The Pentaverate

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The Most Over-the-Top Meals in L.A.

Food blogs went all abuzz recently with the release of the “Douche Burger,” a culinary monster created by a New York City food truck, 666 Burger. It contains: (1) a foie gras-stuffed Kobe patty, (2) Gruyere cheese that’s been melted by champagne steam, (3) lobster, (4) truffles, (5) caviar, and (6) a BBQ sauce from Kopi Luwak coffee beans. Oh yeah, and then (7) it’s wrapped in six sheets of gold leaf. The debacle can be had for a mere $666.

(In case you’re curious: Yes, it’s technically okay to eat gold from a health standpoint, and yes, the chef behind it is in on the joke of how ridiculous the whole thing is.)

But if you’re in the mood for an over-the-top and insane meal, you don’t need to get on a red-eye flight to New York. L.A., not surprisingly, has quite a few of its own extreme and ridiculous meals to choose from. Before heading out to try these, however, make sure to check your charge card limit and lock your shame sensors deep down inside.

Mélisse’s Macaroni and Cheese

A three-pack box of Macaroni and Cheese from Kraft costs roughly $8. The version from Mélisse in Santa Monica costs a whopping $95. Sure, there’s a slight difference between the box of crunchy cheap noodles/sauce powder combo, and fresh pasta, Parmesan cheese, brown-butter truffle froth, and shaved white truffles. But, still. It’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese. (Note: This is only available between October and December, when white truffles are in season. So start saving now!)

Bazaar’s “Just Shrimp Cocktail”

Bazaar’s known for their outlandish menu items, but this one from a 2009 tasting menu in the Saam room sticks out in particular: The “just shrimp cocktail” is a large prawn coated with lime juice and sesame seeds. Seems pretty straightforward, almost earning its laid-back title. Oh, that is until the chef sticks it with a plastic pipette filled with “shrimp essence” you squeeze into your mouth as you devour it. Whole thing seems a bit… wait for it… fishy to me!

See more culinary absurdity here.