El Bulli is not actually that expensive for the meal itself ($250/person?), but it's impossible to get a reservation. Since they announced they will be closing and turning into a cooking school in 2012, it's basically impossible to get a reservation unless you Know Someone. Steve Jobs can get a table as a walk in, probably, but your average $10-50mm exit startup founder cannot.

From Wikipedia: "It accommodates only 8,000 diners a season, but gets more than two million requests."

It's also claimed that the restaurant loses money, so why not raise prices??

El Bulli is closed after this season. It books up a year in advance. It does indeed lose money, but it's a loss-leader for a larger Adria empire. Long story short, none of us are going to El Bulli.

Alinea surprisingly not that crazily-priced.

the tour + wine will easily run 500 a person, FWIW

Did it, with clients, my perception was about 200 less than that per person. Other restaurants, incl. some named here: much more expensive.

The wine selections, btw? Totally worth it. Made the meal. And I'm not a crazy wine person.

Are you sure you didn't have the tasting, rather than the tour?

If not, I'm confused, since the tour is $225, and then the wines are said to be nearly as much as the meal, so with tip, that would put it just about at $500 a person. Even with zero wine, it'd be $270 with service.

Also, I may spontaneously combust with envy.

I am 100% positive everyone had the tour. Dinner took SIX HOURS.

I am less positive about the pricing, but I remember a number that started with a "3", and I remember thinking "I am surprised that this is not the most expensive meal in Chicago". (I meant to communicate, "200 less than 500". Sorry!)

Don't be envious. Come work for us! We will take you to Alinea.