2015 Nov 26
by Kanchana Ranasinghe
Annoyed with your partner’s taste for the most expensive dishes on the menu? Well… you better be grateful if any of these haven’t crossed your dinner-dates.
Let’s take a journey across the world exploring some of the most expensive dishes ever including one in our very own Sri Lanka. Sure you never knew our little island boasted of a most-expensive dish.
Sri Lanka’s Fortress Resort Dessert: USD 14,500
The most expensive dessert in the world, the Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence, priced at a whopping $14,500, is themed around the traditional stilt fishermen of Sri Lanka. This dish is made of a gold leaf Italian cassata, flavoured with Irish cream infused with tender fruit. It is served with a mango and pomegranate compote, and a bubbly-based Dom Perignon champagne sabayon, forming the base of this delicious dessert. It is decorated with a signature Fortress handmade chocolate carving in the shape of a local stilt fisherman clinging onto his stilt – an ancient local fishing custom which is still in practice today. However, the highlight of the dessert would be the magnificent 80 carat Aquamarine stone that adorns the dish. With a diameter that spans the head of a soup spoon, the stone rests majestically next to the chocolate carving, completing this artistic masterpiece.
Apart from the obvious attractions, the legendary charms of the Aquamarine stone also adds an element of mystery to the dessert. Known as the stone of courage, Aquamarines are said to possess certain healing properties that soothe away fear and invoke tolerance. They are believed to emit calming energies which reduce stress and ease the mind. Many people also believe that aquamarines have a positive effect on relationships by bestowing the owner with foresight and happiness, making it the perfect recipe for a long and happy marriage. It has been used over the years by fishermen and sailors for protection and luck.
Yubari King Melons of Japan: USD 22,872
Ever thought some melon or cantaloupe would cost that much? Well, to begin with these are not the usual ones we see every other day at the market. The orange-fleshed Yubari King melons are coveted because of its proportion and sweetness. These items are so in demand that auctions are actually conducted for its purchase.
Often, up to 100 melon fruits from the district of Yubari are on the block awaiting bids. The most perfect of all is usually the first item to be put on sale. This highest recorded sale was with a businessman owning a souvenir shop and seafood lunch restaurant who made a bid of nearly $23,000 for the honor and privilege of taking home the first and best fruit of the season.
The Ono cocktail from Las Vegas: USD 10,000
XS Nightclub at Encore, Las Vegas is popular for its USD 10,000 drink, the Ono. This cocktail featuring Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie 1981 and Louis XIII de Remy Martin Black Pearl cognac coupled with the bars own secret ingredients, despite being one of the worst sellers on the menu has brought in ample publicity to the place. Each order is served along with a specialized gift for the customer composing a pair of men’s silver cufflinks and a woman’s 18K white-gold chain with a black pearl pendant.
The Iranian Almas Caviar: USD 25,000
Caviar, the delicacy made of salt-cured fish-eggs (roe) prepared fresh or even pasteurized, is in itself among the expensive dishes on menus everywhere. As a much sought after commodity, caviar has been central in numerous depictions of culture over the years.
The Iranian Beluga Fish gives the rarest variety of this item, popularly known as the Almas Caviar. The rarity of this items simply elevates the price tag of this already exaggerated food. Stores selling this item in itself are extremely uncommon, with the Caviar House and Prunier in Piccadilly, London being among the few recorded.
Servings of 1kg of this Almas Caviar are sold in pure golden tins with the overwhelming price tag of USD 25,000.
Italian White Alba truffle: USD 14,000
Truffles, rare mushroom like fungus growing beneath the roots of trees, have often been described as “diamonds of a kitchen” by many a gourmet (that’s an expert on food. Interestingly, the Italian White Alba variation of this already treasured food, is among the most coveted. It is no wonder that this dish comes with an extravagant price tag of over USD 14,000! It is recorded that 1.5kg of the original Italian White Alba has been sold for a price of USD 160,000.
