Golden Opulence Sundae
The Golden Opulence Sundae is a sundae that is served by special order at the New York City restaurant Serendipity 3. In 2007 it was listed in Guinness World Records as the most expensive sundae in the world at a price of US$1,000.[1] The restaurant has stated that they sell approximately one per month. It was created to celebrate the eatery's golden anniversary in 2005.[2] Owner Stephen Bruce states that a notice 48 hours in advance is needed when requesting the Sundae, since ingredients must be flown in from different parts of the world.
[edit] Sundae
Golden Opulence Sundae is made using five scoops of ice cream made from single source ingredients, including vanilla beans from Tahiti (Vanilla Tahiti). The chocolate syrup used is from melted Amedei Porcelana, one of the world's most expensive chocolates.[3] The sundae is then adorned in "candied fruits, gold covered almonds, chocolate truffles and marzipan cherries."[4] It is then topped with edible 23-carat gold leaf and tiny flakes of gold are sprinkled.[4] Edible gold leaf is made from pure gold that is compressed or rolled into very thin sheets that are only a few microns thick and contain no other metals or impurities.[5] Finally, floral decorations made with sugar paste that can take up to 18 hours to construct are placed on the sundae.
[edit] Reception
The sundae was used as a gag on the US NBC television series 30 Rock. It was also previously featured on Forbes' list of the world's most expensive desserts until being dropped in 2008 along with Serendipity 3's $25,000 Frozen Haute Chocolate.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ "World’s Most Expensive Ice Cream — Golden Opulence Sundae". Elite Choice. http://elitechoice.org/2007/10/31/worlds-most-expensive-ice-cream-golden-opulence-sundae/. Retrieved 06 December 2009.
- ^ "Got $1,000? Why Not Try a Golden Opulence Sundae?". Daily Olive. 2006-02-10. http://www.dailyolive.com/got_1000_why_no.html. Retrieved 06 December 2009.
- ^ Moskin, Julia (2003-12-03). "Hints of Wine? Chocolate Enters The Tasting Room". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/03/dining/hints-of-wine-chocolate-enters-the-tasting-room.html. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
- ^ a b Dickler, Jessica. "The most expensive junk food". CNN Money. Time Warner. http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/news/0710/gallery.luxury_expensive_food/3.html. Retrieved 06 December 2009.
- ^ Elert, Glenn. "Thickness of Gold Leaf". The Physics Factbook. http://hypertextbook.com/facts/1999/JeniferVilfranc.shtml. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
- ^ Knadler, Jessie. "World's Most Expensive Desserts". Forbes Traveler. Forbes. Archived from the original on 08 August 2011. http://web.archive.org/web/20090425075140/http://www.forbestraveler.com/food-drink/expensive-desserts-story.html?. Retrieved 06 December 2009.
