The French Laundry in Yountville, CA has an average check size of $957. The owner of this restaurant also owns the second most expensive restaurant in America. Their website states that “a great meal is not about the food and the wine. A great meal is an emotional experience… a great meal is not one that fills you up. A great meal is a kind of journey that returns you to sources of pleasure you may have forgotten and takes you to places you haven’t been before.”
Per Se located in New York City. Main chef and owner, Thomas Keller also is the owner of French Laundry. The average check size at Per Se will run you about $883. Per Se is the “urban interpretatoin of The French Laundry.”
Michael Mina in San Francisco will cost you about $844 on average. It is described as”Japanese ingredients and a French influence.”
Alinea in Chicago. The average ticket here is $736. In May of 2010 this restaurant was listed as number seven in a list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. It was also in Chicago Magazine as the best restaurant in Chicago in a list of 40.
Charlie Trotters is the fifth most expensive restaurant in America at an average check amount of $666. This restaurant is in Chicago as well. It was in third place on the list done by the Chicago Magazine in May of 2010. The owner recently said: “I do not want guests walking out of the restaurant feeling as if they over-indulged because of excessive cream, butter, and alcohol. I want them to feel stimulated and alert, knowing that they will be able to look forward to breakfast the following morning. Food doesn’t have to be rich to taste good.”
