Restaurants in Europe, the United States and Japan are testing technology to let diners order their food direct from a screen at their table instead of depending on a fellow human being to note their choice - sometimes grumpily or erroneously.

Besides cutting costs, companies that sell the “e-menu” argue the bytes-for-bites approach has a novelty value that can lure younger customers, and boost revenues as tantalizing photographs of succulent steaks and gooey desserts tempt diners to order more.

High above the only casino in Sydney rises the Astral Restaurant and Bar offering views of the city and harbor and fantastic cuisine that will tempt your taste buds and tear your wallet apart.

With the most expensive menu available in Australia, the A$1,000 ($900 US) meal affords its participant multi-course waves of foie gras, king crab, caviar, abalone and morel along with a matching wine selection to round out the meal. Such wines included are a 2000 Jasper Hill, Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz from Heathcote and a 1999 J.J. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling from Mosel.