Jerry McCrea | For NJ Advance Media

By Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Ready to break the bank for some bites, New Jersey? While a standard meal out is nice, some occasions call for something decadent, delicious and expensive. Whether it's a birthday or a promotion, sometimes you have to go above and beyond.

The formula for determining the most expensive restaurants was simple. We found the average prices at every restaurant, and then found the total price for two apps, two entrees, two drinks and a dessert. If restaurants exclusively had prix fixe menus, we went with that.

So get your appetites, and your wallets ready, Garden State. Here are some of the most expensive restaurants New Jersey has to offer.

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27. Rat's Restaurant, Hamilton Township

I'm honestly not even sure what black garlic is, but it sounds incredible on a dry-aged sirloin. Bank account may be hurting, but your stomach will be pleased.

Most expensive appetizer: Five-piece artisanal cheese plate ($19)

Most expensive entrée: Dry-aged sirloin ($49)

Most expensive side dish: Roasted wild mushroom ($10)

Dinner for two: $109 without dessert

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26. Il Capriccio, Whippany

Decadent pasta dishes combined with a versatile selection of beef, pork and fish? Yes, please.

Most expensive appetizer: Gamberi e Funghi alla Griglia ($17)

Most expensive entrée: NY Strip Piemontese ($46)

Most expensive wine: 1988 Château Petrus Bourdexu ($2,100)

Dinner for two: $137

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25. Restaurant Seranade, Chatham

Order a la carte or chose from one of several tasting menu options, which are full of interesting seafood choices like a lobster chowder made with coconut and lemongrass.

Most expensive appetizer: Crab cake ($20)

Most expensive entrée: Roasted lamb rack or Roasted lobster (both $40)

Want a taste?: There is an $89 tasting menu offered, with an optional wine pairing for an extra 39 dollars. On Saturdays, there's a fixed price menu of $69 per person for three courses.

Dinner for two: $145

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24. Heirloom Kitchen, Old Bridge

A smaller menu, but every dish looks pretty incredible. This may also be the only restaurant on the list that serves kombucha.

Most expensive appetizer: Tuna crude nicoise ($18)

Most expensive entrée: Veal chop ($50)

Most expensive wine: Technically a BYO, but the restaurant also serves as a showroom for the boutique winery Dominico. The most expensive of their bottles, a pinot noir, is $36

Dinner for two: $146

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23. The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station

Stellar presentation and food that lives up to its visual hype make this one of West Jersey's top destinations.

Most expensive appetizer: Mushroom mezzaluna ($29)

Most expensive entree: Dry-aged Wagyu strip loin ($54)

Cheese please: Try three of their cheeses for 15 dollars, or all five for 21. A charcuterie board is also available for 19 dollars.

Dinner for two: $148

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22. The Saddle River Inn, Saddle River

You'll save a bit on booze at this charmingly rustic BYO that specializes in French-American cuisine — but otherwise food prices are steep.

Most expensive appetizer: Hudson Valley foie gras ($23)

Most expensive entrée: Maribar filet mignon ($45)

Dinner for two: $149 (but that doesn't include alcohol)

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21. Bernards Inn, Bernards

Lots of places have steaks and fish. How about foie gras french toast? Yep, they have that, too. Most decadent breakfast appetizer ever?

Most expensive appetizer: Foie gras French toast ($25)

Most expensive entrée: Cervena venison ($46)

Most expensive wine: 1982 Château Mouton Rothschild Premier Grand Cru Classé ($5,755)

Dinner for two: $150

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20. Raven & the Peach, Fair Haven

There are plenty of fancy restaurants down the shore, but this may be the fanciest. Its ambitious menu focuses on seafood, but their desserts are decadent as well. The gorgeous space is warmed up with live jazz on the weekend.

Most expensive appetizer: Pepper seared filet carpaccio ($17)

Most expensive entrée: 32 oz. porterhouse ($59)

Most expensive item to share: Shellfish share ($60)

Dinner for two: $153

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19. Agricola Eatery, Princeton

A farm-to-table restaurant that draws many of its ingredients from its own farm.

Most expensive appetizer: Shibumi Farms mushroom flatbread ($18)

Most expensive entrée: 16-oz. dry-aged bone-in ribeye steak ($48)

Most expensive wine: Marcassin 2012 chardonnay ($275)

Dinner for two: $154

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18. Ninety Acres, Peapack & Gladstone

Who doesn't love a 36 oz. ribeye as an appetizer? This spot has some crazy starters and even tastier entrees.

