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30 Of The Worst Things Ever Served In Fancy Restaurants That Just Look Like A Scam
What better way to stand out in the competitive industry of the restaurant business than to go nuts with a Michelin-esque presentation. Is that a single meringue served on a levitating pillow? Did we get charged an extra $10 because they served our butter on a posh-looking rock?
The world of wannabe fine-dining restaurants, of course, is not a new phenomenon. Throughout the years, we've written about it enough times to know that we shouldn't be expected to get this instead of a pea soup like we've ordered. And so, in honor of this peculiar trend, Bored Panda has curated a collection of the most outrageous fine-dining experiences out there.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Vegan Option Served At A Fancy End Of Conference Dinner
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#2
I Ordered The Salad At The Fanciest Restaurant In Town
#3
These Snacks Served With Stones: Some Are Real Stones And Some Are To Eat. You Have To Guess
Anne Jones 1 year ago
We had sweets that looked like pebbles when I was a kid. You could eat them all though. No real pebbles in the bag.
#4
Wife And I Accidentally Went To A Michelin Star Restaurant On Our Honeymoon In Ireland
#5
2-Michelin-Star Restaurant Had This On Instagram. This Is The Vegetarian Option. It Is Marinated Tofu With Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Lotus Flower in Space 🪷 1 year ago (edited)
So, roasted colon and brick cheese with fried worms then
#6
A Handful Of Raspberry Sauce At A Fancy Restaurant
#7
Michelin Star Chocolate Hands
#8
Sushi For M’lady?
#9
Have Some Gyoza With This Houseplant
#10
Bread In A Versace Shoe
#11
Seen In A Sushi Restaurant In My City. I Still Can't Believe It
QuirkyKittyGirl 1 year ago
They call this one the "Pringle Tingle" - its made from pufferfish scraps left over from making Fugu. No, your tongue is SUPPOSED to go numb. Its part of the "experience ".
Rob Chapman 1 year ago (edited)
1 Pringle with a glob of...something. And I bet it costs at least $25
The Bearded Viking 1 year ago
It might taste nice...but, cat spew with mouse poop on a pringle would see me getting a good feed of fish n chips on the way home, without a doubt!
Stephanie Williams Hadley 1 year ago
Didn't even bother to make their own chips, smh. But you want me to pay for this.
Fernando Álvarez 1 year ago
At first sight I thought it was a boiled hamster crying "end my miseryyyy"
#12
Next Time Just Throw The Dish At Me Please
#13
This Free Birthday Cake At A Fancy Restaurant
#14
This Is A Fancy Restaurant, Not A Supermarket Checkout
#15
This $10 Salad I Paid For At A Restaurant
#16
Restaurant’s Version Of Corn On The Cob. Wouldn’t Just Be Easier To BBQ Them On The Cob?
#17
What 20$ Gets You In A Fancy Restaurant. I Didn't Even Know What To Do With It
#18
Is It Forgivable When It's A Michelin Star Restaurant? (De Librije In Zwolle)
#19
Marshmallow "Worms" Served On A Plant
#20
My Mom Asked The Waitress What Type Of Bread It Was. It’s A Rock With The Butter For The Bread
#21
Ate At Three Michelin Star Restaurant Alinea In Chicago. Dessert Painted On The Table, Edible Balloons, Table Fires… It’s An Experience
Lotus Flower in Space 🪷 1 year ago
Chef Grant Achatz makes beautiful food and portions looks decent. This one seems ok and very creative.
#22
Rocks And Potatoes Painted To Look Like Rocks At Michelin-Starred Restaurant
#23
At A 2-Michelin-Stars Restaurant
#24
Recently Sat Through A 44-Course Meal At The Atelier In Ottawa, Canada
But this one was a freaking star: “cook” at the table in liquid nitrogen, dunk into hot spicy squash soup.
#25
Tempura Green Beans, In A Shoe
#26
At A Michelin-Starred Restaurant In Amsterdam, My Cocktail Arrived In A Plastic Bag
Lotus Flower in Space 🪷 1 year ago
Better for the diner’s experience and the planet if they just used glass.
