ES Local: New York’s Four-Figure Dishes

We all know that eating out in New York can often be a ridiculously expensive proposition. But what about the times when you want to make that really ridiculous? Recession or not, there are still a good few places around town where you can drop $1,000 on just one dish. Worth it? Umm…we’ll probably never know. The ES accounting department wouldn’t shell out expenses for this story. Anyone out there want to sponsor a $4,000 restaurant crawl?

The $1,000 Dish: Bagel and cream cheese
Where: The Westin New York at Times Square, 270 West 43rd St., but only during the fall truffle season.
Why: Alba white truffle cream cheese, goji berry infused Riesling jelly and specks of golden leaves.
$1 alternative: A schmear to go from H&H’s midtown outpost. 629 West 46th St.

The $1,000 Dish: Omelet
Where: Norma’s restaurant at Le Parker Meridien Hotel, 119 West 56th St.
Why: Six eggs whipped up with lobster and 10 ounces of Sevruga caviar (that’s a lot).
$1 alternative: Sausage McMuffin, now a buck at the McDonald’s around the corner.

The $1,000 Dish: Pizza
Where: Nino’s Bellissima Pizza, 890 2nd Ave.
Why: Topped with caviar and Maine lobster.
$1 alternative: A slice from 99 Cent Fresh Pizza. 151 E. 43rd St.

The $1,000 Dish: Ice cream sundae
Where: Serendipity 3, 890 2nd Ave.
Why: Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with Amedei Porceleana (the world’s most expensive chocolate) and edible gold leaf.
$1 alternative: FroYo for 35 cents an ounce at Yogurt Station, 18 St. Mark’s Place. Toppings can make it cost more, but there’s no gold option, so you should be able to keep it under a grand.

Also on Oyster: New York City’s $1,000 dishes (and their $1 alternatives)

(Photo: Daily News)