I once lived in a place with a population of somewhere near 30,000 people and 10,000 chain restaurants. Eating was convenient, reliable, and plastic.
I do not miss those days and I do not miss Appleby’s.
What I do miss is disposable income. Upcoming opportunities have inspired us to put the clamps down on the budget, which would normally put the clamps down on adventurous eating, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Lunch crowds, corporate reps talking shop over salads, fill booths around the windows. I take my date upstairs to sit in the hanging baskets on the inside balcony, it’s too hot to sit outside.
As we scan the menu we skip the apps, ignore multiple entrees, and focus mostly on the column to the right. Ordering in such a fashion will likely force us to miss whatever dish the house does best, but if you choose the right house, things will work out just fine.
Why go “nice” while spending less, which means eating less, when Chili’s exists? Because any wise investor will tell you that it is not how much money you put in, but where you put it, that matters most. Perhaps these ventures are not investments in meals but something more important.
Creme brulee and steak are nice, but time with her in a place we like, is better.
Brohammas 
Great article. I have to admit, I never thought of it like this. This also reminds me, even though I was just married 6 days ago, I need to take the Mrs. on a nice date.
We love Continental and had dinner there New Years day!