#27
Incarne (And Bones)
#28
Croquette In A Box Among Rocks
#29
Lab By Sergi Agola, Sintra, Portugal - Some Highlights In No Particular Order
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What do you think ?
DJR 1 year ago (edited)
What do you expect when a tire company rates restaurants just so you'll have a place to drive in order to need new tires? https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/history-of-the-michelin-guide-th
Load More Replies...
Miocha 1 year ago
All I see is hygienic issues, too little portion, overpriced food. More like fraud to me. But yeah maybe because I'm too peasant who can't afford those fancy foods :D
Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago
The sad thing is there are people, some right here at BP, who'll defend this nonsense to their last breath and claim that people who see the scam for what it is just aren't "sophisticated" enough to appreciate it.
Load More Replies...
Noname 1 year ago
I don't understand this fad of food art, and won't pay for it. There are a lot of Michelin starred establishments that earn the rating for consistency of quality of food, mastery of flavors and cooking technique, and holds a valid reason to visit the establishment for the previous reasons, and they don't serve food that looks like it should be in the MoMa. Jay Fai is a Thai street food vendor who has earned a Michelin rating specifically for her crab omelette. Her food isn't pretentious and the cost for the customer is equitable to the cost of the ingredients and labor. The best restaurants, in my opinion, don't rely on gimmicks like the ones shown in this article, but serve quality food made by competent chefs that you want to eat again and again, and can afford to eat again and again.
Noname 1 year ago (edited)
My favorite ramen restaurant in Paris is Higuma. There's generally a queue to get in. The interior is plain, the food (ramen, gyoza, tempura) is fantastic, the portions are generous and the price is affordable. I'd rather eat there than at any resto headed by Grant Achazt or Thomas Keller, or any of these "food artists". For comparison, the Subway sandwich chain calls their employees "sandwich artists", but never will you get a Subway sandwich that is "deconstructed" and served in dollops on rocks or salvaged wood.
Load More Replies... Delta Dawn 1 year ago
You know how zoos hide food in logs and up trees to provide enrichment for the animals? This is that, but for rich people.
Tambot 1 year ago
I like to think of myself as an open-minded person...buuuttttt... all of those meals are stupid. Sorry.
Saracynthiasylviasnout 1 year ago
That's all I could think of while reading this entire post.
Load More Replies...
Ariadne Toms 1 year ago
I am blown away by this. Give me a 20.99 Parma and chips from the pub thanks....lovely little salad on the side with a balsamic vinaigrette and too much so need a doggy bag. Why would you buy this food?
Barbara Cochrane 1 year ago
My husband and I went to a very elegant restaurant here in downtown Chicago and they served actual FOOD. Not anything like this c**p. Get reviews before you spend big bucks on these so called restaurants. I think they are just scams.
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
Most of this is pretentious c**p. I do not want my food served on a straw hat which cleanliness and sterility are questionable. I'm not interested in wasting my time trying to figure out which part of my dish is edible and which will break my dåmn teeth. If you serve me food in a shoe, I will throw it at your head. Food should look appetizing; it should not look like things which formerly were food at some point.
Sally Signup 1 year ago
The chefs at these restaurants must really enjoy getting paid to play with food.
T5n 1 year ago (edited)
I’ve been to a couple fancy restaurants and thankfully I haven’t seen anything this bad in person. Even the wine bar that I went to with a $90 tasting menu ($120 with the wine paring) didn’t have portions this small. In all honesty, the place had decent sized portions, excellent presentation and truly amazing flavors, and no gimmicky aspects of the serving.I’m a foodie who loves working with food and cocktails so I can be very critical of flavors. But having good flavors does not mean that a dish should be fully consumed in three bites!
Debra McGeorge 1 year ago
As a retired chef, I can attest to the fact that this limited group of idiots is an aberration, and not the norm. Our philosophy is that you eat with your eyes first, and I'd never consider anything so absurd. The fine dining restaurants I've been to would never consider pulling this c**p.
