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<keyword id="6357961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Odisha" source="Orion">Odisha</keyword>, located on the eastern coast of India, is not only known for its rich cultural heritage and ancient temples but also for its delectable cuisine. Influenced by its diverse geography and cultural heritage, Odisha's culinary landscape offers a tantalizing array of flavors and textures. From mouthwatering street snacks to elaborate seafood delicacies, here are some of the best foods to try when visiting Odisha. Pakhala Bhata A quintessential dish of Odisha, Pakhala Bhata is a traditional preparation of fermented rice soaked in water and seasoned with ingredients like mustard seeds, cumin, and curry leaves. It is often served with accompaniments like fried or boiled vegetables, fish fry, or pickles. Chhena Poda A sweet treat from the state, Chhena Poda is a delectable dessert made from fresh cottage cheese (chhena), sugar, and cardamom. The mixture is baked until it turns golden brown, resulting in a caramelized crust with a soft, creamy center. Machha Besara Odisha's coastal cuisine is incomplete without Machha Besara, a flavorful fish curry made with mustard paste, turmeric, garlic, and green chilies. The tangy and spicy gravy pairs perfectly with steamed rice, offering a delightful burst of flavors. Dahi Bara Aloo Dum A popular street food snack, Dahi Bara Aloo Dum consists of soft lentil dumplings (bara) soaked in seasoned yogurt (dahi) and served with spicy potato curry (aloo dum). Topped with tamarind chutney, roasted cumin powder, and chopped coriander, it is a perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Khaja A crispy, flaky dessert that melts in your mouth, Khaja is made from refined flour, ghee, and sugar syrup. It is often flavored with cardamom or saffron and garnished with chopped nuts. Khaja is a must-try sweet during festivals and special occasions in Odisha. Santula A simple yet flavorful vegetarian dish, Santula is made with a variety of seasonal vegetables like pumpkin, brinjal, and drumsticks cooked with mustard paste, panch phoron (five spices), and grated coconut. It is a staple part of the Odia thali and is known for its light and comforting taste. Biri Bara A crunchy and savory snack, Biri Bara is made from soaked and ground black gram lentils mixed with spices like ginger, garlic, and green chilies. The batter is shaped into small discs and deep-fried until golden brown, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. Rasabali Another delightful dessert from Odisha, Rasabali features deep-fried flattened cottage cheese patties soaked in sweetened thickened milk flavored with cardamom and saffron. Garnished with chopped nuts, it is a rich and indulgent treat that satisfies the sweet tooth. Mutton Kassa A favorite among meat lovers, Mutton Kassa is a spicy and aromatic mutton curry cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, and a blend of ground spices. It is best enjoyed with steamed rice or roti, offering a burst of flavors with every bite. Ghugni Chaat A popular street food snack, Ghugni Chaat features dried yellow peas cooked with spices like cumin, coriander, and chili powder, and served topped with chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and tangy tamarind chutney. It is a flavorful and satisfying snack enjoyed by people of all ages. Exploring the culinary delights of Odisha is not just about satisfying hunger; it's a journey of discovering the rich flavors, cultural diversity, and culinary traditions that make this state a gastronomic paradise. So, when you visit Odisha, be sure to indulge your taste buds in these mouthwatering dishes for a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

Exploring Odisha's culinary delights: A gastronomic journey through the land of temples

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Welcome back! Remember the chicken sandwich wars between fast-food restaurants a few years ago? Chicken tenders are the new battleground, and casual dining chains and chicken brands are getting in on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chicken-tenders-war-kfc-chilis-perdue-gearing-up-2024-10">what's viewed as a big business opportunity</a>.In today's big story, the first of our five-part refresher series on the potential impact Donald Trump and Kamala Harris presidencies could have on US consumers. First up: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/market-impact-presidential-election-scenarios-trump-harris-stocks-bonds-crypto-2024-10">your investments</a>.What's on deck:<ul><li>Markets: JPMorgan is adding junior bankers <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jpmorgan-investment-bank-boosting-junior-banker-hiring-analysts-associates-2024-10">in preparation for an M&amp;A frenzy</a>.</li><li>Tech: Apple has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-announcing-major-mac-updates-ai-rollout-earnings-week-2024-10">a lot on the line this week</a>.</li><li>Business: Two giant newspapers trying to avoid the political fray <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/washington-post-donald-trump-kamala-harris-endorsement-bezos-why-matters-2024-10">created an even bigger mess</a>.</li></ul>But first, how's my portfolio looking?If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today">sign up here.</a><h3 id="7fa5f018-5b05-4a37-a8dc-d3f89138bcb3">The big story</h3><h2 id="5fd547b9-ec52-41fc-8e08-4f4b27dd8097">Voting for stocks</h2><div type="image" title="Harris and Trump." height="1200" width="2400" msid="114696604" hostid="261" sizebytes="311624"></div>They say the stakes have never been higher for this year's election. The same could be said for the impact on your investment portfolio.Business Insider's Matthew Fox detailed how Wall Street sees former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/market-impact-presidential-election-scenarios-trump-harris-stocks-bonds-crypto-2024-10">affecting the investment landscape</a> if they win the White House.The story is part of a five-part refresher series BI compiled for election season's final days. The goal is to help readers understand the impact both candidates could have on US consumers. Each day, we'll have a new story unpacking a different area.The economy is always a key focus for voters, and the strength or weakness of financial markets significantly influences how people view it.One of the biggest areas where Harris and Trump differ is their proposed tax policies, which are believed to have big impacts on stocks.According to Bank of America, Trump's plan to cut the corporate tax rate to 15% from 21% will boost earnings by 4%. On the other hand, Harris is looking to raise that tax rate to 28%, which would lead to a 5% earnings hit, according to the bank.Trump's universal tariffs proposal is also viewed as having a big impact. His supporters say it's a pro-business move that will boost corporate growth and deals. Critics say it'll raise inflation, which will drag stocks down.