There are many reasons to book a trip, food certainly being one of them. Travelers will plan an entire getaway to try a dish at a particular restaurant and dazzle their taste buds. But what if we told you some of the best meals in the entire world have been kept a secret? A growing number of luxury restaurants and resorts around the globe are offering unlisted dishes that you have to know about to order.
"Secret menus create a feeling of exclusivity for our guests, allowing them to feel in-the-know on some of our exclusive offerings," Juan Carlos Prats, Executive Chef at Sanctuary Cap Cana (which has a secret menu), told Departures. "Whether it's for a celebration or to make a dining experience extra special, an unlisted offering adds to guests' overall dining experience having gained access to something rare and memorable."
Here are some of the most elite secret menus around the world.
Tomahawk Steakhouse Service at Sanctuary Cap Cana Resort & Spa, Dominican Republic
The adults-only, all-inclusive Sanctuary Cap Cana Resort & Spa's Steakhouse offers the Tomahawk service. Not included in any restaurant menu, the impressive bone-in steak comes with a selection of three wines to pair and a personal server who cuts and serves tableside throughout the entire evening.
The Rarest of Beef at lebua Hotels & Resorts, Bangkok
Atop the world's first vertical destination, one of Thailand's only two-Michelin star restaurants, Mezzaluna at lebua Hotels & Resorts, is serving up a wagyu beef and wine pairing(starting at $1,000.00) off the secret menu. They utilize a hyper-local sourced A5 ingredient exclusive from Chef Ryuki Kawasaki's hometown in Niigata, Japan–the prefecture only allows distribution of 100 cows annually, and Chef Ryuki receives one cow per month. Complete with a rare bottle of wine hand-delivered by Hilario García, this pairing is an off-the-menu offering with limited availability.
Secret Billionaire Menu at Delmonico's Restaurant in New York City
Several items aren't listed anywhere, but are available at the bar, and can be ordered through the bartender only by those "in-the-know." The Billionaire's Flatbread, for example, is Wagyu beef, Hudson Valley foie gras, lobster, mushrooms, black truffle shavings, mascarpone, and edible 24-carat gold-leaf shavings. While the Gold Moon Dessert Collection features $50 cookies and a $35 milkshake complete with edible 24K gold leaf shavings.
La Perla at The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park in El Paso, Texas
The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park in downtown El Paso is set to reclaim its famed history in early 2020 as it completes an extensive restoration. Part of that will be La Perla, the hotel's rooftop bar and lounge inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's famed pearl. It will feature a secret late-night menu that guests can only view with special code glasses. The menu will feature a fun child-like twist on Mexican favorites like churros, taquitos, and adult floats.
Red, The Steakhouse in Miami
A Cleveland concept, Red has been a long time under the radar fav of Lebron James. Chef Peter Vauthy created some really special off-the-menu dishes only available to those who know to ask. Those include a lobster stuffed lobster—a three-pound Maine lobster stuffed with more lobster and king crab served with cognac cream—and a massive 10lb King Crab, which has become a legend for the restaurant and myth that grows by the day. Plus, there's the King Crab Crusted Tomahawk, aka a Dry Aged Certified Angus Beef Prime Tomahawk Topped with 1/4 pound of king crab—CAB, known as the Rolls Royce of meat.
