Oh yeah, I forgot to say about the expensive jeans -- Gawker or someone had a bit when NYC got rid of the sales tax on clothes under $110, but they were like "Who buys jeans cheaper than $110?" Um. Me? Many many many people I know?

I have to call my thesis advisor, and I really don't want to! But I really really have to, because I told him I would. OK. Calling now.

But a sandwich like that is simply for the novelty of having expensive ingredients.

If the expensive ingredients are expensive because they taste better and are harder to obtain, and for some reason it's more expensive to prepare, is it just that you don't think people should bother eating something of that high a price (if it's a reflection of true cost)?

The julep sounds like pure margin, as does the sundae (though it looks like the sundae tastes really great). The sandwich less so.

Is your name secretly "Bob"?

I've answered to a lot of things, but not that.

The julep sounds like pure margin

Yeah, do things really taste better with Arctic ice?

Do you get to keep the cup and straw with the julep? I figured yes.

Thesis advisor was on the other line, probably with one of my classmates! As he said we should call before 2:30. Assistant suggested I try back in 15 minutes, which irks me.

Yeah, do things really taste better with Arctic ice?

Mmmmmmm. That's the expensive taste of walrus urine your paying for.

Yeah, do things really taste better with Arctic ice?

If you have to ask, you can't afford the answer.

Do you get to keep the cup and straw with the julep? I figured yes.

See, I figured no, and the same for the serving of the sundae. Even so, hella margin. Must be.

I didn't look up the sundae ingredients so I can't address that one. But there's an awful lot of margin in the sandwich, too. Japanese beef is expensive partially because of the overhead. Raising cattle takes land and that's in short supply in Japan. Yes, there's the massaging and the beer, but when you buy Japanese beef you are buying beef that by definition is going to be more expensive because it's raised on incredibly expensive land.

Chez Panisse serves amazing food. And you find no £85 sandwiches there. Although it's plenty expensive, it's mostly because the people who raise the food, transport the food, prepare the food, and serve the food are getting paid a decent wage. I don't know if the same can be said of the Selfridges chain-of-provenance.

Even so, hella margin. Must be.

Oh, totally.

With the $10K martini, you do get to keep the ice. [link]