What You'll Get at Your $650 Dinner Tonight

Despite the still-grim economy and a recent British survey finding 80% of people plan to spend New Year’s Eve at home…one New York restaurant is still charging $650 for tonight’s prix fixe menu. Salon takes a look at what going extravagant might get you tonight:

• Aureole, New York: For $650, a five-course meal including big-eye tuna sashimi, chestnut ravioli, Canadian lobster, and New York strip loin.
• Daniel, New York: For $595, a five-course tasting menu (no details on the food), live music, dancing, and a champagne toast.

• Charlie Trotters, Chicago: For $350, a menu including black truffles, Osetra caviar, and premium Japanese beef. Add on $175 to $250 for the wine pairing.
• L'Espalier, Boston: For $195, a three-course meal plus dessert and amuse-bouche. The menu includes milk-fed organic pig, beef tenderloin with foie gras potato gnocchi, and potato-crusted escolar with French Osetra caviar.
• Le Bec-Fin, Philadelphia: For $145, courses including Kumamoto oyster with American caviar, truffle-stuffed turbot, and Colorado rack of lamb.

For Salon’s interview with an expert who explains the prices, click here.
(More Charlie Trotter stories.)