How much do you spend on dining out a year?

[Lethe200]

I like to cook, but I also like to dine out and we are not budget-constrained. Pre-lockdown we did a regular "route" of driving trips to various Northern CA counties to enjoy new and fav restaurants. 2/3 of the cost of each trip was meals, 2x daily.

Our trips lasted 3-6 days. We are SO THANKFUL we did an extra-long Napa/Sonoma counties trip the end of February 2020, just before the lockdown. We don't usually combine the two counties because Sonoma County is really, really big. Usually we break Sonoma County into four separate trips during the year, and do Napa 1x or 2x yrly.

Weather was glorious - spring is magnificent in the Wine Country, far better than summertime when all the tourists appear. Roads were empty, hills were green, restaurants were hoppin'.

Lockdown still in effect, so we now very occasionally do take-out. OTOH, our grocery bill is a lot higher than before, LOL!

When we traveled - and hopefully we can start again by next summer/fall - dining out 2x daily generally ran the two of us from $275-$550 daily. We don't stint on what we order, and although Spouse doesn't drink at all, I will sometimes get wine or an after-dinner liqueur.

We eat generally at moderate-priced restaurants, 2- or 3-star types. 4-stars usually just a couple of times per trip. Variety of cuisines as we both have wide-ranging tastes. We usually aimed for 5-6 trips per year, almost all midweek since weekends tend to have much bigger crowds/worse traffic.

 

[Aneeda72]

I like to cook, but I also like to dine out and we are not budget-constrained. Pre-lockdown we did a regular "route" of driving trips to various Northern CA counties to enjoy new and fav restaurants. 2/3 of the cost of each trip was meals, 2x daily.

Our trips lasted 3-6 days. We are SO THANKFUL we did an extra-long Napa/Sonoma counties trip the end of February 2020, just before the lockdown. We don't usually combine the two counties because Sonoma County is really, really big. Usually we break Sonoma County into four separate trips during the year, and do Napa 1x or 2x yrly.

Weather was glorious - spring is magnificent in the Wine Country, far better than summertime when all the tourists appear. Roads were empty, hills were green, restaurants were hoppin'.

Lockdown still in effect, so we now very occasionally do take-out. OTOH, our grocery bill is a lot higher than before, LOL!

When we traveled - and hopefully we can start again by next summer/fall - dining out 2x daily generally ran the two of us from $275-$550 daily. We don't stint on what we order, and although Spouse doesn't drink at all, I will sometimes get wine or an after-dinner liqueur.

We eat generally at moderate-priced restaurants, 2- or 3-star types. 4-stars usually just a couple of times per trip. Variety of cuisines as we both have wide-ranging tastes. We usually aimed for 5-6 trips per year, almost all midweek since weekends tend to have much bigger crowds/worse traffic.

I grew up in California and have traveled back there from time to time. Our last trip through the redwoods was terrific. Our last trip to San Francisco we ate at a seafood restaurant that was terrific. They put a paper cover on the table, gave you two “hammers” and dumped a couple of buckets of mixed seafood on the table. You ate with your hands.

We have eaten at several different restaurants with difference experiences. I doubt our restaurant had any stars, but it had lots of fresh seafood. Before COVID we ate at a Chinese restaurant where the wait staff and cooks are Chinese with little English. Our sons significant other is Chinese and she orders. Doubt that restaurant has any stars.

My point is that eating at a restaurant that has “stars” is not that big a deal, IMO. (I personally hate caviar ). Eating out is more about the experience with other people and less about the price of the food.

 

[Lethe200]

My point is that eating at a restaurant that has “stars” is not that big a deal, IMO. (I personally hate caviar. Eating out is more about the experience with other people and less about the price of the food.

You are free to eat your way, as I am free to prefer mine.

I love caviar (and offal, for that matter). But I will say that if you have not personally compared eating a specific dish at a good local neighborhood spot, versus that dish made at a higher-end restaurant which uses better quality ingredients, makes their sauces from scratch, and uses more precise and time-consuming techniques, then you are not comparing apples to apples.

A good restaurant trains its staff well, and we have no objection to paying for quality ingredients prepared with precise techniques and beautifully presented. Polished, professional service only adds to enjoyment of a fine meal.

We love some of our neighborhood restaurants, including a great taqueria. But we would never claim that our good local Japanese restaurant, for example, is anywhere near the elegant, exquisite kaiseki dinners my family has enjoyed at special times over the years. It would be like saying Stouffer's frozen lasagne is as good as the version made at the upscale restaurant Oliveto, which uses thin fresh pasta sheets and housemade fresh mozzarella. There is a world of difference between the two, once one has tasted both.

As I mentioned above, we are not budget-constrained. We are very fortunate in this. Dining out is something I greatly enjoy, and my spouse is happy to come along. We've discovered wonderful new dishes and and have been happy to support many local businesses.

 

[Aneeda72]

You are free to eat your way, as I am free to prefer mine.

I love caviar (and offal, for that matter). But I will say that if you have not personally compared eating a specific dish at a good local neighborhood spot, versus that dish made at a higher-end restaurant which uses better quality ingredients, makes their sauces from scratch, and uses more precise and time-consuming techniques, then you are not comparing apples to apples.

A good restaurant trains its staff well, and we have no objection to paying for quality ingredients prepared with precise techniques and beautifully presented. Polished, professional service only adds to enjoyment of a fine meal.

