What Makes Alinea The Most Expensive Restaurant In Illinois?

Being somewhat of a "Foodie," I spend a decent amount of time scrolling through some of my favorite food and restaurant websites if for no other reason than to look at some incredible offerings that I'm probably never going to be able to afford.

I'm sure I'm not alone in enjoying a look at foods and restaurants that are out of my league, because we all do it with something--food, cars, houses, jewelry, clothing. It's fun to live vicariously, right? The reason the show "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" was so popular is that no one wanted to watch "Lifestyles of the Unknown People Who Are Strapped For Cash."

So, let's do some vicarious living and take a look at the most expensive restaurants here in Illinois, in Wisconsin, and in our neighboring states.

Getty Images

While We're At It, If You'd Like To Dine At The Most Expensive Restaurant In The Entire World, You'll Need A Plane Ticket To Spain

More specifically, you'll need to fly into Ibiza, Spain. That's where you'll find the world's most expensive restaurant, a place called Sublimotion.

There's a big difference between "going out for a bite," and indulging in a full dining experience, and a visit to Sublimotion should make the difference very clear. First off, dinner is going to cost you just about $2,500 per person.

PrestigeOnline.com:

During the meal, a team of 25 will present and guide you through a 20-course menu that unfolds over three enchanting hours. Each dish is a work of art, but the experience doesn’t end with the culinary delights. As you savour each course, you’ll find yourself immersed in a sensory wonderland. Laser light shows dance around you, virtual reality elements transport you to new dimensions, and projection mapping adds an ethereal touch to the ambience.

That should cover about half of your bill, sir. (Getty Images)

Since Most Of Us Simply Don't Have The Time To Fly To Ibiza For Dinner, Let's Keep It Closer To Home With Illinois' Most Expensive Restaurant

That title goes to a place located at 1723 North Halsted Street in Chicago, and it's called Alinea.

You kind of get the idea the place is pricey (but completely awesome) by reading this from their website:

Alinea has been universally praised for its innovative approach to modernist cuisine. It has been named the Best Restaurant in the World by Elite Traveler, the Best Restaurant in North America by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and the Best Restaurant in the U.S. by Gourmet and Business Insider. It is one of only 14 restaurants in the U.S. to hold the coveted Michelin 3-Star rating. It has also won James Beard Awards for Outstanding Restaurant in the U.S., Outstanding Service in the U.S., and Outstanding Chef in the U.S.

How much will dinner at Alinea set you back? According to LoveFood.com:

A meal here is as much about the food as the overall experience, but prepare to pay handsomely for the pleasure, as your multi-course meal could cost as much as $500 a head.

Getty Images