When we moved from NYC to Durham 6.5 years ago we felt like all of the restaurants were on sale. It is now difficult even at a noodle bar or a more casual place to get out the door with maybe 1 appetizer shared. entrees, one drink each for 2 for under $100. When I visit NYC I feel like I’m on the moon, and I take photos for my husband like, “this falafel sandwich, $24 w/out drink!”
Great piece, Liz. It's the same situation in D.C. We effectively abandoned one of our favorite restaurants--which was always a bit of a splurge--after we ate there one September and returned less than a year later and prices had risen more than 50 percent. That said, paying workers a living wage--to the extent that that is in fact the case--is long overdue. As you rightly note.
Next up: figuring out why restaurants in Europe, where wages tend to be fairly progressive, are often so much cheaper. Had my best meal of the year in Paris, a 6-course tasting menu for 72 euro pp...
Every time I eat out, I leave the restaurant feeling hung over from the subpar food and the financial hit to my wallet. I always seem to regret my decision and pledge not to do it anymore. I moved to SLC Utah about 5 years ago, but I come from places with amazing food and culinary talent so I do expect a little more, at least in terms of quality and experience. The prices are so high it's insult to injury. I'm starting to cook at home more.
Prices in the Bay Area are very high - for cocktails and for food. We hardly ever eat out anymore. Ironically, it's way more affordable to dine out in France at a white tablecloth restaurant, where you can do two 3-course prix-fixe meals for adults plus an additional adult-sized entree for a child plus wine or cocktails for about 80 euros ($87), and no tip needed. I would argue that France has a fairly good living wage. London was also highly affordable compared to the U.S. for dining out.
It's a great question -- why meals out in Europe tend to be cheaper than in the US, despite very progressive wage policy. I'd like to look into this more (maybe for a future post?!) but my best guess is that it's driven by ingredients in these countries being far cheaper, due to subsidies. Stay tuned!
I would also consider the cost of any health insurance for restaurant employees in the US if provided. Europe provides healthcare for their population.
It’s partially product price volatility due to a lot of the US being reliant on imports, but the bigger piece I think is rent! Real estate prices haven’t only increased for housing.
This is true, partially. Though in a lot of cities the rents are a lot lower than they were pre-pandemic. I just spoke to a restaurateur in SF, who I'll be profiling in an upcoming story, who swears in SF it's really ALL labor costs. This is in part because of the very high (relatively) minimum wage and additional fees required by the city. More to come. So glad to have you as a reader!
When we moved from NYC to Durham 6.5 years ago we felt like all of the restaurants were on sale. It is now difficult even at a noodle bar or a more casual place to get out the door with maybe 1 appetizer shared. entrees, one drink each for 2 for under $100. When I visit NYC I feel like I’m on the moon, and I take photos for my husband like, “this falafel sandwich, $24 w/out drink!”
It's so true, and to add insult to injury, this whole discourse makes me feel like I'm 135 years old. "SIX DOLLARS FOR A COFFEE?" Ay yi yi...
Great piece, Liz. It's the same situation in D.C. We effectively abandoned one of our favorite restaurants--which was always a bit of a splurge--after we ate there one September and returned less than a year later and prices had risen more than 50 percent. That said, paying workers a living wage--to the extent that that is in fact the case--is long overdue. As you rightly note.
Next up: figuring out why restaurants in Europe, where wages tend to be fairly progressive, are often so much cheaper. Had my best meal of the year in Paris, a 6-course tasting menu for 72 euro pp...
Every time I eat out, I leave the restaurant feeling hung over from the subpar food and the financial hit to my wallet. I always seem to regret my decision and pledge not to do it anymore. I moved to SLC Utah about 5 years ago, but I come from places with amazing food and culinary talent so I do expect a little more, at least in terms of quality and experience. The prices are so high it's insult to injury. I'm starting to cook at home more.
Prices in the Bay Area are very high - for cocktails and for food. We hardly ever eat out anymore. Ironically, it's way more affordable to dine out in France at a white tablecloth restaurant, where you can do two 3-course prix-fixe meals for adults plus an additional adult-sized entree for a child plus wine or cocktails for about 80 euros ($87), and no tip needed. I would argue that France has a fairly good living wage. London was also highly affordable compared to the U.S. for dining out.
It's a great question -- why meals out in Europe tend to be cheaper than in the US, despite very progressive wage policy. I'd like to look into this more (maybe for a future post?!) but my best guess is that it's driven by ingredients in these countries being far cheaper, due to subsidies. Stay tuned!
I would also consider the cost of any health insurance for restaurant employees in the US if provided. Europe provides healthcare for their population.
It’s partially product price volatility due to a lot of the US being reliant on imports, but the bigger piece I think is rent! Real estate prices haven’t only increased for housing.
This is true, partially. Though in a lot of cities the rents are a lot lower than they were pre-pandemic. I just spoke to a restaurateur in SF, who I'll be profiling in an upcoming story, who swears in SF it's really ALL labor costs. This is in part because of the very high (relatively) minimum wage and additional fees required by the city. More to come. So glad to have you as a reader!