Archive for January, 2007

• 1.14.07 "We always seem to want more" is posted in Reflections

I went to a lovely Restaurant Week dinner tonight at Taberna del Alabardero and it furthered something I’ve been thinking about for a while–I want a lot more or a lot better. And I’m not sure I like the trend.

More casual drinks. More accessories. More music. Better food. Better flight schedules. Better alcohol. Better neighborhoods. Better vacations. Finer clothing. Fancier cars. Faster internet. Bigger televisions.

With the exception of faster internet, I’m not convinced that I’m that much better off with these things. I think over time that it just makes more wants seem like needs. It’s like an addiction or a dulling of the senses…but I’ll get to that part later.

During restaurant week you get to have a really nice four-course meal at a fancy place for $30. It’s not a bad deal–at Taberna del Alaberdero, for instance, $30 is the price of their less expensive entrees. But the price came to about $60/person (for four) once a bottle of wine and a gratuity (20%) were added. Do I regret it? Heck no, their food was marvelous. But three years ago I wouldn’t have dared spend that much going out–or at least abstained from imbibing.

Half of those reading this are probably thinking “$60 for a good meal is totally worth it–I’ve spent much more!” and the other half are thinking, “$60 is enough for about 5 meals out at a regular place, or a week’s worth of food at home!” And I don’t know what to say; the concepts of “disposable income” and “enjoying yourself while you’re young” don’t seem to offer too much guidance on these sorts of issues…and there are lots of less expensive things that are plenty nice. (more…)