New dining trend? Pay for your dinner in advance

Well, really, it’s not such a new trend to ask restaurant customers to pay for their meals before they even sit down: All-you-can-eat restaurants such as Old Country Buffet, Golden Corral and Chinese buffets have required advance payment for years.

But it’s unusual for an upscale restaurant to ask patrons to fork over the dough before they even walk into the restaurant. Businessweek.com recently reported that Chicago restaurateur Nick Kokonas, who co-owns the successful Alinea restaurant with celebrity chef Grant Achatz, is unveiling a new venue, Next, in the Windy City this month. And the restaurant is opening with an unusual prix fixe dinner concept.