<div type="image" title="gold bar hand holding 4x3" height="1500" width="2000" msid="114696606" hostid="261" sizebytes="409846"></div>Sometimes, the impact isn't as straightforward as it might seem.Trump's pro-drilling stance might be viewed as a win for the energy sector. But that could lead to oversupply and lower prices, BNY Wealth said. And under Trump's previous presidential campaign, energy was the worst-performing sector.While Democrats largely favor wind and solar energy, the clean-energy sector has tanked under President Joe Biden after skyrocketing during Trump's tenure. (It has outperformed more recently as Harris made gains in election polls.)Others believe <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-election-impact-outlook-harris-trump-energy-tesla-biden-2024-10">it might not matter to the markets who wins</a>. Artificial intelligence remains the market's major force, driving the most volatility for stocks.Another corner of the market, albeit much less cutting-edge, is incredibly hot and positioned to keep thriving: gold. The metal hit all-time highs last week and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gold-price-record-high-became-etf-interest-rates-trump-costco-2024-10">has outperformed stock prices since October 2022</a>.The precious metal has benefited recently from a trifecta of bullish forces: the Fed's rate cut, rising geopolitical tensions, and the prospect of an inflationary Trump presidency. But it's a good bet no matter who wins the election, according to Interactive Brokers chief strategist Steve Sosnick.<h3 id="77f31a4c-8462-4e3d-a71f-838cb79493fb">News brief</h3><h2 id="1fcd294b-3f53-425f-9f20-4093e8623b59">Top headlines</h2><ul><li>He gave up everything to fight for Ukraine. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/andrew-webber-american-lawyer-left-us-fight-ukraine-war-russia-2024-10">His family is still trying to figure out why</a>.</li><li>VMware customers are seeing massive late fees <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vmware-customers-price-hike-late-fees-broadcom-acquisition-2024-10">since Broadcom acquired the company</a>.</li><li>Reddit's CEO sees an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reddit-google-search-ceo-steve-huffman-2024-10">opening against Google on search</a>.</li><li>Tiger Grandcubs on AI: How investors Dan Sundheim and Mala Gaonkar are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiger-grandcubs-dan-sundheim-mala-gaonkar-ai-investing-opportunities-2024-10">thinking about investing in the space</a>.</li><li>Tesla is offering a Cybertruck accessory <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-offers-cybertruck-accessory-lightbar-cannot-fully-install-elon-musk-2024-10">that it can't fully install</a>.</li></ul><h2 id="8120060b-ae66-48dc-b149-f0489a30ffa2">3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="A Bald Eagle with talons extended landing on a upward trending graph line surrounded by falling money" height="1500" width="2000" msid="114696609" hostid="261" sizebytes="161920"></div><ol><li>The US economy avoided a crash, but it's not out of the woods. Economist Neil Dutta said a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/america-avoided-recession-layoffs-job-market-gdp-stock-market-2024-10">weakening job market remains a risk for the economy</a>. He pointed to the growing number of consumers viewing jobs as being hard to come by versus those that think they are plentiful, and drops in hiring and quit rates.</li><li>JPMorgan: Young bankers wanted. The largest US bank is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jpmorgan-investment-bank-boosting-junior-banker-hiring-analysts-associates-2024-10">looking to add investment banking analysts and associates</a> despite the fourth quarter typically being slow for bank hiring. The recruitment comes ahead of the expected resurgence of M&amp;A activity.</li><li>Wall Street has been tasked with determining OpenAI's worth. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are reportedly working on establishing a valuation for the startup as part of its potential shift to a for-profit company. Here's what that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-valuation-process-goldman-sachs-morgan-stanley-fees-2024-10">lengthy, complex process would look like</a>.</li></ol><h2 id="f4b54806-7f81-450c-ba32-92560d4fae9b">3 things in tech</h2><div type="image" title="A twitter bird with worms in its mouth" height="1000" width="2000" msid="114696605" hostid="261" sizebytes="24240"></div><ol><li>X still marks the spot. Some Twitter users mourned the social media platform after Elon Musk acquired it and renamed it X. In response, various challengers have attempted to rival X, but <a target="_blank" href="https://businessinsider.com/twitter-x-elon-musk-startup-competitition-town-square-election-2024-10">none have been able to knock the platform off its throne</a>.</li><li>It's a big week for Apple. In addition to reporting earnings on Thursday, Apple is expected to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-announcing-major-mac-updates-ai-rollout-earnings-week-2024-10">introduce software and hardware updates</a> to its tech lineup this week. Its long-awaited Apple Intelligence is scheduled to launch with iOS 18.1. Plus, a marketing exec teased something new for Macs.</li><li>VCs are breaking a long-standing taboo. Venture firms have long adhered to an unspoken rule: Don't invest in competitors. However, that norm is disappearing as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vcs-are-hedging-their-bets-backing-competing-llms-2024-10">investors pour billions into competing LLMs like Anthropic and OpenAI</a>.</li></ol><h2 id="9260fa45-d397-4b3c-b4f8-4bb193976216">3 things in business</h2><div type="image" title="A man holding a ladder and walking away from others climbing ladders" height="1803" width="3606" msid="114696603" hostid="261" sizebytes="551808"></div><ol><li>The end of American careerism. Rather than climb the corporate ladder, workers are now choosing to descend it. A promotion was once the pinnacle of the American dream, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/careerist-corporate-ladder-decline-promotions-work-ethic-american-dream-2024-10">but many professionals are turning them down</a> — and no longer deem the trade-offs worth it.</li><li>Elon Musk is going "founder mode" for MAGA. The Tesla CEO's all-in intensity to get Donald Trump elected reflects how he runs his companies. He's spent just under $119 million on his pro-Trump PAC and shows no signs of slowing down — though <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-donald-trump-support-reflects-business-approach-tesla-2024-10">it's unclear whether it will make a difference</a> at the ballot.</li><li>Sometimes, saying nothing is still saying something. The Washington Post and the LA Times just stepped into <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/washington-post-donald-trump-kamala-harris-endorsement-bezos-why-matters-2024-10/">a bigger political mess than the one they tried to avoid</a>. The billionaire-owned papers said they wouldn't endorse a political candidate in the final days before the election. Some, including those within the newsrooms, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/washington-post-staff-revolt-presidential-endorsement-2024-10">interpreted the moves as pandering to Donald Trump</a>. Michele Norris, a columnist at The Washington Post, is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/washington-post-columist-michele-norris-resigns-endorsement-kamala-harris-2024-10">the latest staffer to resign</a> over the newspaper's decision.</li></ol><h2 id="9f5d80ac-3466-429f-a50a-2ffbb70c65ff">What's happening today</h2><ul><li>Ford Motors and other companies report earnings.</li><li>The MLB World Series continues with the LA Dodgers at New York Yankees.</li><li>Forbes publishes its "Top Creators" list of most powerful influencers.</li></ul>The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York. Milan Sehmbi, fellow, in London.

