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Behold the $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae.
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You might recall this place from the 2001 movie Serendipity—it's the crowded yet cozy restaurant where sparks flew between John Cusack's and Kate Beckinsale's characters. The restaurant can be found near the landmark department store Bloomingdale's on New York's Upper East Side. Inside, you will discover two floors of artsy, fun, retro-inspired décor, complete with original Tiffany lamps, black and white floors, oversized Victorian posters, and other eclectic pieces.
The restaurant's most prized menu item is the $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae. The Guinness Book of World Records' most expensive sundae, this ain't your typical bowl of ice cream.
The Golden Opulence Sundae was born in 2004 when the restaurant celebrated its 50th anniversary—and boy did they celebrate in style. The treat starts with a Baccarat Harcourt crystal goblet, which you can take with you to commemorate your decadent dessert experience.
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| Serendipity 3, home of the Golden Opulence Sundae, was featured in the 2001 movie Serendipity. |
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The sundae features five scoops of Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream that has been infused with Madagascar vanilla and is blanketed with some of the most high-class chocolate you'll ever find. Drizzled atop is 70% cacao Amedei Porcelana, and it's covered with chunks of rare Chuao chocolate that comes from cocoa beans that were grown near the Caribbean Sea on Venezuela's coast.
Next, the sundae is decorated with 23-carat edible gold leaf and a variety of exotic candied fruits from Paris. The masterpiece is completed with gold-leaf truffles; marzipan cherries; a tiny bowl of Grand Passion Caviar that has been infused with passion fruit, orange, and Armagnac; and a gilded sugar flower created by pastry chef and sugar artist Ron Ben-Israel. You even get to dive into the sweet extravaganza with an 18-carat gold spoon.
According to one of Serendipity 3's staff members, the restaurant sells approximately one Golden Opulence Sundae per month, and some of the restaurant's current employees have yet to see one of these beauties.
If you want to enjoy one of these coveted desserts, make sure to call ahead with 48 hours' notice. Happy sweet spending!
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