I've no idea. My main argument is, that many landlords, pub chains etc. try to extract as much money as possible from customers, by dressing up the humble cod and chips, to ridiculous levels, indicating that they are getting more for their money, than they actually are.
The final four words of your post says it all, it's all about extracting the last possible penny from the customer.
Have l become cynical? or was it always like that?
Ridiculous, the dishes you mention may be great for a fine dining restaurant, but not a pub! What's wrong with traditional pub classics like sausage & mash, liver & bacon?, steak & kidney pussing?, cod & chips, etc. etc?
I guess the owners just feel that they can charge more for these...