Wall Street braces for a Trump or Harris presidency. Here's what that means for your portfolio.

<keyword id="19896313" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="andhra-pradesh" source="keywords">Andhra Pradesh</keyword>, a state known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions, also boasts a diverse and delectable culinary scene. With a blend of fiery spices, aromatic herbs, and fresh ingredients, Andhra Pradesh offers a gastronomic experience that tantalizes the taste buds and leaves a lasting impression on anyone fortunate enough to sample its delights. Here's a guide to some of the best foods to try in Andhra Pradesh: <keyword id="159461" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hyderabadi-Biryani" source="Orion">Hyderabadi Biryani</keyword> Although Hyderabad is now part of Telangana, its influence on Andhra Pradesh's culinary landscape is undeniable. Hyderabadi Biryani, a fragrant rice dish cooked with marinated meat (usually chicken or mutton) and infused with spices like saffron, cardamom, and cloves, is a must-try. This dish reflects the rich culinary heritage of the region and is often served with raita (yogurt sauce) and mirchi ka salan (a spicy chili curry). <keyword id="12310794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gongura-Pachadi" source="Orion">Gongura Pachadi</keyword> Gongura, also known as sorrel leaves, is a staple in Andhra cuisine. Gongura Pachadi is a tangy chutney made from these leaves, flavored with mustard seeds, garlic, red chilies, and tamarind. It pairs perfectly with steamed rice and ghee, providing a burst of flavors with every bite. <keyword id="2646688" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pesarattu" source="Orion">Pesarattu</keyword> A popular breakfast dish in Andhra Pradesh, Pesarattu is a savory crepe made from green gram (moong dal) batter. It is typically served with Upma (a semolina-based dish) and ginger chutney. Pesarattu is not only nutritious but also a delicious way to start your day. <keyword id="20747916" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="royyala-iguru" source="keywords">Royyala Iguru</keyword> (Prawn Curry) With a long coastline, Andhra Pradesh offers an abundance of fresh seafood dishes, and Royyala Iguru is one of the highlights. This spicy prawn curry is cooked with onions, tomatoes, and a blend of traditional spices, creating a symphony of flavors that seafood lovers will appreciate. <keyword id="4193795" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Araku-Coffee" source="Orion">Araku Coffee</keyword> While not a food item per se, Araku Coffee deserves a mention for its exceptional quality and unique flavor profile. Grown in the picturesque Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh, this coffee is known for its smooth texture, fruity notes, and rich aroma. A cup of freshly brewed Araku Coffee is a must-try for coffee connoisseurs and anyone seeking a delightful caffeine fix. <keyword id="20747917" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mirapakaya-bajji" source="keywords">Mirapakaya Bajji</keyword> (Chili Fritters) Mirapakaya Bajji is a popular street food in Andhra Pradesh, especially during the monsoon season. Large green chilies are stuffed with a spicy masala, dipped in gram flour batter, and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. These fiery fritters are often served with a side of coconut chutney, offering a perfect balance of heat and flavor. <keyword id="20747915" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ulava-charu" source="keywords">Ulava Charu</keyword> (Horse Gram Stew) Ulava Charu is a traditional stew made from horse gram, a protein-rich legume. Slow-cooked with a medley of spices and herbs, this hearty stew is both nutritious and delicious. It is often served with rice or ragi mudde (finger millet balls), making it a comforting meal, especially during the colder months. <keyword id="7214752" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pootharekulu" source="Orion">Pootharekulu</keyword> No culinary journey through Andhra Pradesh would be complete without sampling Pootharekulu, a delicate and intricately layered sweet. Made from rice paper, ghee, sugar, and cardamom, this traditional sweet treat is a specialty of Atreyapuram in East Godavari district. Its unique texture and melt-in-your-mouth goodness make it a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Andhra Pradesh's culinary landscape is as diverse as its cultural heritage, offering a plethora of flavors and dishes to explore. From fiery curries to sweet delicacies, every bite tells a story of tradition, innovation, and a deep-rooted love for good food. So, whether you're a food enthusiast or a curious traveler, be sure to indulge in these mouthwatering delights on your next visit to Andhra Pradesh. Note: The article is based on content generated by AI models like Bard and Chatgpt.

