Menu items that just scare you....

[roosterchef21]

Saw these on a menu the other day. Thought I might post it and see what other questionable stuff people have seen... Some of these scare me just a little. Would have to be a genius in the kitchen to get some of these to work...

Orzo Pasta, NT Crocodile, Mudcrab, Scallop & Wagyu Beef Cheek stack w abalone sauce

Roasted Wagyu Rump Cap w Tian of scallops, spiced avocado & tomato salsa w lemon & mustard vinaigrette

Charred Cutlets of Lamb w Buffalo Yoghurt, Blistered Tomato, Olives, Artichoke, Basil & Raspberry Vingaigrette

[Nayan Gowda]

That first one sounds like they're clearing out a very upmarket fridge.

Where is the menu from?

[roosterchef21]

Cha Cha Char in Brisbane, Australia. Had a look because I haven't been there in years. Not ever going to go back.

[roosterchef21]

The funny thing is, with the first one, the croc, crab and abalone are only on the menu once. On this dish! They are actually ordering the stuff in! Abalone! OMG!

[Andrew Fenton]

That first one sounds like they're clearing out a very upmarket fridge.

Or a very strange zoo...

[John Rosevear]

The lamb sounds pretty good, like an arty riff on Greek standards. The first one sounds... ridiculous, and the second one sounds like they got some sort of deal on a truckload of scallops and are kind of desperate to use them up.

[HungryC]

Charred Cutlets of Lamb w Buffalo Yoghurt, Blistered Tomato, Olives, Artichoke, Basil & Raspberry Vingaigrette

The words "charred" and "blistered" appearing together don't make me think of a delicious dish, but rather a fiery kitchen accident.

[Lisa Shock]

'Charred' made me think of a crime scene instead of a delightfully delicious dinner. 'Blistered' reinforced the crime scene scenario...

[haresfur]

Charred Cutlets of Lamb w Buffalo Yoghurt, Blistered Tomato, Olives, Artichoke, Basil & Raspberry Vingaigrette

How do you milk a buffalo? Water buffalo maybe? Or maybe the question should be why would you milk a buffalo? Educate me please.

[Lisa Shock]

Charred Cutlets of Lamb w Buffalo Yoghurt, Blistered Tomato, Olives, Artichoke, Basil & Raspberry Vingaigrette

How do you milk a buffalo? Water buffalo maybe? Or maybe the question should be why would you milk a buffalo? Educate me please.

I am guessing that this is the same sort of milk that is used for the highly prized Mozzarella di bufala campana, buffalo mozzarella, which is made from the milk of water buffalo.

[Tri2Cook]

I don't know. I mean absolutely no offense to anyone when I say this but, with eGullet being the hub for the culinary adventurous to gather and discuss things that it is, there are a lot of surprisingly conservative views towards food and food wording. "Charred culets of lamb" is too descriptive and off-putting but a simple "cutlets of lamb" would be deemed not descriptive enough. We want to know how it's prepared! "We're serving scallops with the beef." Well they must have an overstock of scallops they want to get rid of, nobody else would do that. "Buffalo yoghurt" is silly but "buffalo mozzarella" is fine.

I'm honestly not trying to start an argument here. I think it's just an impossible task for a chef to word a menu so that it will make everybody happy. I personally love the Alinea style which would render that dish as Lamb - Yoghurt - Tomato - Artichoke or something similar but that would undoubtedly bring on a whole list of complaints as well since it tells nothing about the preparation.

And, for the record, I agree that the first dish sounds a bit insane. I don't know if it would scare me or tempt me... just out of curiosity.

[Prawncrackers]

The first one sounds like a powerboat accident on a plate! NT Crocodile, Northern Territories? I like the touch of provenance in that description but is it the saltwater or freshwater croc? Big flavour difference I hear

You have such a bountiful supply of tropical seafood in Australia but it seems that this chef has either become very blasé about the ingredients or has just lost respect for them completely.

