New York’s Ultra‑Rich Sundae: “Bear Extraordinaire”
On July 23, 2018, the Baccarat Hotel in New York unveiled a dessert so lavish it would make a candy shop blush. The showstopper, priced at a cool US$1,500 (S$2,042), is a mouth‑watering, opulent sundae that’s worth every heartbeat of your wallet.
Why It’s Called “Bear Extraordinaire”
- The sundae sits inside a crystal “Zoo Bear” bowl—yes, the same 12‑inch beast you’d expect to see in a top‑up‑percent luxury “Baccarat” hotel.
- Guests get to lift the lid and taste Madagascar vanilla ice cream that’s so divine it leaves you with a diamond‑shimmering wow‑factor.
- One proud patron, Virgilia Virjoghe, cans about it: “It’s exquisite, just like everything Baccarat ever creates. May I eat it all? It’s so outstanding I’m almost scared to touch it. Artwork. Now that’s a diet I would love to be on for the rest of my life.”
The Sweet Anatomy of the Sundae
Think chocolate, sugar, and luxury babbling. The sublime creation is built in layers:
- Vanilla ice cream forms the delicious base.
- It’s topped with a black truffle crumble that screams decadent.
- A splash of champagne sauce adds a sparkling finish.
- All of this is locked inside a white chocolate shell hand‑painted with strokes of red, green, and yellow cocoa butter—mirroring the iconic Baccarat color palette.
- The shell is covered in gold leaf and silver flakes, because why not?
- To top it off, spun sugar creates a nest of fondant butterflies and edible flowers, turning the sundae into a miniature art exhibit.
Get It Home (Or Just Bite It)
While the mere center of the sundae costs a mere US$300, you can also order the full bear‑shaped porcelain base and crystal topper—an entourage of sweet swag you can bring home. The design boasts a honeycomb‑patterned base, perfect for collectors and dessert connoisseurs alike.
Behind the Scenes: The Mastermind
Rosario Wakabayashi, Baccarat’s pastry chef, reveals that the idea was born out of a month’s worth of intense experimentation. She says, “We’ve been testing, that’s why it took so long, but we were inspired by the Baccarat brand, by the colours, red, the green, the yellow. So that’s why we came up with the idea of the chocolate shell with those colours and you see in the Grand Salon, we have the Baccarat butterflies, that also inspired this dessert.”
Limited Launch, Unlimited Bragging Rights
Released mid‑July, the sundae is set to be available through Labour Day. The staff are already seeing orders pour in, proving that when it comes to desserts, “too much” is just the right amount. If you’re in New York and craving the pinnacle of sweet indulgence, this bear is waiting for you—just bring your appetite and your sense of humor.