8 Must try foods to try in Andhra Pradesh

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Viktor Bout is brokering weapons sales to Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, per The Wall Street Journal.</li><li>Bout was released in a prisoner swap for Brittney Griner after a decade in US custody.</li></ul>The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/viktor-bout-convicted-arms-dealer-russian-prison-swap-brittney-griner-2022-8">notorious Russian arms dealer</a>, who was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/merchant-death-viktor-bout-arms-dealer-russia-politics-britney-griner-2023-9">exchanged for US basketball star Brittney Griner</a> two years ago, is trying to sell weapons to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/putins-merchant-of-death-is-back-in-the-arms-business-this-time-selling-to-the-houthis-10b7f521">according to The Wall Street Journal.</a><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/viktor-bout-convicted-arms-dealer-russian-prison-swap-brittney-griner-2022-8">Viktor Bout,</a> sometimes dubbed the "Merchant of Death," was arrested in a US sting operation in 2008, having spent decades smuggling Soviet-made weapons from Europe to the Middle East and Africa.He was later convicted on multiple charges, including conspiracy to kill American citizens and officials and delivery of anti-aircraft missiles.After serving a decade in US custody, he was released in 2022 as part of a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-viktor-bout-brittney-griner-during-prisoner-swap-exchange-report-2022-12">high-profile prisoner swap</a> for Griner, who had been detained in Russia after bringing a small amount of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/brittney-griner-had-a-prescription-for-medical-marijuana-lawyers-say-2022-7">cannabis oil</a> into the country.Following his release, Bout appeared to have shifted his focus to politics, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/viktor-bout-joins-far-right-russian-party-could-run-for-parliament-2022-12">joining a pro-Kremlin ultranationalist party</a> and winning a local assembly seat.However, according to the Journal, he is back in the business of brokering arms deals — <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pentagon-fears-russias-viktor-bout-could-restart-old-arms-business-2022-12">a fear that Pentagon officials expressed</a> just days after his release.Citing sources familiar with the matter, including a European security official, the Journal reported that Bout was present at a negotiation in Moscow in August, in which the Houthis sought to negotiate the purchase of $10 million worth of automatic weapons.The sources told the publication that two Houthi representatives had traveled to Moscow under the cover of buying vehicles and pesticides.They told the Journal that they did not know if the deal was being negotiated on behalf of the Kremlin or just with its quiet support.The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.According to the people familiar with the matter speaking to the Journal, the deliveries, mostly of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-sniper-in-ukraine-prefer-soviet-rifles-easier-get-bullets-2024-4">AK-74s</a>, could start as early as October under the cover of food supplies.Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea since last year, though some attacks have targeted Israeli and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/houthi-rebels-say-downed-30m-reaper-drone-yemen-eighth-loss-2024-9">US military vessels</a>.The US and Western allies launched counterattacks to thwart these efforts, which have had major economic implications.According to an April Defense Intelligence Agency <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.dia.mil/Portals/110/Images/News/Military_Powers_Publications/YEM_Houthi-Attacks-Pressuring-International-Trade.pdf">report</a>, container shipping through the Red Sea has declined massively, alternative shipping routes are increasing voyage costs, and insurance premiums for Red Sea transits have spiked."Currently, we are seeing premiums as high as 2% on vessel value for a single Red Sea transit amid fluctuating insurer appetite," Louise Nevill, UK CEO, marine, cargo &amp; logistics, with broker Marsh, told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/red-sea-insurance-costs-soar-houthi-shipping-threats-loom-sources-say-2024-09-19/">Reuters</a> earlier this month. That's compared to a figure 0.7% just weeks earlier.In January, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-remarks-to-the-press-20/">told reporters at a press conference</a> that the Houthis' attacks on international shipping are "a threat to everyone."The Houthis have also launched drones and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/houthi-missile-israel-air-defense-system-iran-2024-9">missiles at Israel</a>, which they say is in support of Palestinians in Gaza.For months, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-may-arm-houthi-rebels-anti-ship-missiles-us-intel-2024-7">US intelligence agencies have warned</a> that Russia might <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-helping-houthis-try-secure-russia-ship-missiles-red-sea-2024-9">arm Houthi rebels with anti-ship missiles</a> in retaliation for US support for Ukraine, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-launches-effort-to-stop-russia-from-arming-houthis-with-antiship-missiles-98131a8a">according to the Journal.</a>"These attacks are having a real effect on the prices that people have to pay for food, for medicine, for energy," Blinken said. "Ships have to get diverted to other places, insurance rates go up, and the basic principle of freedom of navigation is what's at stake."While the weapons deal reportedly orchestrated by Viktor Bout does not involve anti-ship missiles, it would still represent a notable Russian intervention in the ongoing Red Sea crisis.

The Russian arms dealer who was exchanged for Brittney Griner is trying to sell weapons to the Houthis: report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Threads, the Twitter-like social app from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram">Instagram</a>, is full of engagement bait.</li><li>It seems like Threads prioritizes comments over reposts or likes, which isn't necessarily bad.</li></ul>Let me ask you something: Have you noticed that engagement bait questions are taking over your <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/threads-app">Threads</a> feed?Ha! Got ya!Sorry, sorry. But seriously, I've noticed it, too — and I have some ideas about what might be happening.I don't know exactly how the "For You" algorithm in Threads works, but I can make some guesses based on observations and a test I did over the past week using my own account. I'd wager that, right now, posts with a big number of comments are heavily weighted when it comes to what shows up in your feed.Using comments rather than shares as an indicator that a post is interesting isn't a new idea. (<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reddit-traffic-surges-from-google-search-2024-6">Reddit</a> works this way.) This isn't better or worse, but you can imagine how this ends up making a social platform look quite different from counting likes or shares.On <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-twitter">pre-Elon Twitter</a>, retweets were the main way a post would spread. This rewarded things like the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/revisiting-ellen-degeneres-oscars-selfie-10-years-its-aged-badly-2024-3">Ellen Oscar selfie</a>, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.theringer.com/tech/2023/4/12/23673003/dril-twitter-interview-profile-identity">Dril</a> jokes, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/charli_xcx/status/1815182384066707861">sweeping political statements</a>. You want to retweet a funny joke — not reply to it.But a personal anecdote asking for advice? You're compelled to reply.I wanted to test this out for myself on Threads. I made a handful of advice-seeking posts that purposely hit on subjects people feel strongly about: tipping, social etiquette, and parenting. Admittedly, my posts also veered into rage bait. I designed them to be so infuriating that people would be compelled to reply and tell me I was an idiot.On a side note, rage bait is having a moment right now. People have discovered that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-creators-rage-farm-on-tiktok-and-why-its-on-the-rise-2022-12">rage baiting is often the most efficient way to get attention online</a>, and on places like TikTok, where views can translate to dollars, it's a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-creators-rage-farm-on-tiktok-and-why-its-on-the-rise-2022-12">cottage industry</a>. I've seen rage-baiters use it for chaos, like a husband and wife who make TikToks inhabiting the characters of vapid and entitled parenting vloggers who go <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-viral-troll-christi-fritz-seth-fritz-barefoot-shoes-prank-2024-2">shoeless on the streets of Cleveland</a> to get the benefits of "grounding" their feet on the earth. I've seen an Instagrammer who recommends small businesses in Upstate New York purposely <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_VcOk9pDcl/">pronounce "bagel" as "beggle"</a> to enrage viewers and go viral. The most sublime and purely nihilistic rage bait I've seen was someone on X who said that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/timgill924/status/1802139178580242817">Phish