Is anyone else over really expensive eating out?

[Anonymous]

I kind of feel like I've outgrown fine dining.

100% agree with this. I used to LOVE to go out for a big blow-out swanky dinner. But now, I rarely feel like the meals served are worth the trouble of a reservation plus the $300 that spouse and I would spend on it. I used to enjoy a craft cocktail. Those are running $18- $25. If spouse and I have 2 drinks each, that's ~$100. It's preposterous. I'm a pretty good cook, and making a delicious cocktail is really very easy with the right ingredients. Spouse and I have what I like to call bougie cheap-o date night - we make cocktails and serve them with really great cheeses, cured meats, olives, breads/nuts/fruit, sometimes even caviar. Grill up some dry-aged steaks or whole fish. Served with a salad to keep simple. Fantastic meal for a fraction of what a middling "new american" dinner would cost.