A case can be made that fine dining is dying, which is arguably true, but fine dining is certainly not dead. The lines between “upscale casual” and fine dining have blurred. Diners aren’t as savvy and are therefore not as demanding about the extra lengths of service attributed to fine dining. There is an even greater reason that fine dining is dying. That reason is the 
restaurant’s bottom line. A fine dining operation is requires additional support staff and longer hours for training to adhere to standards of service. In theory, that cost would be offset by higher prices, right? Maybe, but there is a twist. What if a restaurant can charge fine dining prices without actually being fine dining. All the monetary benefit without the additional effort. Well, restaurants can and do charge fine dining prices in a upscale casual setting – and people pay them. This has reshaped the world of upscale dining.
Is Fine Dining Expensive?
Yes, but fine things are almost always expensive. A more appropriate question is:
Is fine dining worth it?
If you are already going to upscale casual restaurants, then you are likely paying fine dining prices. The next question becomes, do I want the most luxury for my money? I that is the case, then the marginal difference in cost, if any, to go to the best restaurants is clearly the better choice.
What is the future of fine dining?
There will always be a place for people that want to go to the best restaurant for a special occasion. There is also an incentive for restaurants in a certain niche to be better than their competition. As much as people are trying to radically redefine fine dining, there will always be consumer demand for a special restaurant that gives guests an experience. More upscale restaurants will downscale their standards, so long as diners let them get away with it. However, there will always be that high expectation crowd that can’t be fooled and as long as they are around so shall fine dining.