I had the great pleasure of dining at a Michelin restaurant in Italy. We were given a menu, but only to describe the many courses that were to come. Each plate was exquisite-- a work of art, really, and the chef had teams of sous chefs working on every detail of every dish that came out of the kitchen. The service was, well, perfect.

But. My partner wasn't aware what the expense would be. When he saw it, carefully inscribed at the bottom of the menu (about $300 US per person) it was too late to walk out, as we'd ordered wine and our friends were thrilled and excited and couldn't wait for the orgasmic experience they believed was coming.

So I tried my best to enjoy each course, but couldn't, because I could feel the anger coming off my partner in waves, as he sat beside me, much too quiet, while the three of us talked about each dish (sometimes with the chef) with great interest.

With wine and so forth, the total bill was about $500 US per person. It would have been worth it if my partner hadn't been there! The poor man, he just couldn't help himself-- but he kept the very elegant tab in its white embossed folder, and drags it out occasionally to show what we wasted on a lunch.

Still, I would trade one meal like this for 5 or 10 merely decent dining experiences. Seriously, to be spoiled, eat the very best of the best, in a perfect atmosphere, at perfect pace, with perfect wine pairings, with perfect company... as the commercial says... Priceless.