Across the country, diners were drawn to classic cocktails, ritzy settings, and experiences that felt like money. The 2022 vibe was posh party time. The caviar bump, a messy nod to extravagance and party-drug use, trended hard. Caviar also made its way onto dishes, for diners who didn’t want to lick it off their own skin. There was plenty of fancy meringue and rich, indulgent gelato served in crystal goblets. There was uni, bone marrow, crudo, and tartare. And yes, we can’t forget truffles. Caviar bumps, truffles, uni? This is stuff most of us wouldn’t make for ourselves without a seriously special occasion at home. These ingredients are either extravagant, expensive, or more likely, both. But sipping a martini and cracking the top of a creme brulee with a golden spoon is fun. It feels like a treat, and who are we to deny ourselves that, especially now? Maybe this is as close to the democratization of joy as we could get in 2022. Fancy didn’t mean dull. It meant everything. Tap the link in our bio to read more. ✍️: Jaya Saxena (@jayasax) 🎨: Marylu Herrera