I Tried Wagyu Steak ($20 Per Bite) For The First Time & Now I Get the Hype

When I was a child, my parents had to bribe me to eat meat. An aspiring vegetarian in a meat-and-potatoes household, I earned a quarter each time I took a bite instead of hiding it under the mashed potatoes. Fast-forward a few decades and I am now a person who has just paid the equivalent of $20 for a single bite of nutrient-rich beef.

Let's clarify that. I'm talking about "snow beef," a specific kind of Japanese Wagyu, the meltingly tender, buttery steak that is as highly sought-after as it is highly expensive. And it is not hyperbole to say I'll never forget it.

My husband and I were dining at Hiroki-San, an exclusive Japanese restaurant located inside Detroit's historic Book Tower building. It was a very special occasion, and I was looking to celebrate in style. Some people buy tickets to "Hamilton" or designer handbags. Me? I splurge on food. 

Perusing the menu...