Oftentimes, large chains such as McDonald’s and Starbucks offer “secret” drinks and dishes. Whether they’re truly hidden, it’s a great way to create loyalty among customers that appreciate an “inside track to the brand,” said Eric Cleveland, Executive Chef of Shoney’s.
Now, for those interested in more luxurious options, here are several to consider.
#1: PASTA WITH DUCK LIVER MOUSSE AND SEA URCHIN (MR CHOW, BEVERLY HILLS: $50)
It’s not easy ordering chef Zheng Bing Ren’s secret duck liver pasta and sea urchin. Reserved for a select few, this dish features highly seasonal and scarce ingredients, plus a long and complex preparation process that involves “curing” the duck liver, which means a request (if you’re lucky enough to snag one) requires several weeks’ notice. So far, only a handful of people have given this a try.
#2: ULTIMATE SURF & TURF (LE CIRQUE, LAS VEGAS: $325)
If you don’t want to spend two weeks waiting for a pasta, there’s an off-menu “ultimate surf and turf” available upon request about 48 hours in advance. Created by executive chef Alan Mardonovich, every ingredient here screams indulgence. First, the surf—a 2-lb. butter-poached Maine lobster tail bathed in lobster sauce, topped with Osetra caviar and finished with an edible 24-carat gold leaf. Second, the turf, which is a Japanese A5 grade Kobe steak covered with a Perigourdine sauce made from truffles, topped with a seared foie gras and shaved Alba white truffles. And if your stomach still has room, there are delicious sides such as a beef tendon and potato croquette on top of a beef bone with marrow.
#3: HIDDEN KID-FRIENDLY BEVERAGE CART AND PAIRINGS (PLUME, WASHINGTON DC: $10)
Just because you haven’t reached drinking age doesn’t mean you should be left out from a fancy beverage service. The folks at Michelin-starred restaurant Plume came up with this surprise, using a range of fruits such as beets, pears and other hearty ingredients plus spices to make sure there’s a deluxe non-alcoholic drink for different children’s menu items. According to restaurant manager Sean Mulligan, one of the most popular drinks is the Cuvee No. 2—a lightly sparkling juice with organic sloe plums, aronia berries, pears and currants—that pairs nicely with the Crudité.
#4: THE DAILY DRIP (THE DAWSON, CHICAGO: $6)
Like regular menus, secret ones get a revamp sometimes to keep up with customer tastes. For several years, The Dawson had been secretly serving deluxe jello shots in vintage molds. When it was time to take a different direction, the stylish cocktail bar and restaurant began offering The Daily Drip—featuring an ever-changing shot of Old Forester 100 proof bourbon filtered through an elaborate tea tower. Mixed with a seasonal assortment of botanicals and spirits, each sip offers a different experience. Previous Drips include varieties of rum, tequila, orange, lemon, and even pumpkin, while the current version is infused with Peloton de la Muerte mezcal and crème de cacao with peach, basil and mint.
#5: FILIPINO UNDERGROUND CRUNCH WRAP (FLIP SIGI, NEW YORK: $12.95)
If you’re into detective work, then check out this Filipino fusion restaurant in West Village for its secret special. The staff are so good at keeping it under wraps that even they won’t tell you the name. What you’ll have to do is visit the restaurant’s Instagram page, where chef-slash-owner Jordan Andino occasionally shares the dish and order instructions. However, if all this sounds too bothersome to you, Flip Sigi also has an ongoing off-menu item called Filipino Underground Crunch Wrap, which is an upgrade of the Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme. Made with braised short rib, fried tortilla, kimchi fried rice, Mexican cheese, shredded lettuce and Andino’s homemade salsas, everything is wrapped in a flour tortilla and griddled until melted and crispy.
