We already took a look at the world's most expensive restaurants for this year, but Forbes has added to their compilation of the priciest restaurants with a list of those located in the US. Unlike the global list, which takes into account the price for only a main course, drink and tip, the US list includes the prices for fixed-price tasting menus, which are definitely the most popular way to eat at top eateries. And those prices are going up. There are new and better ingredients to be used and higher expectations that must be met by these restaurants. "We're seeking out smaller producers with better products, and with that comes a higher expense of preparing them in the kitchen. It creates an upward pressure on menu prices," said one restaurant owner, who also noted that it was fortunate the economy is strong enough to sustain restaurants that serve the such high-priced meals.
At the top of the list is New York City's Masa at $446, followed by California's The French Laundry at $254 and Chicago's Alinea at $168.
The rest of the top ten are after the jump.
- The Herbfarm, $152 in Woodinville, Wash.
- The Inn at Little Washington, $141 in Washington, Va.
- Quinones Room at Bacchanalia, $122 in Atlanta, Ga.
- Le Bec-Fin, $120 in Philadelphia, Pa.
- Alex, $114 in Las Vegas, Nv.
- Maestro, $114 in Washington, D.C.
- Mistral, $ 109 in Seattle , Wa.
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