. But i just couldn't imagine paying full price for that.

Gator By Marriage · Nov 20, 2019

Concrete Helmet said:
I spent 7 years watching people spend over $100 per person for Surgeon eggs from Russia served with frozen crepes and Vodka infused Crème Fraiche(basically French sour cream)…..

Surgeon eggs from Russia huh? American surgeons were too smart to let you take their eggs I guess. It does explain why they were so expensive, but I have to admit I personally would charge a lot more
to give up my eggs.

Gator By Marriage · Nov 20, 2019

BMF said:
How many of you prefer fine seafood vs. a fine steak (i.e. expensive restaurant)? I'm not a huge steak person, I like it, but I honestly enjoy a good cheeseburger just as much. I love a good Florida lobster (warm water lobster), and prefer that to a good steak.

I really like Bonefish, but the one close to me in Arlington, VA (in the Pentagon City area) is horrible - and I'm assuming it's the staff. I love the one in Jax Beach.

For Veteran's Day, Fogo de Chao had a 50% off deal for veterans. Me and some buddies went. Really, really good. But i just couldn't imagine paying full price for that.

Personally, I'll take seafood. Don't know how long you've been in DC, but there was a phenomenal place in Foggy Bottom called Kinkeads that for my money was one of the best restaurants (and the best seafood restaurant) I've ever been to and was our go-to place for special occasions - and only special occasions as it was not cheap. Sadly it closed in 2012 (though the chef/owner, Bob Kinkead, was supposed to be opening another place in DC).
I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but Bonefish is like real estate; it's all location, location, location.

bradgator2 · Nov 20, 2019

BMF said:
How many of you prefer fine seafood vs. a fine steak (i.e. expensive restaurant)? I'm not a huge steak person, I like it, but I honestly enjoy a good cheeseburger just as much. I love a good Florida lobster (warm water lobster), and prefer that to a good steak.

I really like Bonefish, but the one close to me in Arlington, VA (in the Pentagon City area) is horrible - and I'm assuming it's the staff. I love the one in Jax Beach.

For Veteran's Day, Fogo de Chao had a 50% off deal for veterans. Me and some buddies went. Really, really good. But i just couldn't imagine paying full price for that.

Seafood all day.

Moor Restaurant inside the Gaylord Palms in Orlando is holy crap good and what I would call expensive.

I've eaten at an Oceanaire in Dallas that was also simply incredible and uber expensive (company trip). I think Orlando has one as well.

All that luxury is nice. But I think the best seafood in this country is found on the Old Spanish Trail (US98) causeway in Mobile bay near where the USS Alabama is kept. There are like 6 restaurants there where the seafood is being slung off the boats and straight to the grills. Something about that section of the Gulf.

Detroitgator · Nov 20, 2019

BMF said:
How many of you prefer fine seafood vs. a fine steak (i.e. expensive restaurant)? I'm not a huge steak person, I like it, but I honestly enjoy a good cheeseburger just as much. I love a good Florida lobster (warm water lobster), and prefer that to a good steak.

I really like Bonefish, but the one close to me in Arlington, VA (in the Pentagon City area) is horrible - and I'm assuming it's the staff. I love the one in Jax Beach.

For Veteran's Day, Fogo de Chao had a 50% off deal for veterans. Me and some buddies went. Really, really good. But i just couldn't imagine paying full price for that.

Like most steak... would rather make the seafood at home. When we lived in Cali in the Bay Area, there was a fishing company (small shop) by our house, and when Dungeness Crab were in season, and I could call before going home and ask them to "steam and crack" as many as I wanted and pick them up hot on the way home.... it was phenomenal.

TheDouglas78 · Nov 21, 2019

BMF said:
How many of you prefer fine seafood vs. a fine steak (i.e. expensive restaurant)? I'm not a huge steak person, I like it, but I honestly enjoy a good cheeseburger just as much. I love a good Florida lobster (warm water lobster), and prefer that to a good steak.

I really like Bonefish, but the one close to me in Arlington, VA (in the Pentagon City area) is horrible - and I'm assuming it's the staff. I love the one in Jax Beach.

For Veteran's Day, Fogo de Chao had a 50% off deal for veterans. Me and some buddies went. Really, really good. But i just couldn't imagine paying full price for that.

Prefer seafood, the wife and I like a little hole in the wall place on the intercoastal in clearwater call the Backwater Café. It's laid back, the food is good, and it doesn't break the bank.

Gatordiddy · Nov 22, 2019

daytonacane said:
I sometimes go to Berns just for the dessert and coffee. Steaks are very good quality, but somewhat over-priced.

Hey Daytona- no more steaks for you.
:grin:

Detroitgator · Nov 23, 2019

Son #1 and I spent $170 (pre-tip) last night at Rocca in Tampa.

URGatorBait · Nov 23, 2019

fckin rich people :shakehead:

What do you consider an "expensive" dinner?

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