Have you ever been to a Michelin star restaurant?

Haven't been yet but would love to. Enjoy dining out very much. Probably my favourite place so far as been Chameleon near Temple Bar, wonderful experience on top floor with the rijsttafel, sitting on cushions eating 7 mini courses.

Some people enjoy fine dining, some don't. Nothing worth fighting over. If it's lost on someone, there's no point trying to talk them into it, this can be said for anything people enjoy, be it sport, music, etc. For people who enjoy it, we know that food can be as much of an experience as going to theatre. I've had meals in places that have been memorable and still think of fondly.

MagicMarker wrote: »

Nope. The idea of parting with half a week's wages in a pretentious restaurant surrounded by pretentious people is about as appealing to me as a hole in the head.

I'm a simple person with simple tastes. Give me a burger and a cold beer and I'm as happy as a pig in shít.

Some are expensive, but not all, and you don't need to part with half a weeks wages to enjoy it either

ringadingding wrote: »

I'm actually trying to recall the last times I had snobby service, and no Michelin place is on that list.

Absolutely, you're treated very well in most decent restaurants, it would be such a turn-off for me to have that snobby atmosphere about. I really think that sort of thing is only in the heads of people who feel like they themselves are somehow out of place.

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

I would never go to Michelin star restaurant. I know its quality food. But seriously, paying so much money for such a little portion? No matter how good it tastes it isnt worth that.

A fool and his money I say. It's a different story if you are a millionaire. Of course you would be eating in the best of places then. But normal person and normal wages? :pac:

Really though you can replace this with any sort of interest. Going to a gig vs watching the live DVD, buying vinyl instead of MP3, etc. It's just a different experience to some people.

It's not supposed to be about the portion size. I had what you'd call a 'small' portion size eating in The Pig's Ear but still came out feeling satisfied, the food was to die for.

Wine license is soo much easier to get than a beer license

Cantremember wrote: »

You don't go to these sort of restaurants for a feed. **** off to supermacs for that. You go to appreciate the craft of cooking and the symphony of service, quality ingredients, superb cooking skills married to the best wine with the meal. It's an experience like a West End musical, El Classico or great opera. If you don't understand any of this **** off to supermacs.

Opera and classical music are financially affordable to all in this country. recitals in the John field room are exceptionally affordable to all for example.

The national concert hall has an audience of every social strata. They give educational workshops and concerts to state school children.

I play violin as a hobby and have played in amateur recitals.

There is a difference.

There are waiting lists and a context with some restaurants beyond art. There is a difference between art and business.

The Abbey is accessible to all.

The price of a restaurant would not be affected by a star if it were art and artist does what they do because of a burning desire to.

I don't claim to be a foodie but I know the difference between pretense and dedication to art form. Culinary arts should be appreciated but I don't know that is what Michelin star restaurants are always about.

Yes but to be honest I am not enough of a foodie to be able to distinguish the difference.

I have taken family members for birthdays etc. I took my ex to celebrate his birthday. He didn't like it.

My Dad has taken me to them.

As I understand it the stars are not just for the food but the service etc. I don't think it's worth it anymore.

Whether that is because I prefer museums galleries and music to a foodie gourmet experience or I have a good point I don't know.

I do know that my ex's father was a chef who thought most people who ate there and even cooked there did not have a clue what it was about.

Some people buy cd's of the three tenors or Russel Watson and some prefer Dietrich Fischer Deskau. It really does not matter it's your taste , so long as you know and appreciate the difference and you can only do that if you really love music.

I am not a restaurant lover. I would respect someone's efforts and art etc. But I suspect going to a restaurant with me is about as much fun as going to a ballet or dance class with someone who is not a ballet-mane.

You would think I would be I am a fussy eater! I would never be able to afford to go regularly. And that sense never appealed to me.

I wouldn't scoff at people who genuinely appreciated it. But I would scoff at people who felt it made them impressive people simply by going. Or to be honest I wouldn't bother with them.

If people go because they enjoy it and appreciate it good for them. If they do it as a sign of something else they have been conned.

Opera and music is generally affordable here for me. But if it wasn't I WOULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN!:P

Generally in Ireland people are not pretentious about this things I think. But I would not be able to go more than once or twice a year for an occasion and it would be more for the other people than me. I much prefer to spend time and money on the arts for myself each week or something.