It is part store, part restaurant, part soda fountain and part coffee house. The legendary Serendipity 3 was founded in 1954 by Stephen Bruce and his two partners, Calvin Holt and Preston "Patch" Caradine. They came from the island Serendip, now known as Sri Lanka.

In the 60's Andy Warhol really helped put the place on the map. He would stop in often and hang out and sketch and sip coffee. Owner Stephen Bruce explains, "Andy wanted to be in a very comfortable surrounding. Serendipity happened to be very, very comfortable, very charming, and Andy felt free enough to do anything he wanted. He would stay for hours and invite friends to come by."

The restaurant is known for its great food and even better desserts. The dessert it is most famous for its Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. It's an icy-chocolate confection served in an enormous fishbowl-shaped goblet, garnished with a mound of fresh whipped cream and shaved chocolate, and accompanied by a mixing spoon and two straws. This frosty, velvety-smooth creation is made from no fewer than 14 kinds of chocolate and exotic cocoas, ground into a rich slush. Only $8.50!

This recipe was always top secret until the restaurant turned 50 years old. Of course, yours will not taste the same, but it's close! You can buy their exclusive mix online (see below).

The food at Serebdipity is very afforadable. Burgers and sandwhiches  $9-$14.  Pastas  $15-$20. Omlettes $10-$15. But if you REALLY want to splurge, last year they unvieled the most expensive dessert in the world. The $25,000 Frrozen Haute Chocolate, 28 cocoas infused with edible 23-karat gold , served in a goblet with a diamond bracelet  at its base!


If you left your  black AMEX at home and don't want to spend quite that much, they offer a Golden Opulence sundae for $1,000. The restaurant's golden opulence sundae is covered in 23-carat edible gold leaf and is also rich in flavor thanks to Tahitian vanilla ice cream infused with Madagascar vanilla beans and chunks of rare Chuao chocolate from Venezuela.

In lieu of Hershey's syrup and a maraschino cherry, this sundae is drizzled with one of the world's most expensive chocolates, from Amedei Porcelana, and then adorned with candied fruits, gold covered almonds, chocolate truffles and marzipan cherries.

The dish also features a dollop of sweet Grande Passion caviar served with a mother of pearl spoon and a gilded sugar flower. The whole shebang looks as good as it tastes, served in a Baccarat crystal goblet (yours to keep) with an 18-carat gold spoon (not included). 48 hour notice is required to order these 2 special sundaes.



Stars from past and  present that are known for loving the delicious dessert include Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, Grace Kelly,
Cary Grant, The Duchess of Windsor, Cher, Diana Ross,  Nicole Kidman, Courtney Love, Meg Ryan, and Oprah Winfrey. Just last month Tom and Katie popped in, as did Paris Hilton,   and  Lance Armstrong.