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Are you looking for the ultimate dining-in experience? Have you had your fill of Michelin three-star restaurants, but your indulgent tastes are still crying out for more? You’ve come to the right place!
Here’s another important question for the purpose of this discussion: Is there anything more decadent than dining on 24-karat gold? With this in mind, we searched the globe for the most exquisite food items that use gold as an ingredient, and the results are equal parts delicious and opulent. If expense is no object, and your taste buds are craving something special, we urge you to dive right into any of these top-of-the-top-shelf dishes.
Gold-Wrapped Nigiri Roll by Chef Angelito Araneta Jr.
Angelito Araneta Jr.’s gold-wrapped nigiri roll
Sushi is one of the most beloved dishes in the world today, as it represents the union of cuisine and artistry that every discerning diner craves. However, if you’ve never tried gold-wrapped sushi, you’re missing out on one of the most extravagant dining delights imaginable.
Filipino chef Angelito Araneta Jr. is known as “The Karat Chef,” and one look at his one-of-a-kind nigiri roll explains why. Sure, it’s wrapped in 24-karat gold leaf instead of the traditional seaweed, but why stop there? In addition to the sushi’s glistening wrap, Araneta adds three pearls from the Philippines’ Province of Palawan to each piece, along with 20-karat African diamonds.
Araneta’s opulent creation will set you back around $2,000, but when you consider what you’re getting, it’s probably not even that much of a ripoff.
The Velvet Goldmine Milkshake at Powder Room
Powder Room’s Velvet Goldmine Milkshake
Nothing goes hand-in-hand quite as well as Hollywood and gold, so it’s no surprise that one of the world’s most expensive milkshakes can be found in Hollywood’s Powder Room bar. Costing $500, The Velvet Goldmine is actually one of the most affordable items in this article, but don’t let that fool you ― each ingredient is as good as it gets.
This delectable concoction starts with Amedei Porcelina chocolate, combined with a mix of English lavender and Tahitian vanilla ice cream, topped off with Belgian chocolate truffles and slices of caramelized banana. This boozy delight gets its kick from Remy Martin Louis 13 cognac, Bacardi Reserve Limitada rum, and Drambuie and Speyside whiskeys, with an elegant finish of gold flakes and a Swarovski crystal ring.
Golden Opulence Sundae at Serendipity 3
Serendipity 3’s Golden Opulence Sundae
If a $500 milkshake is not enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, then give the Golden Opulence Sundae at Manhattan’s Serendipity 3 a try! These sundaes go for $1,000 each, and the 23-karat gold leaf that both lines and tops the treat is just the beginning.
From Tahitian vanilla ice cream to Madagascan vanilla beans, and from Parisian candied fruit to Tuscan chocolate, this sundae really has it all. In the ultimate example of “why not” food preparation, the Golden Opulence Sundae even has a dish of caviar nestled into the top of the glass.
If you want one of these treats for yourself, be aware that the restaurant needs at least 48 hours’ advance notice to prepare one.
Truffle Cream Cheese Bagel at Westin New York
Westin New York’s Truffle Cream Cheese Bagel
The next time you’re out searching for the best bagel in New York, we suggest you drop by the Westin New York hotel. There’s nothing more quintessentially NYC than a bagel with cream cheese, right? How about if you infuse the cream cheese with white truffles, then top it off with gold leaf sprinkles? That’s how you take a simple breakfast staple and add a dash of opulence.
This culinary delight is only available in November and December, and you’ll need to pre-order it at least one day in advance, but trust us when we say it’s worth the $1,000 price tag if you can afford it.
The Glamburger at Honky Tonk Chelsea
Honky Tonk Chelsea’s Glamburger
Let’s take a break from sweet foods and check out the savory side of life. At West London’s Honky Tonk restaurant, you can find the most expensive burger in the world. Available for 1,100 pounds, or roughly $1,500, The Glamburger truly lives up to its name.
The patty itself is a combination of Kobe wagyu beef and New Zealand venison, nestled around a filling of black truffle Brie cheese. The toppings get even more impressive, with saffron-poached lobster, maple bacon, beluga caviar and a gold-coated hickory-smoked duck egg. Finally, you’ll get a bun wrapped in gold leaf, with a white truffle garnish.
If that’s not extravagant enough for you, we’re not sure what would be!
24K Pizza at Industry Kitchen
If you’re sick of the same old pizza, head over to New York’s Financial District, where you’ll find Industry Kitchen and their 24K Pizza. On top of its squid ink dough, Industry Kitchen tops this incredible pizza with 24-karat gold leaf, Stilton cheese, foie gras, truffles and caviar.
At a going rate of $2,000, this pizza is surely expensive, but potently flavorful, thanks to its impressive array of top-shelf ingredients. You’ll need to order it at least two full days in advance, but we have a sneaking suspicion that you won’t feel the need to dip the crust in ranch dressing. ■
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