recherché

[ ruh-shair-shey, ruh-shair-shey; French ruh-sher-shey ]

/ rəˈʃɛər ʃeɪ, rə ʃɛərˈʃeɪ; French rə ʃɛrˈʃeɪ /

sought out with care.

very rare, exotic, or choice; arcane; obscure.

of studied refinement or elegance; precious; affected; pretentious.

Origin of recherché

1715–25; < French, past participle of rechercher to search for carefully; see research

I first read A la Recherche du Temps Perdus in the summer I turned 17, and I have to say, it scared the hell out of me.

David's Bookclub: Sodom and Gomorrah |David Frum |September 29, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Viands the most recherche graced the board, and wines the most rare added zest to the feast.

City Crimes |Greenhorn
The refreshments and the supper, both of the most recherche description, were supplied by Mr. Wilson, of this city.

Yarmouth Notes |Frederick Danby Palmer
Perfumes, if used at all, should be used in the strictest moderation, and be of the most recherche kind.

Our Deportment |John H. Young

They were the best we had found any where, and the most 'recherche'.

The Innocents Abroad |Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
I talked scandal, and was never abashed—that was more than enough to make me recherche among the matrons of the other.

Pelham, Complete |Edward Bulwer-Lytton

recherché

/ (rəˈʃɛəʃeɪ, French rəʃɛrʃe) /

known only to connoisseurs; choice or rare

studiedly refined or elegant

C18: from French: past participle of rechercher to make a thorough search for; see research