This is a bit of old news, but this blog did not exist at the time we went so I did want to add this in for posterity. We made a pilgrimage to Alinea in Chicago for my 40th birthday. It was a completely sublime experience in molecular gastronomy. We did the complete menu with wine pairings. Length of Dinner: 5 hours. When we left at about 11:30 the place was still completely full. Bill total for each couple: $910.72
–3 Foodie and one Foodie in training contributed to comments. Food-Tographers documented each dish. Wine pairings were excellent, select comments included with certain courses see link on Flickr for shots and comments on each dish: www.flickr.com/gp/70794453@N00/15V5X8
TheFoodieTraveler 
We just watched the rundown of this place on Food TV and were thinking of you guys. I’m exhausted watching him and reading your blog on the experience. And the $910 made me pass out.
Heh. You only turn 40 once. It was that or skydive, and I have bad ankles. 😉