Yeah, the money and all, but really, the wine cellar first and foremost:
Last year, Kurniawan flew Julian Serrano, executive chef at Picasso in Las Vegas’ Bellagio hotel, and his kitchen staff to Los Angeles for a dinner party for 20 of his friends. His prerenovation Bel Air house, he realized too late, wasn’t equipped to handle the elaborate meal Serrano planned to create. So Kurniawan paid Josiah Citrin, chef-owner of Mélisse in Santa Monica, to allow Serrano to clear out part of the restaurant’s kitchen so he could make the dinner there.
There was 1962 Moët & Chandon brut Champagne to go with a wild rice cake topped with caviar. Magnums of 1978 Henri Jayer Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux were paired with roasted pigeon. Magnums of 1947 Pommery & Greno Champagne accompanied mascarpone gnocchi with Alba truffles. Double-magnums of 1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild were opened to drink with the Kobe beef. The final flourish: the 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc that Kurniawan bought at Christie’s for $75,000 a case.
At other tables, clothing magnate Georges Marciano, film director James L. Brooks, celebrity photographer Phil Ramey, entertainment attorney Howard Weitzman and movie producer Arthur Sarkissian nibbled the free sushi and truffle-oil-flavored popcorn while they sipped the free Champagne.
This is even more insane than spending 75 grand on a case of wine.
nah, probably the cheapest thing there—a little goes a long way. like, i would do that. in fact, i’m gonna do that.
He’s really quite the rebel...
It’s guys like this who are pricing me out of the rare wine market.
Also I’m sure the ’49 Chateau Cheval Blanc is better than the ’47...
Kurniawan plans to go into the retail wine business.
Hopefully he will find clients as mad for wine as he is.
It seems to me he IS in the wine business...
“Though he’s culled his old wine collection, selling off duplicates in two recent Acker Merrall sales that grossed $35.4 million, he continues to buy entire cellars directly from other collectors as well as at auction”
Years I’ve been here and I still can’t do italics...
Well, yes, but that’s not really retail business, now is it? Then again he’ll probably sell less rare wines and keep the best for himself (and his *friends*)?
truffle-oil-flavored popcorn
i’m going to try this tonight.