When Felix Salmon and Michelle Vaughan wrote about their evening at Chez Panisse the other week, it provoked a flood of comments (78 at the last count). One of the things that raised some eyebrows was the cost of the meal. How do you end up spending $350 for two on a prix fixe dinner that costs $75.

Well, all can now be revealed. First, Felix admits some sloppy recollection. The total came to $321, not $350. The Slovenian pinot, which brought out some very erudite comments, was $78. The champagne cocktails before the meal were $11.25 each. Add compulsory 17% service and tax and you reach the grand total.

Lance Knobel (Berkeleyside co-founder) has been a journalist for nearly 40 years. Much of his career was in business journalism. He was editor-in-chief of both Management Today, the leading business magazine...