Koolau
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
I can see 35 to 40K a year in spending in those categories, as that is what we have budgeted (although we don't follow it). It is down during COVID-19 as it is tougher to spend that much eating out, and pricey fine dining loses quite a bit as takeout. (Although I was dining last week at a high well known steakhouse and was surprised at the number of Uber Eats/Door Dash orders being picked up). We actually don't eat big steaks or multi-star Michelin food that often (spouse is a vegetarian), and prefer a Bib Gourmand over a formal tasting menu at a **/***.
In Northern California, the level of food quality and cooking execution at good restaurants is very high. Even with purchased food, I have no lack of access to nice items, and this immediate gratification is bad for any budget. Even my corner grocer (not a supermarket) has a large selection of imported cheese and food stuffs (caviar, truffles, Iberico ham), specialty butcher counter (prime and uncommon meats), their own dedicated farm and baker. There are two even larger sized ones within 2 miles, plus all sorts of dedicated specialty shops, bakeries and fishmongers (who wholesale to the region's seafood restaurants).
And yet, we are still somewhat frugal. Not an unlimited wine budget, and I balk at certain prices. Perhaps I will get over this, like some of you have.
My tastes are not sophisticated enough to even consider purchasing most expensive foods. Then, the frugality that's been instilled in me from childhood would also interfere with any real increases in quality/price of foods.
I can afford fine dining, but never participate. I could buy whatever I desire at virtually any food store. Somehow, it simply does not occur to do so. I guess I'm hopelessly (still) stuck in pre-FIRE even though I've been FIRE'd for 16 years. YMMV