Most expensive appetizer: 36 oz. dry aged prime natural ribeye to share (98)

Most expensive entrée: Pan roasted halibut or imperial Wagyu top sirloin ($42)

Pre fixe prices: A three-course prix fixe menu is available for $75 per person, though teh entire table must participate.

Dinner for two: $154

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17. The River Palm Terrace, Edgewater, Fair Lawn and Mahwah

Steak and sushi is an original take on surf and turf. You can try that and other interesting combinations at one of this steakhouse's three locations.

Most expensive appetizer: Colossal crab meat cocktail ($18)

Most expensive entrée: Prime T-Bone steak ($47)

Most expensive wine: 2012 Hundred Acres Cabernate Sauvignon ($575)

Dinner for two: $161

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16. Stage Left Steak, New Brunswick

There's a diverse menu here, but the star of the show is undoubtedly the steak as the restaurant's name would suggest. You're gonna drop major cash, but you're going to get some serious quality cuts.

Most expensive appetizer: Chilled seafood salad ($39)

Most expensive entrée: Wagyu tasting with a lobster tail ($108)

Most expensive item to share: Tomahawk chop ($135)

Dinner for two: $161

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15. Roots Steakhouse, Summit, Morristown and Ridgewood

An impressive array of steak and seafood is only beat by its ridiculous wine list, which features choices in the thousand dollar range.

Most expensive appetizer: Chilled seafood and shellfish platter ($46.95)

Most expensive entrée: 20-oz prime cowboy steak ($49.95)

Most expensive wine: 2009 Vin Perdu Napa blend ($2,000)

Dinner for two: $162

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14. Highlawn Pavilion, West Orange

The only thing that beats the food here is the amazing view of New York City from Eagle Rock Reservation.

Most expensive appetizer: "Samples of the sea" (lobster, oysters, shrimp, crab leg) ($26)

Most expensive entrée: 16 oz. Fossil Farms Piedmontese Sirloin ($58)

No slumming it: Jackets are preferred for men, "but not required"

Dinner for two: $164

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13. Pluckemin Inn, Bedminster

A commitment to local and fresh ingredients along with Chef Andrew Lattanzio creativity make for a unique dining experience.

Most expensive appetizer: Miyazaki Beef Tartare ($22)

Most expensive entrée: New York strip steak ($48)

Most expensive wine: 2000 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet ($7,000)

Dinner for two: $171

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12. The Old Homestead, Atlantic City

You may be in Atlantic City, but this spot definitely isn't a gamble. Classic steakhouse fare done well, unique cocktails and a dessert called "drunken banana?" Done deal.

Most expensive appetizer: Jumbo lump crab cake ($26)

Most expensive entrée: Surf and turf ($102)

Most expensive wine: Chateau Petrus Bordeaux, 1998 ($30,000)

Dinner for two: $171

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Grilled Swordfish with fresh figs and asparagus risotto. Check out the all the dinner specials and feature wines we are running this weekend: http://www.lagriglia.com/ppgadmin/dinner_specials.pdf Posted by La Griglia Seafood Grill & Wine Bar on Friday, August 12, 2011

11. La Griglia Seafood Grill & Wine Bar, Kenilworth

Crazy seafood, quality vino and distinctive decor. You'll feel like you're eating in a wine cellar, in the best way possible.

Most expensive appetizer: Lobster cocktail ($24)

Most expensive entrée: Dover sole meuniere ($48)

Most expensive wine: 2007 Aleramici Brunello di Montalcino Riserva ($1,425)

Dinner for two: $175

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10. Brick Farm Tavern, Hopewell

Wild cocktails, exceptional cuts of meat and a beautiful rustic dining room make this Mercer County spot stand out.

Most expensive appetizer: Berkshire Pork Belly (16)

Most expensive entrée: Thistle Creek Devon beef ($38)

Most expensive cocktail: "Penicillin," Dewars single malt, ginger, honey and lemon ($15)

Dinner for two: $178

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9. Dino & Harry's, Hoboken

Hoboken is filled with great dining options, and this one has a number of steakhouse classic options as well as incredible pasta and fish dishes.

