I don't think it's exactly about letting people order Veblen Goods, but I do agree that it is about signaling class.
The .99 pricing thing is associated with "trying to make it look cheaper", so a restaurant that puts round prices is trying to send the opposite message: we're not cheap, you're not cheap, we won't try to fool you.
The .99 pricing thing is associated with "trying to make it look cheaper", so a restaurant that puts round prices is trying to send the opposite message: we're not cheap, you're not cheap, we won't try to fool you.