is a right-wing band</a>, sending fans, celebrities, and even a member of Phish into a frenzy of angry replies.This kind of rage bait is effective and largely harmless. In the best light, it helps us reinforce our norms and feels cathartic to scold someone who breaks them. It's almost reverse trolling, where instead of harassing people, you're inviting them to harass you. (I don't necessarily recommend doing this if you still have part of your soul intact. Mine is long gone, so don't worry about me.)My experiment in engagement baiting by asking for advice was a success. Almost too successful — as of writing this, I'm still getting replies four days later on a post based on a classic tweet about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/swedengate-sweden-dinner-guests-food-b2091012.html">Swedes not offering food to guests</a>.A post I made about refusing to buy school supplies was appalling enough to reach the escape velocity of the Threads bubble.I saw a meme account on Instagram with 2 million followers post a screenshot of it. My best friend, a teacher in the New York City public schools, texted me a screenshot of the Facebook group for the NYC teachers' union where someone had posted the screenshot and said, "This is what we're up against in education today."I was horrified. Perhaps, I worried, I had gone a little too far.People who already followed me on Threads, where I usually post about tech news, could tell that I was joking. But for someone seeing these posts in their "For You" feed with no context about me, it seemed real. By the time these posts had spread so far that it was way, way outside the handful of people who knew I was clearly joking, I realized there was no reason for anyone to assume they were seeing some sort of satire. It's not so farfetched to imagine that someone on the internet is a massive asshole; we see that every day. It's not some sly feat to trick people into thinking that entitled jerks walk among us; they do.This did make me start to wonder if I was, in fact, some other form of entitled jerk. I wouldn't stiff a waiter on a tip, but I certainly would drain attention from someone who was pleasantly scrolling social media. Ah well, the moral implications are for me to work out while staring at my ceiling at 2 a.m.Rage bait and engagement bait can be rage-inducing but harmless when you come across a single post. But when that type of content is flooding your feed, it's annoying. It's also an easy play for people who seek to profit from engagement.When I asked a Meta rep what the company had to say about how Threads spreads viral content, the spokesperson said: "Replies are one of many signals our systems take into account when determining what posts to recommend to people, but it's not the most important one. What you see in your For You feed is personalized to you principally based on factors such as accounts and posts you have interacted with in the past on Threads, or how recently a post was made."<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-instagram-pay-for-engagement-threads-posts-creators-2024-4">Threads has a bonus program </a>where a select group of creators can earn cash payouts for posts with more than 2,500 views. It's not clear exactly who is part of this program, so you can't tell if that post asking for your favorite movie is really angling for a payout from Meta.I played around with engagement bait because I'm a tech journalist who writes about social media platforms and am curious about how Threads works. Other people do it more seriously, and I wanted to know what they've learned.So I reached out to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.threads.net/@rombesk/post/C_poLXtojjT?xmt=AQGzMeE49lFxQBa3dYKWSeq_91W_0pqQkRQpAe86_f4cLg">Roman Beskostõi</a>, a digital marketing manager in Estonia who is working on a challenge to get a billion views in 30 days for his Threads account. (He's getting close.) He posts multiple times a day to his 50,000 followers and has observed that there seems to be a compounding effect: If one post takes off, the following ones are more likely to as well.Beskostõi also reminded me of something I completely forgot: the Instagram crossover (which leads to even more context collapse). "If Threads sees that the post is viral and has great potential, then for a greater boost it can start showing your posts in the Instagram feed," he contends. "If you have noticed, in Instagram lately, between photos you can see the carousel of various posts from Threads."He also uses a well-trod but unsavory strategy: He copies and pastes other people's viral posts.Threads users themselves may be slightly to blame for why engagement bait is working so well. Threads seems to have a lot of users whose primary exposure to social media is Instagram. Nice, decent, normal people who still retain a shred of human decency and haven't blown out their dopamine receptors from years of shitposting on other, less-savory platforms. The fact that Threads users are not all brain-rotted Twitter refugees is probably a good thing overall! It also means that they're easy marks for engagement-baiters who are pulling out the same tricks they used on other platforms in the past.Look, Threads is just barely over a year old — still very wet cement. I can tell that tweaks and shifts are being made to how it works. It's also got a user base that's growing. (It's not even globally available yet.) Engagement bait may be taking over your feed today, but by next week or next month, it might be very different — and this phase will be a distant memory.For now, I promise no more rage bait. Enough people found me on other platforms or wrote me nasty emails that it isn't worth it. My experiment about how Threads works is finished. I'm done. Unless, of course, I think of a really good one.

Rage bait is all the rage on Threads — so I tried it. I'm sorry? 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Luke Collins is a fast-food reviewer. His TikTok, @lukefoods, has almost 750,000 followers.</li><li>Collins grew up as a fussy eater, but went viral this year trying Indian food for the first time.</li></ul>This as-told-to article is based on a conversation with Luke Collins, a 23-year-old fast-food reviewer from Kentucky who posts videos under the handle <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lukefoods">@lukefoods</a> on TikTok. It has been edited for length and clarity.Growing up, I was the pickiest eater. I hardly ate anything. I didn't even eat mashed potatoes.When I turned 16, I started trying new foods and my whole world got opened up. It took me quite a while to try sushi, but I love it – it's my favorite food now. I'm 23 and hadn't tried <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lukefoods/video/7289155190924660011">Indian food</a> until recently either. So there's so many things I haven't tried.My other favourite foods include butter chicken, Korean BBQ dishes, fajitas, and fettuccine Alfredo.<div type="image" title="Three photos showing Luke Collins, from the TikTok account @lukefoods, presenting and eating fast food" height="1500" width="3000" msid="106322473" hostid="261" sizebytes="120938"></div>The best meal I've ever had was at a hot chicken place called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-fast-food-la-howlin-rays-hot-chicken-sandwich-2020-1">Howlin' Ray's</a> in Los Angeles. I've tried the popular hot chicken places in Nashville and they were really good. But this one in Los Angeles just cleared everything.I got the chicken sandwich and the fries. They have the best chicken sandwich I've ever had in my life. It's massive and it's not that expensive and it's juicy, tender, very saucy. Everything's amazing.(Howlin' Ray's main chicken sandwich, the Sando, costs $13. An upgraded version, Sando 2.0, costs $16.)The fries were very crispy, very crunchy. There was so much seasoning on them.And then I actually got a lot more stuff there too. I spent over $100 at that place. It's my favorite restaurant. My favorite fast-food chain is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/daves-hot-chicken-review-photos-2023-1">Dave's Hot Chicken</a>. I love the slider it sells. My favorite thing is the seasoning the chain uses on their chicken. The nice soft bun, the creamy sauce, and the spicy chicken is delicious.I haven't cooked much lately because I've been traveling a lot but my goal is to get back into it now that I'm back home, try to cook at least once a week.I also love Jollibee. There's not too many of them in the US yet, but I tried it recently when I traveled and that was the best fast-food fried chicken I've ever had. I live in Kentucky, there's KFCs everywhere. Jollibee is better than KFC every day.Other standout fast-food meals include the burgers from Easy Street Burgers in Los Angeles and the meatball and Italian subs from Firehouse Subs.I grew up eating McDonald's, Taco Bell, stuff like that. So even if they're terrible for your body, they still hold a special place in my heart.I try to get loyalty accounts for the fast-food chains I visit, though I don't think they give out as many freebies as they used to.Earlier this year I tried escargot at a buffet in Las Vegas for the first time. The other food was amazing, but the snails were not for me. They were super mushy, super slimy. And then there was a huge crunch in them that I did not like.I also don't like liver, Brussels sprouts, anchovies, and Spam.For the longest time in my life, I didn't know how to cook, but my mom and my grandma are now teaching me and I've learned about 10 meals or so so far, including chili, lasagna, and New York strip steak.

