Want to make a dish a little more opulent, a little more expensive? Put a gold leaf on it. Whether it's uber-romantic desserts, overpriced martinis or flashy decor, gold leaf can be found lurking at several Washington restaurants. Since gold leaf basically tastes like nothing, it's flash that these places are adding with the ingredient. The sluggish economy has led to the retirement of some gold leaf accented dishes (R.I.P, BLT Steak's Burger for the 1%) but others live on.
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Eater's Unnecessary Use of Gold Leaf Map

Society Fair
Society Fair offers a brownie garnished with gold leaf on special occasions and for VIP guests for $6.
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The Jefferson Hotel
At the Jefferson Hotel, VIP guests can have a seat in the The Birds Nest nook. There, guests can experience a dessert known as The Nest. For $550 dollars, you get a 5-inch tall, all-edible Gold-Flecked White Chocolate Egg, filled with a dollop of Chantilly Cream, snow-white Meringues, a variety of fresh berries, a mix of sorbets and a nest of cotton candy with an essence of citrus.
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Seasons | Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC
Two desserts at Seasons have gold leaf: a vanilla macaroon with gold leaf on top and dusted with gold shimmer, and a Jamaican Rum Cake decorated with drizzles of fondant and gold leaf shimmer.
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Assaggi Mozzarella Bar
At Assaggi, try the Risotto del Marchese, a creamy saffron risotto with edible golden leaf topped with a dusting of licorice.
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Minibar
Gold leaf is reflected in interior of the domes that figure into the new Minibar's design. The restaurant also served a Mayan Hot Chocolate with mezcal and gold leaf during its end of the world-themed celebrations in December.
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Sax
Gold leaf is all over the interior of Sax, though the restaurant has retired the cocktails that used to feature the garnish.
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Serendipity 3 DC
Serendipity 3 has a crazy $1,000 sundae that's garnished with gold leaf. Someone actually has ordered one at the D.C. location. The menu item requires 48 hours advance notice to order.
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Kellari Taverna
Kellari Taverna made headlines a couple years ago with its $100 martini made from Remy Martin’s Louis XIII Cognac at $2000 a bottle and 150-year-old Grand Marnier, along with some gold leaf for garnish. A spokesperson for the restaurant wasn't sure whether it was still on the bar menu, but it's always worth a try.
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