Somewhere in upstate western New York, Teressa Bellissimo – who is credited with inventing Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar in 1964 – is rolling over in her grave.
In a food offense that’s more egregious than calling a hot dog a sandwich, putting ketchup on a hot dog or dipping pizza in hot sauce, a New York City sports bar is bastardizing Bellissimo’s beautiful culinary creation by serving up Buffalo wings that are covered in 24-karat gold.
Released at The Ainsworth’s two Manhattan locations earlier this week, the gold-dusted wings are a collaboration between the bar and Jonathan Cheban, aka Foodgod, a chef who has appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
In a post on Instagram advertising the decadent dish, Cheban notes the “most expensive and insanely tasting 24k Gold Wings in the world exclusively available at The Ainsworth.”
From that, are we to infer that there are cheaper and less “insanely tasting” wings being served up at other establishments? For all that is good and hot-sauced, we sincerely hope not.
As for The Ainsworth’s wings, the pricey poultry pieces are soaked in a mixture of butter and chipotle and honey batter for 24 hours and then sprinkled with gold flakes before being served.
Priced at 10 pieces for $30, 20 for $60 or 50 plus a bottle of Champagne Armand de Brignac for $1,000, the only thing Cheban’s wings have in common with Bellissimo’s is they go well with blue cheese.
Check out Cheban eating his funky chicken below.
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