I live in Florida. In an area where an expensive meal with wine averages about 50.00 a person.
I don't mind spending money on a very good meal but nothing torques me more than an overpriced meal. You know the $10.00 burger or the $20.00 chicken ala taste of hotel banquet.
As for the author's parents I bet to them a fancy restaurant was Howard Johnsons and a deluxe seafood dinner was the all you can eat clam strips.
I agree wholeheartedly. My husband and I have had the unpleasant experience many times. They'll charge you $20. for a little piece of chicken on some escarole with a couple of pretty radishes or something; maybe some goat cheese thrown in. People pay it because they feel trendy. The $50 sounds about right. We went to a place not to long ago and had wonderful meals, wine, and dessert - cost was about $115 for the two of us.
These days, that's become the all you can eat snow crab legs on Fridays at the local Chinese buffet.