I'm a fast-food reviewer who went viral trying Indian food for the first time. Here are the best dishes I've tried.

A thing that is real: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-5-dollar-meal-promotion-inflation-cheaper-burger-chicken-fries-2024-5">craving McDonald's</a>. A thing that is not real: craving a salad from McDonald's. Customers know that. McDonald's does, too, and it shouldn't forget it.The fast-food chain's forays into healthier alternatives have been rotten. At The Wall Street Journal's Global Food Forum in June, Joe Erlinger, the president of McDonald's US, detailed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-mcplant-us-trial-failed-not-enough-demand-beyond-meat-2024-6">the company's missteps</a> in meatless burgers and salads. The McPlant burger fell flat in tests in San Francisco and Dallas, he said, and won't be appearing on American menus soon. (Vegan options are doing better for the brand in Europe.) As for salads, McDonald's might be down to serve them widely at some point after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-keeps-salads-bagels-off-menus-for-now-11592494697">ditching them</a> in 2020 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-salads-disappeared-from-menu-april-2020-2020-12">during the pandemic</a>, but only if consumers show up for them, which they haven't in the past. "What our experience has proven is that's not what the consumer's looking for," Erlinger said. To state the obvious: obviously. McDonald's whole thing is that it is not some beacon of health. People are showing up for an affordable, decent burger accompanied by some (hopefully) affordable, decent fries. No one walks up to the golden arches jazzed that they're about to make a super great choice for their body."You go to McDonald's for a cheap, craveable quick bite, not a healthy, more expensive item," said Darren Tristano, the CEO and founder of Foodservice Results, a food-industry consultancy. A higher-quality alternative may get tossed on the menu so that if people are going out to eat in a group, there's an option for a health-conscious person in the mix, preventing their veto, he said. "But ultimately you're not going to see a group of kids going there and buying four plant-based burgers."In general, McDonald's is exceptionally good at scaling an established trend and bringing it to the masses, said Danilo Gargiulo, a senior research analyst at AB Bernstein. But it's not really a trendsetter or an innovative company. If you consider the extent to which <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/beyond-meat-healthy-taste-price-impossible-layoffs-2023-2">plant-based meat has failed to take off in the US</a>, it makes sense that it would be a flop at McDonald's, too. Beyond Meat, which partnered with McDonald's on the McPlant, earlier this year <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/beyond-meat-price-increases-hikes-vegan-falling-sales-cost-margin-2024-2">revealed a turnaround plan</a> to try to revive its brand, including cutting at least $70 million in costs. Its rival Impossible Foods has undertaken <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/impossible-foods-lays-off-20-plant-based-meat-struggles-2023-1">multiple rounds</a> of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/impossible-lays-off-6-in-reorganization-under-ceo-mcguinness-2022-10">layoffs</a> over the past couple of years.The issue with salads isn't that they're not popular in the US — it's that there are plenty of places to get them that aren't McDonald's. There's no good reason to get your roughage from the same place that makes the Grimace Shake when you can go to Sweetgreen, Cava, or Panera. Or you can just spin something up from ingredients you got at the grocery store, reserving your McDonald's trip for when you're in the mood for a treat.Consumers give restaurants a sort of permission to offer certain items. At McDonald's, diners are on board with breakfast sandwiches and Big Macs; they're not so on board with a mediocre salad."They will only give you credit for the things they think you can produce," Tristano said. "You're not going to see an eggs Benedict at McDonald's."Over the years, McDonald's has been able to fold in some noncore items — namely, coffee and chicken. But that makes sense. Coffee, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/business/worldbusiness/19iht-coffee.1.8387256.html">specialty coffee</a>, is already popular. McDonald's has had regular drip coffee available for decades, but it didn't open its first McCafé until 1993, in Australia. The first McCafé in the US <a target="_blank" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080512005130/http://www.fool.com/news/foolplate/2001/foolplate010430.htm">opened in Chicago</a> in 2001.McDonald's <a target="_blank" href="https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/10-things-mcnuggets.html#:~:text=Chicken%20McNuggets%20were%20first%20developed,the%20Chicken%20McNugget%20was%20born.">developed chicken nuggets</a> in the 1970s and added them to the menu in 1983. It <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/then-and-now-mcdonalds-menu-items-2020-2#mcdonalds-debuted-the-mcchicken-in-1980-and-it-was-a-disappointment-at-first-17">put the McChicken sandwich on the menu</a> in 1980, later pulled it because of poor performance, and then put it back on again after the success of the nuggets. Today, McDonald's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-chicken-sandwiches-nuggets-business-as-big-as-beef-burgers-2024-2">is selling as much chicken as it is beef</a>, if not more, doing $25 billion in chicken sales annually. Still, it's the crispy chicken and the nuggets that are going gangbusters, not the leaner grilled chicken, which it also pulled from menus across the US during the pandemic.It's not just consumer demand that's keeping McDonald's menu limited to the more-traditional, less-than-body-boosting items — it's its franchisees, too. It doesn't want to have to offer items they have a hard time selling, let alone put in the investment to make them. Keeping the menu limited helps them serve faster and keep costs down. In the landscape of fast food, McDonald's is unique and it isn't. Tristano said Wendy's, for example, hasn't had much success in expanding its menu beyond chili, which it can use its leftover meat to create, though it does have salad. Gargiulo said Burger King had done a little better on some fronts because in its DNA is a focus on a little higher quality. Its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/impossible-whopper-boosts-burger-king-sales-2019-9">Impossible Whopper</a> remains available in the US, though <a