caviar to the general

Something of an exceptionally high quality or intelligence not befitting or appreciated by those who consume, see, or partake in it. "General" here refers to the general population, not a military general. I wrote several novels earlier in my career that were very well received by academics, but they were caviar to the general and never achieved popular success. People only have a limited amount of time to spend on entertainment, and they usually want to use that time to relax. That's why his artsy films end up being caviar to the general. I'd rather write screenplays that the critics pan but audiences love. I've never wanted my work to be caviar to the general.

caviar to the general

a good thing that is not appreciated by the ignorant.

This phrase comes from Shakespeare 's Hamlet, where Hamlet commends a play with the words: ‘the play, I remember, pleased not the million; 'twas caviar to the general’.