The Most Expensive Dining Experience in the US

New York restaurant Masa takes top position as the most expensive dining experience in the United States as according to the newly compiled Forbes list. The restaurant located at the Time Warner Center will empty your pockets by meals end as much as $1000 comfortably. The norm is that you can expect a $400 a person policy if you had to budget in advance this is good to know lets say for the 30-course Omakase menu. However, that doesn't include tax, tip or one of their ultimate sakes just in case you were wondering. According to the most recent Zagat Survey of America's Top Restaurants, New York City hands down takes front lead as the most costly U.S. city in which to dine out, with an average tab of $39.46. Zagat's national average is $33.29. New Orleans ($26.18) and Austin ($25.30) are voted the least expensive cities. Of course, U.S. restaurants cost roughly half the price in comparison to cities such as London ($79.46), Paris ($74.24) and Tokyo ($69.58).

Restaurant critic for The Seattle Times, Nancy Leson for her husband’s birthday dined at the number three most expensive restaurant on the list called Canlis, Seattle. She said of the dining ultimate experience she foot the bill for herself, “it was worth every penny of it.” Canlis is the city's most expensive a la carte restaurant around. A meal at Canlis is more exquisite in comparison as the restaurant that has been in existence for nearly 60 years ago. It is also accredited for defining if not “birthing” Pacific Northwest cuisine. Meals there will set you back approximately $75 a person. This is approximated without adding the great Willamette Valley wine to the order. The survey found surprisingly that some of the most expensive restaurants also happen to be the some of the oldest restaurant established. Restaurants like Canlis or Antoine's in New Orleans first opened their doors an astounding 160 years ago.

Other most expensive restaurants to make the list included for their luxury laid back atmosphere are Joel Robuchon at the Mansion in Las Vegas, The French Laundry and The French Room at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. At Masa and Urasawa, wearing comfortable clothing is advisable as meals tend to span over several hours. So, diners who are willing and able to afford anyone of the restaurants on this list enjoy. For the rest of us be prepared to pay premium prices for praiseworthy ingredients. According to the Zagat Survey, 55% of diners polled said they'd happily pay more for a meal that was, in fact, sustainable and/or organic.

Top Five Priciest Restaurants
Masa, New York City
Alinea, Chicago
Canlis, Seattle
Joel Robuchon at the Mansion, Las Vegas
Urasawa, Los Angeles

London's Most Expensive Flats

London is one of the most expensive places in the world to live and the real estate market is every bit the priciest to make you quake just a little in your shoes no matter your financial status. While America is taking a heck of a property market beating, London's super-prime property arenas of high-end and high-cost flats, is skyrocketing.

The leading culprits responsible for this rise and rise are wealthy bankers in London's financial district, old-money aristocrats, and every range of buyers in between. The ever expanding international buyer clientele are especially helping the astronomical increase in property prices. London's favorable tax system (foreign residents are taxed only on their overseas earnings); fashionable schools and good living are drawing them in from near and far.

With the beautiful array of flats, apartments, and pied-à-terre to choose from there appears to be a spoil for choice scenario going on. From jet-set lifestyle to the civilized and non-nomadic, London offers something for everyone to appreciate. "People like lateral living. It's more convenient, there's more use of space, you get a concierge, better security, underground parking," says Trevor Abrahmsohn, managing director of Glentree International, London-based estate agents.

The World's Most Expensive Perfumes

The world's most expensive has been revealed as the Imperial Majesty, which costs $215,000 a bottle. It is officially the most expensive perfume in the world. The Imperial Majesty, a limited edition of a Clive Christian signature scent, will be sold simply as No. 1; the fragrance priced at $2,150 an ounce. The world’s most expensive perfume costs so much according to Christian, a British designer-turned-perfumer, because the 16.9 ounces of No. 1 is poured into a Baccarat crystal bottle, stuck a five-carat diamond into the 18-carat gold collar. It was unrevealed at Harrods in London and Bergdorf Goodman in New York City this past holiday season.

Only three of the five bottles released for sale have been sold. The other two perfumes were kept for Christian's archives. Since 2005 over 500 other fragrances were launched, but none can beat out the new world's number one perfume. Statically, people are not buying more perfumes. However, they are prepared to spend more on perfumes they continue like best. According to The NPD Group, a Long Island-based market research company, the U.S. fragrance industry grossed $2.8 billion in sales in 2004, but last year the industry was up only 1% over the prior year.