To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its legendary
(and groundbreaking) fragrance Aromatics Elixir, Clinique held a
'Scent Dinner' at the Corinthia Hotel's Massimo's Restaurant and
Oyster Bar. None other than esteemed fragrance writer (ex scent
critic of the New York Times) and director and co-curator of the
Center of Olfactory Art at the Museum of Arts and Design in New
York, collaborated with head chef Massimo Riccioli on a 'fantasy
menu' which would endeavour to recreate for the palate something
akin to the sensory experience of smelling some of Aromatics
Elixir's individual notes, prompting the question 'what do smells
taste like?'. The results were fascinating: Absolute of Bran was
transmuted into Chamomile Bread; Myrrh became beef seared in smoked
tea and Geranium was re-envisioned as a desert of Rambutan, Raw
Rhubarb, Mint and Gewurztraminer reduction. It was heavenly and
mind-blowing: just as the perfect meal should be. Scent dinners are
not commonplace in the UK as they are in France and, thanks to Mr
Burr, increasingly so in NY, but we hope they soon will be.
The Clinique Aromatics Elixir 40th Anniversary Limited Edition
collection is available now and includes Perfume Spray, £60;
Perfumer's Reserve, £80; and Solid Perfume Necklace,
£50