THE PRICE HIKE

Alright Mom & Dad. It’s time to wake the neighbors and call the kids, because the big boys of New York cuisine are starting to raise their prices again. Restaurant Jean Georges has hiked its prix-fixe menu by $10 to $118, while Le Bernardin has instituted a series of smaller hikes across the board at dinner. 

Dinner for two at Jean Georges will now cost no less than $304 after tax and tip, but before wine. 

“The increase is mainly due to food inflation,” said a spokeswoman for Jean Georges, while adding that “we are still the lowest priced three star Michelin and four star New York Times prix-fixe in NYC.” 

Recall that the Central Park West restaurant hiked that same menu up from $98 in February; Jean Georges was New York’s last three-Michelin starred restaurant with a sub-$100 dinner menu. The $148 classic tasting menu was also hiked to $168 back in February, matching the price of the venue’s other seasonal tasting menu. Both of those tastings currently remain at $168. So we have a total $20 or 20% year-to-date hike for Jean Georges. 

Le Bernardin’s price hike is a bit more gentle, with the four-course menu at $127, up from $125. “The price increase is linked to the inflation that we are monitoring in between food, costs, energy costs, operating costs that include benefits, etc,” said Chef Eric Ripert in an email via a spokeswoman for the restaurant.  

Dinner for two at Le Bernardin will now cost no less than $327 after tax and tip but before wine. 

Recall that the three Michelin-starred seafood temple was charging $120 around this time last year, and $115 before closing for (much-needed) renovations. That’s all a modest 10% hike in a little over a year. Le Bernardin’s tasting menus also crept up a bit; the chef’s tasting is now $194 (up from $190) and the Le Bernardin tasting is now $147, up from $145. 

Are Le Bernardin and Jean Georges still a BUY at these new, higher prices? We’re inclined to say yes, but let us know what you think!