Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I could take my family on a driving distance vacation for $2000. One meal? No thanks.

My neighbor is in alcohol sales and says his company recently laid off a bunch of people because sales have been trending steadily down since covid. So there's a data point.

I think I recall a recent news article about younger people not drinking alcohol as much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m doing dry January and typically am in the habit of ordering 2-4 cocktails at a dinner out. I live in NYC so that adds about $75-100 to the bill once you include tax and tip. It’s been easier than expected to stop that, and I think I am going to try to continue (or just stick to 1) after this month.

That said, I am assuredly not cheap but still never order nonalcoholic drinks/lemonades/sodas with any kind of meal. It’s a combination of (1) I don’t think the calories are worth it if it’s not alcohol, and (2) I’m not paying $6 for a lemonade or $15 for a mocktail. I’ve never been in the habit of having sugary drinks with a meal.

And you think 4 cocktails are worth it? That adds up fast.

Anonymous wrote:I’m on the west coast. I will continue to visit Mexican and Asian restaurants. The food is really good and I can’t make it at home.

I will NOT go to steakhouses, Italian restaurants, “American” restaurants or chains. Absolutely no fast casual.

Anonymous wrote:I’m doing dry January and typically am in the habit of ordering 2-4 cocktails at a dinner out. I live in NYC so that adds about $75-100 to the bill once you include tax and tip. It’s been easier than expected to stop that, and I think I am going to try to continue (or just stick to 1) after this month.

That said, I am assuredly not cheap but still never order nonalcoholic drinks/lemonades/sodas with any kind of meal. It’s a combination of (1) I don’t think the calories are worth it if it’s not alcohol, and (2) I’m not paying $6 for a lemonade or $15 for a mocktail. I’ve never been in the habit of having sugary drinks with a meal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As food prices soar and will most likely do so given the impact that policies will soon deeply harm the immigrant community, what is no longer worth it when it comes to dining out or picking up food?

1) Chinese food (at least in my area); quality has been on the decline for years, but last night was the final straw at what used to be our semi-decent local place. The Crab Rangoon was cloyingly sweet on the inside, to the point of being inedible. The noodle dishes and meat dishes alike were greasier than usual, and the quality of meat was sub-par. The dumplings are super thin and don’t hold their shape; I love thick dumplings. Just not worth it anymore, unfortunately, though maybe I can find better Chinese food when visiting friends or traveling. I do love it every now and then!

2) Fast food or quick serve drinks of any sort. We’re going to stick with waters or drinks we bring on road trips, or drink iced tea, soda or alcoholic beverages at home when we bring food home. No alcoholic beverages or lemonades or anything at sit-down meals, unless it’s a very nice restaurant for a special night out; no drinks with casual dining.

What habits have you changed? What’s not worth it to you anymore?

WTF? Food prices have soared the last four years due to Biden. How do you not understand this?

Apparently as easily as you do not understand how ignorant you are.

They soared all.over the world.

A few things are worth it to me anymore:

1. Hershey's chocolate. It tastes like they have changed the recipe and it's cloying sweet now.

2. Any preprocessed snack food: I'm not paying that much for bags of potato chips and popcorn or most any chips. We've also stopped buying any soda. It used to be a special treat but that isn't even worth it anymore.

Anonymous wrote:I could take my family on a driving distance vacation for $2000. One meal? No thanks.

My neighbor is in alcohol sales and says his company recently laid off a bunch of people because sales have been trending steadily down since covid. So there's a data point.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is just an echo chamber for shameless misers. Avoiding beverages, apps, and desserts at restaurants is embarrassing. Why bother going out at all? Stay home if you're so broke a $3 soda or sparkling water triggers you.

I would also agree with this. We have been known to easily drop 2k on a meal.

I don't think any meal in DC is worth $2000. I'd rather take that $2000 and fly to Tokyo and use the change to have a proper good meal. You can eat very well for very cheap in Tokyo. DC has become a terrible food town. Save your money and travel elsewhere for the good meals.

