Rich Diets

Prices at high-end restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area are soaring; theyre now second only to New York among 40 major U.S. markets surveyed by Zagat guides.

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Average meal cost at the 20 most expensive restaurants*

1. New York City: $76.73

2. San Francisco Bay: $66.53

3. Chicago: $64.87

4. Washington, D.C.: $58.13

5. Philadelphia: $57.81

6. Los Angeles: $54.76

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Percent increase since 1997

1. San Francisco Bay: 35.3

2. Chicago: 21.3

3. Los Angeles: 17.9

4. New York City: 17.9

5. Washington, D.C.: 14.7

6. Philadelphia: 14.0

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*Note: Price covers one dinner with one drink and tip.

Source: Zagat Survey