I've had plenty of expensive, gourmet dinners in my life, but none more so than Charlie Palmer Steak at the Four Seasons in Las Vegas. Good grief was this place overpriced!\n\nI recall having a 7- or 8-course prix fixe dinner at Valentino in Santa Monica that, after tax and tip, cost something like $230 for two people. That was a memorable experience, and one that I will talk about and cherish forever.\n\nBut with this restaurant, you spend that amount (or, in our case, more: a new record of $250 for two people!) to get a 3- or 4-course dinner that meets expectations but does not surpass them in any way. To use a sports analogy, Charlie Palmer finishes the golf course at par, when you really hoped it would sink a hole in one somewhere along the way.\n\nThe starter? Good.\nThe steak? Good.\nThe cocktail? Good.\nThe dessert? Good.\n\nBut nothing was great or mind-blowing or made you close your eyes and just go, \"Mmm... delicious.\" The decor was basic -- it felt like I was in a hotel, when I really wanted to be transported to another world and forget where I was.\n\nAnd I couldn't believe how lax they were with the dress code. My friend and I showed up in our best, and were dismayed to see couples walk in where the guy wasn't wearing a tie or had his shirt untucked or was wearing jeans or, in one case, khaki shorts! I feel these people should be turned away at the door -- it definitely makes the place feel less classy.\n\nWould I eat there again? No. That doesn't mean it's bad -- not at all. It's just, for me, not worth the price. I'd rather have something that leaves a bigger impression on my senses than on my wallet.
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