Please excuse my picking up on just one thought from your post:
I know of no quality restaurant that serves large portions. None, zero, zilch.
I know of some fine eating places that serve Chinese dishes and usually there is more than you can eat in one hour or so. My memory is not so great these days, but going way back I think most Chinese type places have been like that, if it is a group meal arrangement.
Actually, I think I remember that we had some sort of Brit Day thing at the New Sanno Hotel once a month and they had some sort of buffet thing and the food was very plentiful. RBL sponsored event, I think I'm remembering.
We've had VFW events where the food was way too much.
I go to a Matsuya (very rarely these days) - super discount style - rice dishes and those bowls are mighty full of rice and beef/pork and onions. Mighty full is that bowl of food.
But I don't eat out much.
In fact, just thinking about this; at the McDonald's place I only like their little hamburger, because it is easy to eat. Those giant hamburgers are way too difficult to eat without all sorts of stuff falling out between the bread. There's a special sandwich shop by the big train station a bit away from here that has some monster sandwiches. Not bad, as far as taste goes, but have to bring them home so folks don't see me spilling the insides all over the plate. And awfully expensive. Darn McDonald's has gotten expensive, too.
As I think about your post, I am thinking that large portions served at a number of eating places isn't that unusual. But I don't get out-and-about too much anymore.
One thing many affluent societies have gotten into, wasting food.
