The most expensive restaurant tab I paid was $1,700.00 for 4 at The French Laundry in Yountville, California. My husband's relatives from England were visiting the U.S. for the first time, and I wondered if they would like to visit a very special restaurant during their visit. I suggested they look the restaurant up on the internet. It was a very enthusiastic yes! It required a reservation made one year in advance. The food bill was $350.00 per person. The champagne and wine menu was enormous and intimidating (in price!) with some wine bottles exceeding $2,000. To keep the bill from getting too far over my head, I asked my husband's relatives if it was okay if I ordered for everyone a glass of the French Laundry's house champagne to start, and a single glass of red or white wine during the entire 10 course meal. They graciously accepted this alcohol limitation. So the food bill was $1,400 and the alcohol bill was $300.
I felt lucky they appeared to understand.
Oh yes, the meal was a truly special experience.