We love some of our neighborhood restaurants, including a great taqueria. But we would never claim that our good local Japanese restaurant, for example, is anywhere near the elegant, exquisite kaiseki dinners my family has enjoyed at special times over the years. It would be like saying Stouffer's frozen lasagne is as good as the version made at the upscale restaurant Oliveto, which uses thin fresh pasta sheets and housemade fresh mozzarella. There is a world of difference between the two, once one has tasted both.

As I mentioned above, we are not budget-constrained. We are very fortunate in this. Dining out is something I greatly enjoy, and my spouse is happy to come along. We've discovered wonderful new dishes and and have been happy to support many local businesses.

You are, of course, correct everyone is free to eat where they want. But you have repeatedly said you are not “budget constrained” so it seems to be that eating out at expensive restaurants is important to you for a variety of reasons, other than food, which is ok as well. I have a nephew who is a millionaire, I get it. But his kids like McDonald’s .

But I question the ingredient claim. “Better quality ingredients”.

Fresh sea food from a sea port side restaurant is the best ingredient possible, has nothing to do with “stars” a restaurant has. But there was nothing elegant about the restaurant I went to. Fresh veggies are great, I know, I grow them in my backyard and you won’t get any better veggies anywhere in the world than those grown in a home garden. But restaurant can not buy those veggies.

I walk outside and pick veggies that have never been sprayed with a chemical, are warm from the sun, and have not been “trucked“ miles and miles. My kitchen is not “elegant”, neither is my dining room and I serve myself. But my veggies are better than any served in any restaurant.

The meals served in five star restaurants, for the most part, are not cooked by the “famous chef” that owns them. Bobby Flay is not in the kitchen. But those kitchens do have a variety of staff that perform various functions and I am sure the wait staff is high quality as well.

So, we agree to disagree. .

 

[katlupe]

The only food I really buy from a restaurant is Chinese. I love it. I could live on it and one order can last me 3 days. But I don't get it every week or even every month. Between the quarantine and my dental problems, I do not like to eat out at all now. I need soft food or little finger foods. The last restaurant I went to was in June and went out of town to meet my boyfriend's cousin and his family.

I have had fast food or Subway chopped salads, but my boyfriend usually buys that and brings it to my apartment.

So I am guessing my amount for the whole year might be about $200. if that.

 

[Lewkat]

In 2020about $400.00

 

[Aunt Marg]

You are, of course, correct everyone is free to eat where they want. But you have repeatedly said you are not “budget constrained” so it seems to be that eating out at expensive restaurants is important to you for a variety of reasons, other than food, which is ok as well. I have a nephew who is a millionaire, I get it. But his kids like McDonald’s .

But I question the ingredient claim. “Better quality ingredients”.

Fresh sea food from a sea port side restaurant is the best ingredient possible, has nothing to do with “stars” a restaurant has. But there was nothing elegant about the restaurant I went to. Fresh veggies are great, I know, I grow them in my backyard and you won’t get any better veggies anywhere in the world than those grown in a home garden. But restaurant can not buy those veggies.

I walk outside and pick veggies that have never been sprayed with a chemical, are warm from the sun, and have not been “trucked“ miles and miles. My kitchen is not “elegant”, neither is my dining room and I serve myself. But my veggies are better than any served in any restaurant.

The meals served in five star restaurants, for the most part, are not cooked by the “famous chef” that owns them. Bobby Flay is not in the kitchen. But those kitchens do have a variety of staff that perform various functions and I am sure the wait staff is high quality as well.

So, we agree to disagree. .

I don't get it.

I could be a billionaire, and I wouldn't go out to a restaurant daily, not even monthly.

In fact not a single thing would change for me, as I love cooking and knowing how, an what, goes into the making of my food on the table, which is more than can be said for what restaurants serve up.

I'd rather flush my money down a toilet than hand it over to some restaurant.

 

[Liberty]

I like to cook, but I also like to dine out and we are not budget-constrained. Pre-lockdown we did a regular "route" of driving trips to various Northern CA counties to enjoy new and fav restaurants. 2/3 of the cost of each trip was meals, 2x daily.

Our trips lasted 3-6 days. We are SO THANKFUL we did an extra-long Napa/Sonoma counties trip the end of February 2020, just before the lockdown. We don't usually combine the two counties because Sonoma County is really, really big. Usually we break Sonoma County into four separate trips during the year, and do Napa 1x or 2x yrly.

Weather was glorious - spring is magnificent in the Wine Country, far better than summertime when all the tourists appear. Roads were empty, hills were green, restaurants were hoppin'.

Lockdown still in effect, so we now very occasionally do take-out. OTOH, our grocery bill is a lot higher than before, LOL!

When we traveled - and hopefully we can start again by next summer/fall - dining out 2x daily generally ran the two of us from $275-$550 daily. We don't stint on what we order, and although Spouse doesn't drink at all, I will sometimes get wine or an after-dinner liqueur.

We eat generally at moderate-priced restaurants, 2- or 3-star types. 4-stars usually just a couple of times per trip. Variety of cuisines as we both have wide-ranging tastes. We usually aimed for 5-6 trips per year, almost all midweek since weekends tend to have much bigger crowds/worse traffic.

We lived in Northern California years ago and it was fun, like it is here in the Hill country of Texas, to take a day trip and enjoy a drink and meal or two at places you've wanted to visit.

Sure hope eventually life gets back to that stage again. Huh!

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I use the Family Budget Planner tracker by Vertex. It automatically tallies by month and year so I know exactly how much I spent in 2020. I spent $172 and that includes while on vacation as well as treating my sister and my son.

 

[JimBob1952]

I admire the thrift and self-discipline shown by posters on this thread. I'm not going to say what we spend but it's too much.