This, or fly to California or New York or anywhere in France. Germany has better quality and tasting food Sodexo crap all over the city What restaurant in DC is worth $2k? Not to mention who routinely drops $2k on dinner, that’s just stupid.

Regardless of the quality/lack of quality, dropping $2000 on a dinner is nuts. Even if money isn't an object, it's just gross.

It probably includes some expensive wines with high mark ups.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is just an echo chamber for shameless misers. Avoiding beverages, apps, and desserts at restaurants is embarrassing. Why bother going out at all? Stay home if you're so broke a $3 soda or sparkling water triggers you.

Oh good! Another "just stay home" poster! You want me, the MC nurse, to stay home (unless it's my birthday) because I don't want or need a $12 bespoke cookie or a 2-scallop app for $20.

I should have mentioned, I tip generously. I'm not a PITA and ask for nothing of the wait staff. I don't bring a 2 yr old who throws crumbs all over the floor.

You're a server, aren't you? or you partner is? These are the people who are "triggered" when people like me take up space in their section but keep the tab pretty low. Too bad. Your boss says I get to be there and you still have to serve me.

Lol you both sound insufferable.

Who cares about your profession? Or your income level?

I agree in principle with PP but now the heroic harping on "I'm a nurse" is a bit much as is the quick anger. Makes me wonder what this nurse's patients would say about their service...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As food prices soar and will most likely do so given the impact that policies will soon deeply harm the immigrant community, what is no longer worth it when it comes to dining out or picking up food?

1) Chinese food (at least in my area); quality has been on the decline for years, but last night was the final straw at what used to be our semi-decent local place. The Crab Rangoon was cloyingly sweet on the inside, to the point of being inedible. The noodle dishes and meat dishes alike were greasier than usual, and the quality of meat was sub-par. The dumplings are super thin and don’t hold their shape; I love thick dumplings. Just not worth it anymore, unfortunately, though maybe I can find better Chinese food when visiting friends or traveling. I do love it every now and then!

2) Fast food or quick serve drinks of any sort. We’re going to stick with waters or drinks we bring on road trips, or drink iced tea, soda or alcoholic beverages at home when we bring food home. No alcoholic beverages or lemonades or anything at sit-down meals, unless it’s a very nice restaurant for a special night out; no drinks with casual dining.

What habits have you changed? What’s not worth it to you anymore?

WTF? Food prices have soared the last four years due to Biden. How do you not understand this?

Apparently as easily as you do not understand how ignorant you are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is just an echo chamber for shameless misers. Avoiding beverages, apps, and desserts at restaurants is embarrassing. Why bother going out at all? Stay home if you're so broke a $3 soda or sparkling water triggers you.

I would also agree with this. We have been known to easily drop 2k on a meal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As food prices soar and will most likely do so given the impact that policies will soon deeply harm the immigrant community, what is no longer worth it when it comes to dining out or picking up food?

1) Chinese food (at least in my area); quality has been on the decline for years, but last night was the final straw at what used to be our semi-decent local place. The Crab Rangoon was cloyingly sweet on the inside, to the point of being inedible. The noodle dishes and meat dishes alike were greasier than usual, and the quality of meat was sub-par. The dumplings are super thin and don’t hold their shape; I love thick dumplings. Just not worth it anymore, unfortunately, though maybe I can find better Chinese food when visiting friends or traveling. I do love it every now and then!

2) Fast food or quick serve drinks of any sort. We’re going to stick with waters or drinks we bring on road trips, or drink iced tea, soda or alcoholic beverages at home when we bring food home. No alcoholic beverages or lemonades or anything at sit-down meals, unless it’s a very nice restaurant for a special night out; no drinks with casual dining.

What habits have you changed? What’s not worth it to you anymore?

WTF? Food prices have soared the last four years due to Biden. How do you not understand this?