Friday, 9 January 2009

The most expensive restaurant in the world?

I love eating out, but even this is a bit much.

I'm the kind of person who would happily eat out 3 meals a day, every day. I like to cook, but I hate washing up and when push comes to shove, if someone else is making the grub I'm happier. Where most people cringe at an £80 tasting menu, I think that isn't bad value - as long as the food tastes incredible.

With that in mind, it's quite surprising that I've found a restaurant (Alain Ducasse's Plaza Athénée) whose prices shock even me! This menu is absolutely ridiculous! I don't know who eats here, but my guess is you have to show proof at the door that you own a diamond mine in Africa. I mean the food does look delicious and I still want to eat here, but seriously, €135 for some lobster!!! These prices are the most ridiculous I've ever seen (congratulations M. Ducasse). And that's saying something. Makes the Fat Duck look downright cheap!

http://www.alain-ducasse.com/public_us/plaza_athenee/fr_cuisine.htm

This is their 'Winter' menu:

• Black truffle marmalade and Roseval potatoes,

sea salt 125 €

• Roasted blue lobster, gnocchi, young leeks

and truffles 135 €

SPECIALITIES

• Steamed langoustines served cold, Iranian osetra caviar,

reduced stock 175 € 95 € - half portion -

• Bresse chicken glazed in an Albufera sauce,

tartufi di Alba 175 €

PLEASURES OF THE TABLE

• Vegetables and fruits cooked / raw, tomato / truffle chutney 65 €

• Sea scallops and cauliflower cream « grenobloise » style 80 €

• Guinea fowl from Challans and duck liver, truffled dressing 90 €

• Line caught sea bass flavoured with citrus / peppers, caramelized fillet 90 €

• Dover sole, clams and cockles, parsley juice 100 €

• Brittany turbot in matelote 95 €

• Rack and saddle of lamb, artichokes and fresh salad, dry fruits crumbs 95 €

• Venison with winter vegetables, reduced red wine spicy sauce 100 €

• Preserved and smoked pigeon, sweet and sour turnips 90 €

• Cheeses refined for you 25 €

• Three dishes of your choice from our "Specialities" - half portion -, cheeses and dessert 360 €

• Three dishes of your choice from "Pleasures of the table" - half portion -, cheeses and dessert

2 comments:

Phoenecia said...

Can I just ask all the people who are coming to this page from Google: why on Earth is everyone in the US looking for the most expensive restaurant in the world?

Something in the news? I'm confused. Enlighten me, please.

Anonymous said...

Phoenicia: It really is a random search. In my case, I suddenly developed an urge, after visiting what I considered to be an expensive restaurant, to see how much people would be willing to pay for a meal. It's shocking, really - I'd rather have a new printer than curry that costs £2,000 a portion.