expensive

If you thought the Serpentine Goblets were pricey, then let me introduce you to the world's most expensive dessert: Frrrozen Haute Chocolate. Created by the folks at the Serendipity 3 restaurant in NY, the Frrrozen Haute Chocolate — which is an expensive version of their famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate — rings up at $25,000. Yes, that is a five figure price tag on a single dessert.

The dessert itself is a mix of cocoa and milk, frozen to a slush-like drink. Five grams of 24-carat gold is mixed in and then it's topped with more gold and garnished with a $250 chocolate truffle that is flown in from France.

The dessert has just gone on sale and actually needs a two week lead time (they also fly the gold in from Switzerland). So far they haven't sold any, but I'm sure that's just a matter of time.

Source

If you think wedding cakes are expensive, you should try comparing them to this Platinum Cake by Japanese pastry chef Nobue Ikara. Draped in platinum necklaces, pendants and pins, this white cake is worth over $130,000.

The cake itself is dedicated to several famous Japanese women, including actress Rinko Kikuchi (from Babel) and model Chie Kumasawa and was commissioned in order to entice women to buy more platinum jewelry.

Mikiko Ichikawa, of the Platinum Guild, said: "I think platinum and a white cake is the best possible combination as a present for women because both have the same colour of white, which is said to have pureness and brightness that lasts forever."

What do you think? Does it make you want to buy more platinum?

Source: Platinum Today via Luxist

I'm not totally sure that I would pay $14,500 for a full vacation, but I do know that I couldn't justify that amount on a single dessert. Granted the Fortress Aquamarine does come with an 80-carat aquamarine gem, but still... If however, you find yourself with nearly 15 grand to spare, you'll be able to purchase this extraordinary dessert at Wine3 at the Fortress in Sri Lanka.

If 15k is a little out of your price range, then perhaps the $1000 Brownie Extraordinaire from Atlantic City's Brûlée is more your style? These two desserts, along with eight others have made Forbes Traveler's list of the world's most expensive desserts. Personally I can't figure out why it would be worth it. However you know if I had that sort of cash to throw around, I'd definitely have to see what it was all about!

Source: Forbes Traveler via Splurch

I have a hard time conceiving of a meal that would cost £100,000 ($205,000), let alone a pot that costs that much. However, German cookware firm Fissler doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Their 11-inch pot is studded with 200 diamonds and has solid gold handles. Fissler is insisting that the $205,000 pot can be used like any other saucepan - only I don't see why you would. That would be like saying you could use a solid gold chain to lock up your bike. It would probably work, but why?!?

Source: Spluch

After the first two parts of my French Laundry excursion, I've arrived at the final installment: the cheese & dessert. I must say, although I was ridiculously full at this point, I somehow managed to make room - which actually came as no surprise. The night we were there, Thomas Keller was actually at a big Food & Wine event in Aspen. However the man pictured, Corey Lee, the chef de cuisine, really took care of us. The entire evening was a fantastic (if not overly hot and stuffy - it was 109F outside when we started our meal!) experience. To see how the number one restaurant in America does dessert read more

Yesterday I walked you through the first part of my extravagant time at the French Laundry, and while everything I posted was definitely tasty, you guys haven't even seen the meat of the story (bad pun intended). Today I'll take you from fish course to beef and all the lovely bits in-between.

After the foie gras, the next course was either Filet of American Red Snapper with Summer Squash, San Marzano Tomato "Fondue," Cuttlefish and Arugula-Castelvetrano Olive Pudding (shown right) or Spanish Mackerel "En Escabeche" with Hawaiian Hearts of Peach Palm, English Cucumbers, Cilantro Shoots, Haas Avocado "Coulis" and Rangpur Lime "Gastrique" (shown above). I ordered the snapper, while Jimmy ordered the mackerel. When our dishes arrived I was envious of his dish - the presentation was so gorgeous - however after tasting both of them, his fell a little flat and I was certain I picked the winning dish.

To see what's up next (and believe me, the best parts are next), read more

A little while back, I confessed to never having eaten at a single one of the 50 best restaurants in the world. Well, last week I finally fixed that by dining at Thomas Keller's number 4 ranked (number 1 in the US) The French Laundry of Yountville, CA (Napa wine country). The menu there consists of two options: the chef's tasting menu or the taste of vegetables menu, so unfortunately there's no popping in and ordering a la carte. In fact, there's no popping in of any sort - we had our reservations booked two months in advance, and even those were hard to come by. The meal itself is rather pricey, but I felt worth it for the food, atmosphere service and experience. It's not something I could see myself doing often, mostly for financial reasons. When I told everyone that I went, the first question was, "was it worth it?" followed shortly by, "what did you eat?" To find out the answers and see a parade of delectable pictures, read more

Extreme eaters mark your calendars. And well actually, by extreme I mean people who want to/can afford to spend a lot of money on food. And by a lot of money I mean a LOT of money. Remember how I told you about the $25,000 dinner in Thailand? Well on December 12, 2008 (that's over a year away, you can start saving now), master 3-star Michelin chefs from around the globe will head to the ancient pyramids in Egypt to cook a dinner for over 500 diners. But hey, compared to Thailand, this is going to be a bargain. The price isn't confirmed, but organizers say it will cost less than $10,000 per person.

A kitchen, half a mile long, will be set up with the pyramids in the background. Also, unlike the Thailand meal that was mostly French cuisine, this time the menu will be "culturally diverse and paired with fine wines from around the world."

How close to the pyramids is also yet to be decided, it depends on the Egyptian government and UNESCO (the pyramids, after all, are a World Heritage site). Some of the profits from the meal may be given to charity (my theory is that is probably the only way they will be able to get close enough).

I don't know what you guys think, but it sounds horribly tacky and horribly AWESOME. So hey, like I said, it's at a bargain price and is over a year away. Start saving now and I'm sure you'll have enough, right?!?

Source: Contra Costa Times

First of all, if I was awesome, this post would have been called "One Night in Bangkok," but sadly someone else already used it. Since I'm not that awesome, I'm going to just cut to the chase. This past Saturday night 40-some high-rolling diners headed to Bangkok, Thailand for a 10-course, $25,000 meal.

Yes, I said $25,000. Per person.

To learn what would make a meal worth $25,000, read more