Chicago’s Zagat survey is out. A stat I found interesting…
In line with the Consumer Price Index, the average cost of a meal in Chicago is up an annualized 3.3% since the last Zagat survey (from $31.64 to $33.75) and remains just above the national average of $32.21, but at the high-end, among the twenty most expensive Chicago restaurants, prices went up 6.75%.
Is this top toque hubris and an attempt to gouge unsuspecting foodies? Or is the world market price of black truffles, chanterelles, and liquid nitrogen outstripping the Consumer Price Index?
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I think it’s a direct reflection on the increasing quality of ingredients the top restaurants have to use to attract customers. For instance, the proliferation of midwest-raised free range/organic meats, and the high price of truffles, like you mentioned.
It’s competition at it’s best. In many cases, it’s worth it - one thing it’s hard to accuse restaurants of is price gauging. Too many places fail, and the risk of being outside of an acceptable quality-to-price ration in Chicago would result in failure for all but the most conceptual cheesy restaurants (ala SushiSamba Rio et al.).
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