Quote from: xhomerx10 on May 20, 2025, 03:15:10 PM

While the menu isn't real per se, it was hypothetically designed to provide optimal nutritional values with respect to healthy fats, protein and carbohydrates for an 80kg adult. I would like to point out that scallops are very high in protein and this particular menu provides 22g of protein which should be just about right for an 80kg adult at one sitting. If you like, I can ask the chef for the nutritional information sheets we are required to maintain by law in the EU.

22g of protein are about the bear minimum for my meals if I skip the gym that day. I do my best to maintain a healthy and balanced (although protein heavy) diet, so I'm glad to hear that thought went into it. I had no idea that the EU regulates that in regards to restaurants. I'm not sure how I feel about that. The health nut in me approves, but the anti-commie American says...

"You'll have to rip the
In-N-Out 4x4 out
of my cold, dead hands"

Quote from: xhomerx10 on May 20, 2025, 03:15:10 PM

As an aside, I don't think people go to this type of restaurant simply for a meal - they want an exclusive, luxury dining experience where they can explore new and exciting flavours in an elegant setting. I would imagine once the shine wears off and it's not longer "new", they run out of customers who can afford their offerings unless they're in a densely-populated city.

My closest experience to something like a Michelin-starred restaurant was at a culinary college's practice kitchen/restaurant where they learned/trained every aspect of the dining experience. Before we had kids, my wife and I stopped in one day for dinner and for $40 total we felt like king and queen when we left. While it would have fallen very short of a Michelin-star experience, I'm sure, the food and the service was awesome and the best I'd ever experienced. The place was a long way from where we live so the stars and planets have to align in order for that particular dining opportunity to present itself. Now, it's impossible as the covid response killed it.

Yeah, that was all the rage around here in years past. Ironically, whenever a new "fancy" restaurant opens up these days (which still happens from time to time,) you'll mostly see Corollas and Civics in the parking lot; young people pretending to be cultured and sophisticated. That's how you'll know the establishment is doomed. Meanwhile, just down the street you have the old American classic "Italian Steakhouse" Marin Joe's, where you can still get a porterhouse with two sides for under $50. That's where you'll see all the Mercedes, BMWs, at least two Bentleys, and the occasional Aston Martin.

Being that this is California's wine country, there are some long time hold outs that only subsist on tourism and the allure of name-recognition of their celebrity chefs and/or owners, like John Ash and The French Laundry. Willie's Wine Bar is another, but their prices are bit more reasonable, enough so that they still tend to attract Joe Sixpack if he feels like taking his wife out for a fancy anniversary dinner. There are some others that have managed to survive covid and subsequent recession. I've been to several of them, but only when I've had clients or vendors visiting from far off, and feel like splurging on their corporate cards. I would never pay for any of them myself, with the exception of Willie's on occasion. Not that I go out often, I prefer home cooked meals anyway. My family often asks me where I want to go for my birthday dinner, and my answer is always the same; "The back yard. You buy the meat, and I'll barbeque it."

Quote from: xhomerx10 on May 20, 2025, 03:15:10 PM

edit: Video showing the preparation of the molecular spheres in the third course of my menu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FETI17xsiR8

That does look pretty good. It's all about the presentation.

Quote from: xhomerx10 on Today at 01:30:53 AM

Quote from: Arriemoller on May 20, 2025, 10:46:44 PM

~

~

Costco is the best! I pay for the Business Premium membership so my kids can have cards. Since I get 2% back on anything they buy there, the membership fee gets paid and I still end up with a couple of hundred in returns. That's not even counting what I save on gas the other stuff I buy there. Now that the kids are grown and out of the house I don't buy as many groceries there, except for stuff that keeps for a while. I still buy most of my meat and fish there, and freeze what I don't use immediately.