Pricey Meal, but Not Alarmingly So

Even though it was one of the most expensive dinners in town, guests had serve themselves, and one of them got stuck with washing the dishes afterward.

Six people paid several hundred dollars apiece to dine at Fire Station No. 2 on Tuesday. The dinners were donated by Newport Beach firefighters and were sold at a recent silent auction to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

Firefighters agreed not to disclose how much the high bidders paid for dining privileges, but similar occasions in the past have brought in $600 to $800 a plate, Fire Capt. Randy Shearer said.

The pricey dining did not include luxuries. For example, if there had been a call in the middle of the meal, the firefighters would have expected the guests to come along on the ride.

Guests also served themselves, and, as is the custom at the fire station, the meal was followed by a game of cards to determine who washed up.

Shearer said the attraction, besides helping a charity, is the chance to spend an evening with firefighters, see how they work and have the chance to go out on a call with them.

“You could never call up here and get a reservation to spend the evening with us,” he said.