As the weather turns sunny and warm it is time to fire up the grill and enjoy a pastime idolized in popular culture and rightly so. To cook outdoors over an open flame is thousands of years old and yet rare for most people these days. National Hamburger day kicks off summer, and now that barbecue season is back it is the perfect time to start getting creative and adventurous.
There are several burgers that go above and beyond decadent to compete for the world’s most expensive hamburger. The first is the Fleurburger at the Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Chef Hubert Keller, author of several books and winner of numerous awards, has created a Wagyu beef burger with foie gras, shaved black truffles, topped with a special sauce and served on a Brioche truffle bun. It comes with a bottle of 1995 vintage Chateau Petrus served in Ichendorf Brunello glasses which diners keep as a memento for this momentous meal. Coming in at $5000 USD it is by far the most expensive hamburger but since the wine is included another burger has to be in the conversation.
The Glamburger at the Honky Tonk in London was designed by Chris Large who, originally from Australia, created a truly multicultural hamburger expressing the diverse community in London. This sumptuous creation starts with Kobe Wagyu beef from Japan topped with New Zealand Venison. The Glamburger is seasoned with Himalayan salt served with Canadian Lobster poached in Iranian Saffron. A hickory smoked duck egg, black truffle brie, beluga caviar, and bacon coated in maple syrup add level after level of flavor to be enjoyed savoringly. For even more elegance the bun is seasoned with Japanese Matcha, cream mayonnaise and coated in gold leaf, garnished with mango and Champagne jus and grated white truffle. Wow. At $1770 USD this burger weighed in with top points for mouthwatering appeal and creative genius.
Perhaps ambitious for the home barbecue but these lavish, luxurious meals give great ideas to experiment with. Happy Hamburger Day!