Sami-Jo Ross 1 year ago
When I go out to eat I am NOT going there for "atmosphere" or "presentation". If I'm shelling out that much cash I better be getting enough food that they're wheeling me out on a cart in a food coma!
Frances Pitchounetta 1 year ago
Sometimes catering is a pretentious field. Do you know this new restaurant trend in your country? Instead of writing the name of a dish in the menu (e.g. eggplant parmigiana, duck breast with blueberry sauce) with a presentation of the ingredients, they will just write the ingredients: cauliflower, eggplant, tomato, truffle, fleur de sel, oil. You don't even know what the plate is, if it's grilled, roasted or what ever! WTF?!?
Dawnieangel76 1 year ago
These ridiculous examples of "high cuisine" are exactly why I would never pay for the "PRESTIGE" of eating somewhere fancy. I like buffets; I get to eat exactly what I want, and the price is almost always an unbelievable deal...especially Asian buffets.
Duncan 1 year ago
How can a 'chef' make something like this with a straight face, they are mostly just insulting.
David Harris 1 year ago
Surely at this point they're just taking the p**s/seeing how far they can push things??
Iridian 1 year ago
I just want awesome tasting food that is served on obviously clean dishes without all of the ridiculous gimmicks. Put the creativity into the taste and look of the dish, but in a beautiful- not disgusting or otherwise off-putting- way. I thought Michelin stars meant culinary talent, not nonsense. I would have sent all of the above 'dishes' back, requested refunds, and left immediately.
Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago
Just when you thought "fine dining" couldn't possibly get more absurd...
Biliegh they/them 1 year ago
My takeaway, they just pass out stars to anyone, never trust the stars and these chefs are ding bats.
Rachel Reynolds 1 year ago
Ahis confirms I'll never eat anywhere rated higher than Applebees. The food may be mediocre, but it's on a plate and there's lots of it.
gerard julien 1 year ago
so they tell you they are michelin starred restaurants and you all believe it ! why don't they give the names of these restaurants ? No questioning at all about the veracity of these posts ? something's fishy here.
DJR 1 year ago (edited)
What do you expect when a tire company rates restaurants just so you'll have a place to drive in order to need new tires? https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/history-of-the-michelin-guide-th
Load More Replies... Miocha 1 year ago
All I see is hygienic issues, too little portion, overpriced food. More like fraud to me. But yeah maybe because I'm too peasant who can't afford those fancy foods :D
Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago
The sad thing is there are people, some right here at BP, who'll defend this nonsense to their last breath and claim that people who see the scam for what it is just aren't "sophisticated" enough to appreciate it.
Load More Replies... Noname 1 year ago
I don't understand this fad of food art, and won't pay for it. There are a lot of Michelin starred establishments that earn the rating for consistency of quality of food, mastery of flavors and cooking technique, and holds a valid reason to visit the establishment for the previous reasons, and they don't serve food that looks like it should be in the MoMa. Jay Fai is a Thai street food vendor who has earned a Michelin rating specifically for her crab omelette. Her food isn't pretentious and the cost for the customer is equitable to the cost of the ingredients and labor. The best restaurants, in my opinion, don't rely on gimmicks like the ones shown in this article, but serve quality food made by competent chefs that you want to eat again and again, and can afford to eat again and again.
Noname 1 year ago (edited)
My favorite ramen restaurant in Paris is Higuma. There's generally a queue to get in. The interior is plain, the food (ramen, gyoza, tempura) is fantastic, the portions are generous and the price is affordable. I'd rather eat there than at any resto headed by Grant Achazt or Thomas Keller, or any of these "food artists". For comparison, the Subway sandwich chain calls their employees "sandwich artists", but never will you get a Subway sandwich that is "deconstructed" and served in dollops on rocks or salvaged wood.
Load More Replies... Delta Dawn 1 year ago
You know how zoos hide food in logs and up trees to provide enrichment for the animals? This is that, but for rich people.
