What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?
It happened last year, on my birthday. I had been scrolling through Instagram, looking at all these beautifully lit rooftop restaurants with fairy lights, cocktails that looked like art, and food served like it belonged in a gallery. I told myself, “Just once, I want to experience this.” So I made a reservation at a highly-rated rooftop restaurant in the city—one of those places where you don’t just eat; you “dine.”
I invited two close friends and decided I’d cover the whole bill as a treat to myself. We dressed up, arrived early, and were shown to a table near the edge of the rooftop, where the city lights sparkled beneath us. The view was breathtaking. Soft music played in the background, the air smelled of expensive perfume and grilled seafood, and the menu had words I had to Google under the table.
We ordered a three-course meal with drinks. The appetizers came first—tiny, artistic arrangements that looked too pretty to eat. Then came the main courses—mine was seared salmon with a lemon-dill cream, paired with something called truffle mashed potatoes (which were divine). And then, the dessert—a chocolate soufflé that melted into warm velvet the moment I took a bite. Every part of the meal felt delicate and intentional.
When the bill came, my heart skipped a beat. It was the most I had ever spent on a meal—enough to make me second-guess my decisions for a moment. But then I looked around. My friends were laughing, the view was perfect, and I felt genuinely celebrated. It wasn’t just about the food or the fancy place. It was about giving myself a moment where I felt valued, present, and joyful.
So, was it worth it?
Absolutely. I didn’t just buy a meal—I bought a memory. And that’s something I’ll always treasure.
The daily draft 