Just back from our one and only Wellington on a plate festival event, Le Burger Bourgeoisie at The Jardin Grill.
It’s at The Sofitel which is just 100 metres down the hill from our house. The burger has become famous this winter for the cost – comfortably the most expensive burger in the competition at $185. But what a burger! Top grade wagyu beef, aged cheddar, lobster, caviar, with a brioche bun topped off with gold leaf.
We asked the waiter if it’s been popular, and he said far more than they’d dreamed. They thought they’d sell around five, but they’ve sold well over a hundred. It seems a lot to pay for a burger, but as our friend said tonight – you pay $185 for a burger, and tomorrow you die! I think the sentiment was something like Carpe Diem, or live for the day – but the waiter who heard him was quite taken aback. I could see the raised eyebrows behind the mask. I asked him what the mortality has been so far, and he said cautiously that not a single customer had perished that he knew of, so that was good news.
I was expecting the burger to be overrated and humdrum but actually it was delicious. Ten out of ten, would order again, but only once a year. Here’s a little video of the presentation:
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ps. The burger has stoked the popular imagination so much that there was an article on how much each of the components cost. The gold leaf topping is worth $12.