Tambot 1 year ago
I like to think of myself as an open-minded person...buuuttttt... all of those meals are stupid. Sorry.
Saracynthiasylviasnout 1 year ago
That's all I could think of while reading this entire post.
Load More Replies... Ariadne Toms 1 year ago
I am blown away by this. Give me a 20.99 Parma and chips from the pub thanks....lovely little salad on the side with a balsamic vinaigrette and too much so need a doggy bag. Why would you buy this food?
Barbara Cochrane 1 year ago
My husband and I went to a very elegant restaurant here in downtown Chicago and they served actual FOOD. Not anything like this c**p. Get reviews before you spend big bucks on these so called restaurants. I think they are just scams.
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
Most of this is pretentious c**p. I do not want my food served on a straw hat which cleanliness and sterility are questionable. I'm not interested in wasting my time trying to figure out which part of my dish is edible and which will break my dåmn teeth. If you serve me food in a shoe, I will throw it at your head. Food should look appetizing; it should not look like things which formerly were food at some point.
Sally Signup 1 year ago
The chefs at these restaurants must really enjoy getting paid to play with food.
T5n 1 year ago (edited)
I’ve been to a couple fancy restaurants and thankfully I haven’t seen anything this bad in person. Even the wine bar that I went to with a $90 tasting menu ($120 with the wine paring) didn’t have portions this small. In all honesty, the place had decent sized portions, excellent presentation and truly amazing flavors, and no gimmicky aspects of the serving.I’m a foodie who loves working with food and cocktails so I can be very critical of flavors. But having good flavors does not mean that a dish should be fully consumed in three bites!
Debra McGeorge 1 year ago
As a retired chef, I can attest to the fact that this limited group of idiots is an aberration, and not the norm. Our philosophy is that you eat with your eyes first, and I'd never consider anything so absurd. The fine dining restaurants I've been to would never consider pulling this c**p.
Sami-Jo Ross 1 year ago
When I go out to eat I am NOT going there for "atmosphere" or "presentation". If I'm shelling out that much cash I better be getting enough food that they're wheeling me out on a cart in a food coma!
Frances Pitchounetta 1 year ago
Sometimes catering is a pretentious field. Do you know this new restaurant trend in your country? Instead of writing the name of a dish in the menu (e.g. eggplant parmigiana, duck breast with blueberry sauce) with a presentation of the ingredients, they will just write the ingredients: cauliflower, eggplant, tomato, truffle, fleur de sel, oil. You don't even know what the plate is, if it's grilled, roasted or what ever! WTF?!?
Dawnieangel76 1 year ago
These ridiculous examples of "high cuisine" are exactly why I would never pay for the "PRESTIGE" of eating somewhere fancy. I like buffets; I get to eat exactly what I want, and the price is almost always an unbelievable deal...especially Asian buffets.
Duncan 1 year ago
How can a 'chef' make something like this with a straight face, they are mostly just insulting.
David Harris 1 year ago
Surely at this point they're just taking the p**s/seeing how far they can push things??
Iridian 1 year ago
I just want awesome tasting food that is served on obviously clean dishes without all of the ridiculous gimmicks. Put the creativity into the taste and look of the dish, but in a beautiful- not disgusting or otherwise off-putting- way. I thought Michelin stars meant culinary talent, not nonsense. I would have sent all of the above 'dishes' back, requested refunds, and left immediately.
Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago
Just when you thought "fine dining" couldn't possibly get more absurd...
Biliegh they/them 1 year ago
My takeaway, they just pass out stars to anyone, never trust the stars and these chefs are ding bats.
Rachel Reynolds 1 year ago
Ahis confirms I'll never eat anywhere rated higher than Applebees. The food may be mediocre, but it's on a plate and there's lots of it.
gerard julien 1 year ago
so they tell you they are michelin starred restaurants and you all believe it ! why don't they give the names of these restaurants ? No questioning at all about the veracity of these posts ? something's fishy here.
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