Pay your share?

Many social events are centered around dining with friends. Groups of four, six and eight are not uncommon on a weekend night at a local fine restaurant.  In the group there may be a member or two who drink more than the average or order the most expensive items on the menu knowing that when the check arrives it will be evenly split among the group.

Is there a socially acceptable way to ask for separate checks or should you swallow hard and split the check?  How would you handle this situation?