target="_blank" href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/are-diners-souring-on-plant-based-plant-based-meat-at-restaurants/696250/">some of its other vegan options</a>, such as the Impossible Croissan'wich, have been taken off the menu."Part of what McDonald's excels at is their ability to operationally make things efficient. And even if you look at the kitchen, the equipment and how it's laid out and how their workers are optimizing the space as well as the time that they are using everything is, it looks like a Toyota production system," Gargiulo said. "Burger King has always been a little bit more irreverent. It's been a little bit more the smaller brother attempting to be something better than McDonald's."Consumers have certain expectations for McDonald's, just as they do of any brand. For McDonald's, they'd like it to be cheap, they want it to taste OK, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/customers-are-calling-mcdonalds-5-dollar-meal-deal-skimpy-2024-5">they want to feel like they're getting bang for their buck</a>. But if they're worried about their waistlines, at this point it's pretty clear McDonald's is not the place to go. No one goes to J.Crew looking for a new car. No one goes to the Apple Store looking for a charm bracelet. And no one goes to McDonald's looking for greens.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/emily-stewart">Emily Stewart</a> is a senior correspondent at Business Insider, writing about business and the economy.

It's official: McDonald's should stick to unhealthy food

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Martinis have become a symbol of loud luxury in major US cities.</li><li>We tried upscale martinis in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City.</li></ul>A <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-invented-martinis-2017-6">martini</a> is one of the simplest cocktails there is — it's just vodka or gin (depending who you ask) and vermouth — and yet <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-40-martini-is-in-and-its-giving-loud-luxury-2024-2">bars in various US cities</a> are adding their twist to it by adding foraged ingredients or serving it with a side of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-caviar-cost-where-to-source-how-to-serve-2019-12">caviar</a>, turning a classic drink that can be ordered at most local bars into a luxury experience.Martinis priced from $30 to $150 or more have been increasingly popping up on menus and are perfectly suited to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/loud-luxury-items-popular-designer-brands-2024-1">loud luxury</a> trend. Unlike <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/loud-budgeting-trend-backlash-against-quiet-luxury-2024-1">quiet luxury</a>, which involves being more subtle with how much you're spending, loud luxury means <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/expensive-drinks-rich-people-order-luxury-bars-bartenders-2024-8">splurging and not being afraid to show it</a>.Cue: fancy drinks served on special little trays with sides like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-is-caviar-so-expensive-2018-2">caviar</a> that turn heads as they move through a bar or restaurant."Yes, it is a luxury martini, and what really makes it luxury is the caviar-stuffed olive on the side," Trevin Hutchins, a bar director at San Francisco's Aphotic, which sells a $30 martini and makes the cocktail tableside, told Business Insider. "Otherwise, it's a pretty classic martini."BI tried five martinis in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, ranging from $30 to $52, and was surprised to find that some actually warranted the price tag.<h2 id="bc9df47d-b966-4307-9daa-cbdef0796ea7">Dante, Los Angeles: $52</h2><div type="image" title="Belini with caviar and a martini" height="2268" width="3024" msid="113365525" hostid="261" sizebytes="340448"></div>In Los Angeles, we went to the fancy side of town to try the Caviar Martini at Dante, the West Coast outpost of the long-standing New York City café and craft cocktail bar. Located on the rooftop of the Maybourne Beverly Hills Hotel, Dante is the kind of place you'd expect to get fancy cocktails.The menu description for the $52 Caviar Martini included Grey Goose, toasted rye, white peppercorn, dolin blanc, bitters, and 14 grams of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lab-grown-caviar-meat-biotech-2023-1">caviar</a>. It was served on a pretty silver tray with a small tin of Calvisius caviar over ice and five blinis — tiny pancakes often served with caviar.Dante told BI that the martini was "based on the Russian tradition of enjoying ice-cold vodka alongside caviar."The drink tasted a little <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/martini">sweet with a malty flavor</a>, unlike a traditional martini — but it was really good and came with a pleasantly surprising amount of delicious caviar, making the price seem justified.Overall, the drink was a genuinely fun, luxurious treat and seemed worth the price.<h2 id="3983b5ff-b98d-4e97-86f8-d80555de24d5">Saltie Girl, Los Angeles: $35</h2><div type="image" title="Martini with sidecar and a tooth pick with a pickled onion and olive with caviar on top." height="2268" width="3024" msid="113365528" hostid="261" sizebytes="397076"></div>At Saltie Girl, the Los Angeles outpost of a popular Boston seafood spot, we tried their namesake martini, the Saltie, which is listed on the menu for $35. The menu description is simple: choice of vodka or gin, Castelvetrano olive, pickled onion, and caviar.We went with gin and were served a classic martini and sidecar on a shiny silver tray and a toothpick with the olive and onion, each with tiny dollops of caviar.The martini itself was solid, but the accompaniments were a bit underwhelming. Serving the caviar on the onion and olive took away from its taste.We were also unknowingly upsold. After choosing gin, the bartender asked what kind and listed a few options, including <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/best-gin">Monkey 47</a>, which we chose. It turned out that made the martini $47 instead of $35. It seemed strange not to have a set list of ingredients for drinks sold at that price point, which should, in theory, reflect the price of the ingredients used.All in all, this one looked a bit more luxurious than it actually was, and might not be worth it for most people. A better option would be to go for a regular martini and order the Saltie Girl caviar separately if you really wanted some, or just some tinned fish.