World's most expensive curry launched in London

Amid recession and dwindling restaurant revenues, a prominent Indian restaurant in London has launched what is billed as the 'world's most expensive curry' priced at 2,000 pounds a portion.

The upmarket Bombay Brasserie, owned by Taj Hotels, announced the new dish called 'Samundari Khazana' to coincide with the DVD launch of Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. The dish is a mix of caviar, sea snails, a whole lobster and slices of edible gold.

Chefs at Bombay Brasserie are confident that the new dish will find many takers, but experts are unsure. Andy Morris wrote in GQ, "No dish, no matter whether it's coated in precious metal or has so many lobsters it looks like Aquaman's breakfast, can justify such vast expense".

"The problem is it cheapens the restaurant experience: in a hotly contested field, the Brasserie is one of the best Indian restaurants in London but by including such a preposterous item on the menu, they risk overshadowing the good work they do in the kitchen."

But chef Prahlad Hegde said, "There are still people out there with money to spend and this curry is a real experience."

"The idea is from a basic Indian recipe I got from my mum but we are using the finest ingredients in the world." Hegde said.