At $1000, fine dining is no longer an affordable luxury
Could a dinner for two really reach $1000?
That’s what some big-name restaurants are predicting as food and labour costs escalate and skilled shortages continue to bite.
The Australian surveyed some of Australia’s biggest names and found top end restaurants in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane with set price menus could soon be charging dining costs to rival New York, Paris and London.
Combined with the cost of the meal, a bottle of wine, a pre-meal drink and a 10 per cent tip, diners would be looking at $1000 for a minimum spend.
Some restaurants are already there, with Ben Shewry’s award-winning Attica, in Ripponlea, costs at least $957. Shannon Bennett’s Vue de Monde is around the same price. Chef Dan Hunter’s Brae with its matched alcoholic beverages option can cost of $1166, including tip.
The Guy Grossi institution Florentino has a set menu is $627 including tip.
“It’s widely known that the cost of goods has risen, cost of supply, transport, labour, utilities,” Grossi said. “What is less obvious in there is an extra cost … here are added processes, fees and the increased cost of recruitment, training and development that restaurateurs face as they battle an ongoing skills shortage.”
If you are looking for an expensive night out in Sydney, Oncore by Clare Smyth at Crown will set you back $935; Quay will cost $781and Matt Moran’s Aria is $715. Tetsuya’s will cost a minimum of $792.
In Brisbane, Calile Hotel’s new Sushi Room will set two people back a minimum $891.
Adelaide’s Botanic is cheap in comparison at $295 per head unless you opt for the nation’s most expensive wine pairing, at $800. You can go one step further and take the $2464 including a cocktail and 10 per cent tip.
Perth is reasonable in comparison. The Wildflower in the Como Hotel will cost up to $550 with a nice Riesling, while Crown’s Nobu comes in at $637. Tasmania’s Van Bone is $583.
Fine dining may soon no longer be an affordable luxury.
Irit Jackson, 16th August 2022