Most expensive appetizer: Grilled octopus ($22)

Most expensive entrée: 24oz. prime aged rib eye ($53)

Most expensive wine: Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($1,800)

Dinner for two: $179

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8. DePesca at Jockey Hollow, Morristown

You'll likely need to go prix fixe, as the a la carte menu is only offered a few times a week. But bite the bullet and gorge yourself on tuna, lobster and skate. You won't be sorry.

Most expensive appetizer: Local tuna tartare ($28)

Most expensive entrée: Butter-basted lobster ($44)

Prix Fixe party: There's a four-course prix fixe menu for $86 and a six-course chef's menu for $116 that jumps to $190 with wine pairings.

Dinner for two: $180

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7. Varka Estiatorio, Ramsey

Langoustines. They're like tiny lobsters. Never had 'em, but I want 'em. Any place that has a menu section titled "tipsy lobsters" is a must, regardless of the price.

Most expensive appetizer: Crab cakes or grilled octopus (both $28)

Most expensive entrée: Langoustines ($59/lb.)

Most expensive wine: 2008 or 2009 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($495)

Dinner for two: $190

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6. Bobby Flay Steak, Atlantic CIty

Your wallet may take a beating, but you'll get some gorgeous steak as well.

Most expensive appetizer: The AC chopped salad with lobster ($28)

Most expensive entrée: Blackened prime rib ($54)

Most expensive wine: 2013 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($4,000)

Dinner for two: $200

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5. Cafe Matisse, Rutherford

Another BYOB, though your savings will likely be offset by the very expensive fixed-price menu.

Fixed price menus: The restaurant offers only fixed price options, with three ($75), four ($95) or five ($115) courses.

Sample dishes: Parmesan panko pan-fried artichoke hearts; Hamachi crudo and thinly slice Cajun tuna; Lemon vanilla bean cheesecake

Dinner for two: $225 (but that doesn't include alcohol)

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4. Chez Catherine, Westfield

Brush up on your French before hitting this Union County haunt. The soufflé is worth the extra cash.

Fixed menu: You'll pay either $70 for three courses or $85 for four

Sample dishes: Terrine de Foie gras; "Noix de Saint Jacques" (sea scallops, pomegranate reduction, quinoa, baby bok choy); Espresso Créme Brûlée

Watch out for add-ons: Order the soufflé for dessert, and it will cost you another $5

Most expensive wine: 2002 Château Pétrus Bourdeaux ($3,000)

Dinner for two: $231

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3. Restaurant Nicholas, Red Bank

Fixed price menus: The restaurant offers only fixed-price options, with three or four course menus ($75) or a chef's tasting menu ($95).

Sample dishes: Citrus cured fluke, Butter poached Nova Scotia lobster, bourbon braised suckling pig, cookies and cream soufflé

Wine options: Nicholas wine selections are $50, while the cellar selections are $125.

Dinner for two: $250

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2. Elements, Princeton

Seafood is the star of the show here, including a sea urchin dish served with cured pork. Farmers cheese ice cream sounds unorthodox but is delicious.

Fixed price menus: The restaurant offers a four course menu ($85) on weeknights and a five course menu ($99) on Saturdays, as well as a chef's tasting menu ($129) and grand tasting menu ($185).

Sample dishes: Beef tartare with red quinoa, mandarainquat and turnip; Black cod with polenta, shellfish and radish; Surf clam with celery root, shallot and cured pork

Most expensive wine: 2009 Dominio Pingus tempranillo ($1760)

Dinner for two: $285

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1. Restaurant Latour, Hamburg

The most expensive restaurant for this list. But trust us, it's worth it. Just about every dish on this menu has us drooling. Yeah, 400 bucks is outlandish, but so is the food here.

Fixed price menus: You can choose between one of two fixed price menus: the five course ($115) or the chef's tasting menu ($145).

Sample dishes: The menu changes seasonally, but you might encounter: Black trumpet mushrooms, hamachi with sickle pear, muscovy duck and Hudson Valley rabbit

Most expensive wine: 1863 Latour Bourdeaux ($29,550)

Dinner for two: $372

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Also considered

There were several restaurants that we considered that didn't make the cut because they didn't meet our criteria or menu information was not available:

• Oceanaire, Hackensack

• Cafe 2825, Atlantic City

• Scalini Fedeli, Chatham

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Who'd we miss?

Did we miss your favorite expensive restaurant? Let us know where you like to drop cash for eats in the comment section.

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Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.