Power Spending

Britain\'s most decorated chef, Gordon Ramsey, is also picking up gongs in Dubai for his restaurant, Verre. But the winner of Time Out Dubai\'s Best Restaurant Award in 2006 and 2007 has cranked up his price by almost 25%, with a meal for two up to $272 from $218 based on Autumn season prices. (www.gordonramsey.com/dubai)

The 911 remains the default choice for anyone seeking an everyday sports car with supercar performance. The latest incarnation keeps the famous silhouette and the rear-engined layout but is a better drive than ever, according to Car Middle East magazine. The 2008 model available now costs $73,372, up less than a percent from the 2007 model, available in 2006 at $72,702. (www.porsche.com)

No self-respecting lady who lunches would be seen without a Cartier Tank Francaise on her wrist. The square face of the dial and roman numerals needs no introduction whether surrounded by gold, steel, diamonds or a simple leather wriststrap. Prices for the luxurious watch were up nearly 7 percent this year to $3,250 from $3,460. (www.cartier.com)

Paul Smith London is the designer\'s answer to business attire. The traditional tailored look is given the Paul Smith touch through subtle detailing and modern colour combinations. The price tag of the business suit was up 25 percent this year to $1,021 to $817. (www.paulsmith.co.uk)

The first class cabin on Emirates\' flight to New York has set a new standard for luxury in the air. Each first class passenger relaxes in a private \'suite\' with its own entertainment, work console and minibar. The leather flat bed reclining seat is best in class. Prices for a London-New York-London flight come in at $6,700, 3 percent down from last year at $6,907. (www.emirates.com)

What\'s the point of being rich if you can\'t hold back time and defy gravity? Plastic surgery is big business in the Gulf, but prices are soaring according to Dr. Jaffer Khan, a leading Dubai-based specialist. Price for a larger bust? In 2007, prices perked up to $5,858, over 10 percent higher than last year at $5,313. (www.plasticsurgery.ae)

Owning a home on The Palm Jumeirah, self-styled Eighth Wonder of the World, was always going to be expensive. A 7000 square foot Signature Villa (Frond F), Grand Courtyard Mediterranean style, sold by Dubai Property Centre would have cost $3.4 million if bought last year. Prices for luxurious living this year? Up nearly 93 percent to a cool island breeze of $6.553 million. (www.dubaipropertycentre.com)