The eye-opening check at the end of the meal seems not to be an obstacle for high-rolling foodies with a penchant for high-end restaurants.
Now the online Daily Meal - which reports on all things food and drink - has compiled its list of "The 25 Most Expensive Restaurants in America." Nine of them are in California, named here according to their rankings. Not surprisingly, most hold Michelin stars.
The No. 1 spot goes to Masa in New York City, where the average check is $1,269.
No. 2: Urasawa, Beverly Hills
Average check: $1,111
"This Japanese culinary shrine, with a sushi bar and just enough room for 10 diners nightly, is located in a shopping center off Rodeo Drive."
No. 4: French Laundry, Yountville
Average check: $800
"Taking over what had been a good but far simpler restaurant, chef Thomas Keller approaches contemporary American food with classical techniques."
No. 5: Meadowood, St. Helena
Average check: $750
"The restaurant recently underwent a full renovation. It must be a popular date spot, because reservations are overwhelmingly for parties of two."
No. 11: Mélisse, Los Angeles
Average check: $468
"(The chef-owner) draws inspiration from ingredients available at the farmers market and the local purveyors he partners with to craft his seasonally changing menu."
No. 13: Coi, San Francisco
Average check: $440
"Using carefully sourced ingredients, (the chef) serves thoughtful Northern California cuisine, balancing classical methods with modern techniques."
No. 14: Manresa, Los Gatos
Average check: $436
"This year, it snagged the 48th spot in Restaurant Magazine's list of the top 50 restaurants in the world."
No. 15: Baumé, Palo Alto
Average check: $421
"The macrobiotic 'experiment' is named after French chemist Antoine Baume - appropriate for a French cuisine moderne approach. The menu incorporates unique ingredients like dehydrated 'sand' made of apples."
No. 16: Cyrus, Healdsburg
Average check: $415
"One of the premier dining destinations in Sonoma Valley. Seasonal, locally sourced produce (for) French- and Asian-inspired dishes."
No. 17: Addison, San Diego
Average check: $413
"The signature restaurant in the Grand Del Mar resort. French cooking with local ingredients. The menu offers dishes such as sea scallops sashimi with Dutch white asparagus."
To see the complete list, go to www.thedailymeal.com/americas-25-most-expensive-restaurants-0.
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