It’s a common notion that people love food and it’s not an incorrect one. But with good ol’ food donning the garb of gastronomy, the eating out ante in the US has been upped. So how do you participate in making your own personal culinary history? To say start by including in your itinerary this list of the most expensive restaurants in America would be like stating the obvious. More like, prepare to indulge in the smorgasbord of mentioned delicacies! Not only are they highly recommended but thoroughly extravagant and our curating of them can make your eating out easy. Spoilers: Vegas will make many appearances and two of the top three establishments are from New York City!
11) Mélisse, Los Angeles
One of the Top 40 Restaurants in the US since 2006 by Gayot, voted Zagat’s number one rated restaurant in Los Angeles since 2003, touted “One of the Finest Five Star Properties in the World” by Forbes Travel Guide in 2013. But that’s not what gives Mélisse its much-valued place on our list. Instead, it’s the intriguing season-driven menu and world-class wine list, curated especially by Chef/Owner Josiah Citrin.
Recognized for its unsurpassed quality, the two Michelin Star Award winning restaurant competitively usurps its position with a combination of chic ambiance, superb, contemporary French cuisine and gracious service. Try its Egg Caviar: Soft poached egg, lemon crème fraîche and American caviar for true melt-in-the-mouth luxury at $468 for two persons (and the chef’s super bowl specials when you’re feeling nostalgic and slightly less indulgent!)
[Mélisse-Los-Angeles]
10) Victoria & Albert’s, Lake Buena Vista, Fla
First of all, Walt Disney World resort. I’m not just saying the first thing that comes to mind on hearing “Buena Vista” but literally beginning a typewritten account of the resort’s and probably all of south east’s finest restaurants. Featuring Modern American cuisine with exquisite products sourced from around the world, this product of Chef Scott Hunnel’s imaginative approach is as much an award winner as it is a food churner.
With truffles from Italy, fresh herbs from Ohio, beef from Japan, oysters from North Florida and poulet rouge from North Carolina, it not only has a menu filled with vivid colors and textures but also exquisite wine pairings with each course to compliment the culinary extravaganza. Here, seasonal equals special and each day Chef Hunnel selects whatever is fresh at the market to create unique menus for the Dining Room, Queen Victoria’s Room and the Chef’s Table. A choice of either is meant to evoke “another era when dining was an elegant ritual”, with a meal for two costing a sum of $552.
[Victoria-Albert-Lake-Buena-Vista]