The other two sound on the acceptable side of eclectic, just.

[Andrew Fenton]

I don't know. I mean absolutely no offense to anyone when I say this but, with eGullet being the hub for the culinary adventurous to gather and discuss things that it is, there are a lot of surprisingly conservative views towards food and food wording. "Charred culets of lamb" is too descriptive and off-putting but a simple "cutlets of lamb" would be deemed not descriptive enough. We want to know how it's prepared! "We're serving scallops with the beef." Well they must have an overstock of scallops they want to get rid of, nobody else would do that. "Buffalo yoghurt" is silly but "buffalo mozzarella" is fine.

The problem with "charred cutlets of lamb" isn't overdescription, it's bad description. "Grilled" or even "char-grilled" would be okay, but "charred" just sounds burned and unappetizing. Ditto the "blistered tomato", which sounds like it needs a course of antibiotics; I'm guessing that "roasted tomato" would be equally descriptive, and more appetizing.

[pax]

With respect, I venture to guess the difference between tempting and off-putting in the original post in terms of language (vs ingredients) is American English vs Austalian English, which are two wildly varying things.

If someone told me they had a beautifully blistered pepper I'd be right there with my balsamic and buffalo milk mozz...

[pax]

How do you milk a buffalo?

You ask it very nicely.

And for mozzarella cheese.

Yoghurt is just spoiled milk as far as I'm concerned.

[Tri2Cook]

I'll concede that it's subjective but the word "charred" is not off-putting to me at all. In my opinion (which I realize is not the only opinion that matters), it's ok to assume a certain amount of common sense from people. Does anybody really think the word "charred" on a menu means they plan to severely burn the item and send it out? If you were, say, at the French Laundry and it said "charred cutlets of lamb" on the menu, would you expect a lump of lamb charcoal to appear before you? Understand that I'm not trying to dictate what others should find off-putting, I'm just suggesting that thinking a little deeper than the initial reaction might relieve the fear. I've never seen/heard a complaint about the word "blackened" on a cajun/creole menu but does that really sound like an appetizing desciption of what is a very tasty preparation method?

[roosterchef21]

Spoke to a mate today and he went there a few days ago (Thursday). Had the lamb and it was quite literally charred. Apparently it was bitter and chalky. He wasn't sure whether they botched it or not but he hated it.

[Tri2Cook]

Figures... I try to stick up for creativity in menu writing and it turns out they're actually sending out chunks of lamb charcoal. Oh well, not the first time I've been wrong.

[roosterchef21]

LOL! I'm pretty sure that has happened to just about everyone on here! I think we all get your point if that's any consolation?

[paulraphael]

Even if the lamb hadn't been incinerated ... I think the problem is what's already been pointed out: "charred" and "blistered" in the same line. Shifts the imagery from the grill to the trauma ward.

I like to spoof writing like this, but sometimes there's nothing more you can do.

[teapot]

I'm reviving this thread in order to share this scary salad from a restaurant in Idaho:

Beet and Poached Pear Salad: Mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, radish, feta cheese, candied peanuts, champagne mango vinaigrette.

[heidih]

I'm reviving this thread in order to share this scary salad from a restaurant in Idaho:

Beet and Poached Pear Salad: Mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, radish, feta cheese, candied peanuts, champagne mango vinaigrette.

Hhmmm - I like salt and sweet together so the concept odes not scare me but the execution would have to be excellent. Beet blood leaching into pear - no not pretty.

[Panaderia Canadiense]

For me, the scariest thing isn't on any high-end menu, but instead is available at most truckstops along the sierra: Caldo de Manguera.

Literally, this translates as "hose soup" but in reality it's a boiled bull's unmentionables, with potatoes.

Eek. :blink:

[tikidoc]

Literally, this translates as "hose soup" but in reality it's a boiled bull's unmentionables, with potatoes.

I just read your post to my husband. I think I just ruined his evening.