<h2 id="5d52059e-4172-47ae-a44c-0c59820923a9">Aphotic, San Francisco: $30</h2><div type="image" title="A glass of martini with a side of caviar-stuffed olive" height="3024" width="4032" msid="113365522" hostid="261" sizebytes="441162"></div>Inside an inconspicuously marked black building in San Francisco's SoMa district is Aphotic, a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/africas-first-caviar-won-over-michelin-starred-restaurants-2024-4">Michelin-starred</a> seafood restaurant known for its cocktail program and in-house distillery.The restaurant's eponymous martini is made with its signature seaweed gin, vermouth, and manzanilla sherry. On the side is a single olive stuffed with caviar from Tsar Nicoulai, which partnered with Aphotic, Trevin Hutchins, the restaurant's bar director, told BI.Though the ingredients stay close to the classic dry martini, it hardly tasted like one. The botanicals inside the drink gave it a lot of fragrance, and it was salty but not as briny as one would expect from a dirty martini."It has that sort of brininess but not olive brine," Hutchins said. "It's more like an ocean brine."The saltiness of the caviar-stuffed olive complemented the drink's oceanic theme well. Hutchins told BI that he likes to eat the olive as a palette cleanser midway through the drink. The martini is also made tableside for dining guests.At the end, the bartender served a small piece of lychee bon-bon, which removed all the saltiness of the drink. This was not necessary, but it was certainly appreciated.If you're looking for a straightforward martini, this isn't it. But we'd recommend it to any cocktail enthusiast or someone looking to try something different.<h2 id="d656670c-ca16-42fc-96a5-4400c648a18f">Monkey Bar, New York City: $34</h2><div type="image" title="The Monkey Bar Martini at The Monkey Bar in New York City." height="2268" width="3024" msid="113365520" hostid="261" sizebytes="321522"></div>Two blocks east of the Museum of Metropolitan Art in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/robert-de-niro-testifies-trial-uber-martini-nobu-2023-10">Manhattan</a> is Monkey Bar, a dimly lit restaurant where bright yellow walls are adorned with paintings of primates playing cards and frolicking zebras. The establishment is connected to Hotel Elysée, a French-style hotel built in the 1920s that was once frequented by actor Marlon Brando.The restaurant offers various options — including a $74 Añejo Negroni — but we tried the $34 Monkey Bar Martini. The menu's description listed only four ingredients: Ki No Bi gin, Dolin dry vermouth, Castelvetrano olives, and a lemon twist. The olives were served in a small bowl on the side while the bartender fastened the lemon twist on the martini glass.Some gin-based cocktails have earthy flavors, but a Monkey Bar employee told BI the signature drink leaned toward floral, fragrant notes instead. After one sip, we couldn't have agreed more.The Monkey Bar Martini's floral notes were reminiscent of a garden, making it a great summer drink for gin enthusiasts. However, the martini was too dry for our tastes and the floral notes became overwhelming halfway through the cocktail.Although we wouldn't purchase the drink again, we understand how gin lovers might justify the high price point. Ki No Bi gin is a top-shelf alcohol distilled in Kyoto, Japan, where the distillery was named International Gin Producer of the Year in 2018.People who like dry martinis and are willing to pay for high-quality gin will enjoy the Monkey Bar Martini, but a single glass and four olives for $34 is a bit steep for us.<h2 id="6ea04edd-7a1f-4fca-a44b-2f8a75d4baa2">ILIS, New York City: $50</h2><div type="image" title="The Ocean Martini at ILIS is New York City." height="3024" width="3405" msid="113365530" hostid="261" sizebytes="438956"></div>Next, we traveled to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-housing-market-prices-locked-out-renovating-rental-apartments-2024-4">Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood</a> to visit ILIS, a spacious restaurant with an open firewood kitchen at the center and contemporary artwork on the walls.Since opening in October 2023, the restaurant has quickly developed a reputation in the city for its elaborate cocktails and sustainable ingredients. Earlier this year, the restaurant's Citrus Martini garnered shout-outs in major publications like Food &amp; Wine and Grub Street.We initially planned to try the viral $45 Citrus Martini but soon realized the drink was out of season and no longer on the menu. Instead, we tried ILIS's $50 Ocean Martini. The menu listed five ingredients: Ki No Bi K Edition Gin, Iichiko Frasco Shochu, Acid Sugar Kelp, Sea Bean Brine, and beachcomber produce."The Ocean Martini is somewhere between a Gibson and a dirty martini," Bobby Murphy, ILIS's Bar Director, told Business Insider.Murphy acknowledged that some people might balk at the $50 price point, but that's before they realize all the perks that come with the drink. We wholeheartedly agree.A <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-you-should-never-do-at-a-bar-bartender">bartender</a> served me a mammoth martini glass before pouring my cocktail tableside, which earned points in my book. The glass appeared big enough to hold at least two portions, which made me feel better about the expense.Unsurprisingly, the martini tasted like the ocean, but in the best way possible — each sip felt like soaking in the sun near the sea while a breeze flitted by. It was one of the most unique flavors we've ever encountered.The foraged ingredients accompanying the martini helped justify the price, even if we were hesitant to taste them initially. The bowl that was served on the side of the drink contained plant-based items like sea caviar, oyster leeks, cured kombu, and sea beans."One of our cooks came in, and he foraged around 10 pounds of sea beans," Murphy said. "It was like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/purdue-pharma-bankruptcy-suit-judge-sackler-family-wealth-2021-5">Scrooge McDuck</a> diving into his gold and coins. I was like, 'I can't believe we have all these.'"Murphy said he was a bit nervous about releasing the Ocean Martini after the success of the Citrus martini, but he's received good feedback from customers so far. He said the restaurant has about 40 portions left after selling around 100 glasses of that cocktail."At the bare minimum, I hope you enjoy it and feel the value in it," he said. "Like, 'that was very interesting and I'm not unhappy about purchasing that.'"Ordering the Ocean Martini is an experience that invites guests to expand their pallets. Given the pour size and the snack, we'd say the price for the Ocean Martini is worth it.

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