Of all the restaurants that might offer a $200 truffle-laden burger on their menu Burger King is probably one of the last ones, if not the last one, that comes to mind. But believe it or not Burger King has launched a $200 hamburger called simply "The Burger" that features Wagyu beef, white truffles, Pata Negra ham slices, Cristal onion straws, Modena balsamic vinegar, lambs lettuce, pink Himalayan rock salt, organic white wine, and shallot-infused mayonnaise all served up on an Iranian saffron and white truffle dusted bun.
That's quite a list of ingredients.
"The Burger" will be on sale once per week in London and proceeds go to benefit the Help a London Child charity.
This is a kitchen gadget made just for me because I love pasta of all kinds but always make too much (and it's not exactly the most waist-friendly food as far as eating too much of it goes or having left-overs around the house). Called The Noooodle (no typo there, unless I missed an "o") it doubles as both a stylish trivet/casserole stand and the loops in the design function as noodle-measuring devices all the way from 1 person up to 4 people. No more guessing! I think it's totally awesome!
Years ago I used to have a nasty habit of chewing on my pens and pencils, and although I've since broken that habit I know I can expect a serious relapse if I ever own a set of these chocolate pencils by Nendo. The pencils come in a set that includes a variety of different cocoa blends so you'll have the perfect flavor (and color) to top whatever it is you're garnishing, plus a pencil sharpener for easy and perfectly shaped shavings every time. Sounds like a perfect gift for the chef or hostess that already seems to have everything!
The Fleur de Lys restaurant in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay may serve French cuisine but that hasn't stopped them from adapting their own version of an American classic: the hamburger. Called the "Fleurburger 5000" it's no Plain Jane either, featuring a juicy Kobe beef patty topped with a rich truffle sauce and served on a brioche truffle bun. And this burger comes with its own beverage, a bottle of 1990 Chateau Petrus, that is served in Ichendorf Brunello stemware that you get to keep.
It sounds (and looks) delicious -- as well it should for the whopping price tag of $5000. And if you do decide to indulge no worries about bragging rights: you can bring a friend (they get a free burger when you order yours) and you'll also get a certificate in the mail (along with your keepsake glass) so you'll have both a witness and paper proof.
So what does a thousand dollars look like in the form of sushi? Well, it starts with marinated and poached fois gras that is covered with succulent Langoustine (lobster). Then the roll is brushed with saffron/vanilla bean butter and encrusted with caviar. Finally, when the roll is served the Chef comes tableside to shave white Alba truffles and drizzle them with 100 year balsamic.
Ugh, airline food. The growing popularity of private jets and jet charters is changing that stereotype, though, as those who can afford it are not only flying, but also eating, in style. Jet-Chef.com is a service for jet owners, pilots, brokers, flight attendants, etc., and offers access to some of the world's best chefs, caterers, and suppliers for the ultimate in in-flight dining. The service comes in the form of a website directory that makes searching by city, state, or airport and getting in touch with high-class gourmet chef and catering services easy and convenient.
Currently Jet Chef is only available in the U.S., but at the rate the private jet industry is growing they expect to be going international in the near future.
I'll admit it, now that I'm getting older I've found I have to carry reading glasses with me when dining out just in case the menu is in small type. I'm far from alone and a company has found a new niche by creating Menus That Talk. The talking menus is about the size of a DVD and has lighted, labeled buttons for each menu category. Tap the button once to hear the category name and then tap the button twice to hear all the menu items for that category. The device comes with an earphone for diners who are hard of hearing or self-conscious about the talking menu. The menus can also be customized for different languages and menu changes are made online. Restaurants can either buy the units (five for $3,500) or lease (five units for $120 a month). It will likely not replace the paper menu anytime soon but it's a good option for those who can't read the menu.
Foul-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay is ready for what might be the biggest culinary challenge of his life, opening a restaurant in France. Ramsay who has declared his ambition to win win three Michelin stars in London, Paris and New York is opening a brasserie and fine-dining restaurant at the Trianon Palace hotel near the Palace of Vesailles. On the menu will be his usual fare such as blue lobster ravioli with steamed lemongrass and cream of chervil as well as newer more elaborate options such as a take on the English breakfast that includes a stuffed mushroom in an edible puff-pastry spoon, a sliver of bacon and crispy pancetta, a dollop of scrambled egg and white beans in a tomato sauce. French food critics are ready for Ramsay. François Simon at Le Figaro has accused Ramsay of coming to France on the quest for money and has said the the main interest in the restaurant will come from British and American tourists visiting Versailles not the locals. Ramsay's show "Hell's Kitchen" is now on French cable television so perhaps that will help lure the curious.
Five star butter? Yes, even butter can be gourmet. "The Best Butter on Earth," produced by Five Star Butter Co., claims to be the best butter on earth (imagine that!). Founded in 1999, Five Star Butter Co. was born out of one man's medical need for raw butter and cream that then slowly grew into many people's personal preference for raw butter and cream. Five Star Butter Co. previously only sold to gourmet kitchens and restaurant chefs, but now their high-end butter is available for home delivery. 83% butterfat, raw, organic cultured butter $49.95.
Have you ever wondered what kind of food Presidents eat? Well you now have the chance to find out. The Waldorf Astoria has hosted every U.S. President since Herbert Hoover and they're now offering a four-course presidential menu complete with wine in order to share some of their best presidential creations. The meal includes:
The tasting menu will run you $500, which includes private butler service in a room decorated with U.S. flags and some complimentary presidential amenities/souvenirs. Yum!
I've personally always loved the idea that years ago on the farm the ringing of the dinner bell is what would call in the kids from the yard to eat, and whether these days you have a big group to summon together or just like the nostalgic decor value of a nice bell, this set of copper dinner bells will make a sweet addition to your kitchen. The set includes 3 brass bells in 3 shapes and 3 colors: and copper-finished onion bell, a silver-finished tulip bell, and a gold-finished trumpet bell. $325
A bowl that looks like a big white sponge -- everybody wants one! Designed by Marcel Wanders and made by Moooi, the idea for the Foam Bowl started as an experiment and turned into something beautiful. Created by soaking a sponge in liquid porcelain, letting it dry, and then firing it hot enough to burn the sponge away, the result is a sponge "skeleton," or a bowl that looks like it's made of foam. Pure white and porous, you'll want to be careful how much you handle it and what (if anything) you put in it. 2.25" x 8.25", $220.
This is the time of year where special occasions and rare visits from family and friends are plentiful, and although home cooking is a big part of the season so is eating out -- because when people are in from out of town you hardly want to take them down to the local "all-you-can-eat for $4.99" buffet to celebrate their visit. But if you don't want to get stuck choosing between either the buffet or McDonald's then you might want to plan ahead, because as we all know everybody else in town is going to have the same idea!
There are many people in the world who fly frequently and as such are often subject to airline food, despite it's nasty reputation of being nothing but reheated cardboard. Some airlines, however, are seeking to change that in a major way for their first class passengers -- even to the extent for some of having a chef on board (Gulf Airlines) and serving exotic gourmet dishes.
Designer Eero Saarinen believed there were too many "legs" on things in the average American home, and awhile back (in 1956) he created a collection to help remedy that situation. Out of that effort came the Saarinen Dining Table, which as you can see has but one pedestal for support. It goes well with it's Tulip chair relatives, and altogether they project a very simplistic, pure energy.
The Saarinen tables are available in a variety of colors and sizes, the dining table shown here goes for $1,342.
