Food

The Most Expensive Meals in the World: Where does José’s Table at Minibar Rank?

The new tasting menu sure is pricey. Here’s how it compares to its counterparts around the globe.

Minibar: Now home to a $3,000 six-seat chef's table. Photograph by Scott Suchman

On Monday, José Andrés announced José’s Table, an even mini-er restaurant within mini restaurant Minibar. The chef’s table can be reserved for up to six people and costs $3,000 with tax, tip, and beverage pairings. So it’s at least $500 per person—pretty darn expensive.

But how does it stack up against the priciest tasting menus in the world? In April, Business Insider ranked the globe’s dearest feasts. The costliest, at $1,228 for two people, is Guy Savoy in Paris. The number two slot goes to Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, also in Paris, which charges $978 for two people, according to the list—that’s just slightly less than the new offering from Washington’s favorite Iberian empresario. A meal for two at José’s Table will cost anywhere between $1,000 or $3,000, depending on the size of your party. Of course, the fact that drink pairings at the new number two dinner are included—which they are not at many of the spots listed by BI—should be taken into consideration.

The 25-course menu at José’s Table will feature dishes such as salt-baked foie gras with a salad inspired by Seattle glass artist Dale Chihuly, roasted squab with truffles, and espardenyes—sea slugs—with snap peas and Ibérico ham. Other Minibar news: Johnny Spero, of the short-lived Suna, holds the title of executive sous chef, and there’s a new seasonal reservations system. To secure your Mini experience, e-mail the restaurant (reserve@minibarbyjoseandres.com) or call 202-638­-0202 with preferred dates and seating times (between 6 and 6:30 or 8:30 and 9). Currently, the restaurant is accepting reservation requests for September through February. In mid-February, it will start booking March through July. That leaves plenty of time to save up some C-notes.

You might also like: 

Inside Barmini

Most Overpriced Dishes in Washington

Minibar Review