I received a Press Release from the Idea Festival folks and thought some of you might be interested.
Series of “Lights Out Dinners” Kicks off April 17 at Asiatique
CONTACTS:
David Mudd
502.859.1762
Muddmail@yahoo.com
Kris Kimel
859.229.6161
kris.kimel@ideafestival.com
March 31, 2008
The 2008 IdeaFestival in Louisville, KY is still six months away, but organizers are already working on a series of unique spring and summer dining events meant to stretch horizons and remind people what this three-day Festival’s all about—innovation, creativity…and taking a few risks.
While there’s no risk that chef Peng Looi’s fare will be anything less than stellar, the daring diners who attend the Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 PM, Lights Out Dinner at his Asiatique Asian Fusion restaurant on Bardstown Road will be asked to try something more than a little out of the ordinary: enjoying a multi-course meal without seeing it.
Diners will be blindfolded as they enter the darkened room reserved for the dinner, and enjoy a series of imaginative courses paired with wines and other spirits, all without setting eyes on them.
Why would anyone want to eat in the dark?
Ask diners in Paris, Zurich, New York and other cities where the dining in the dark concept has taken off in recent years. There’s even a restaurant in Los Angeles that now serves all its meals in utter darkness, its waiters outfitted with night-vision goggles. Another, in Cologne, Germany, employs blind or seeing-impaired servers in its subterranean, windowless dining room.
Those who’ve tried this particular dining experience say canceling out the often-dominant sense of sight allows the other senses to come to the fore...heightening the appreciation of tastes, aromas, and tactile sensations.
Chef Looi, an award-winner for his adventures in Asian and contemporary American fusion cooking, promises a feast that’ll excite all the senses. He’s not revealing the menu ahead of time, but assures participants he’ll personally present each course and explain his approaches to scintillating ingredients, spices, sauces, temperatures, techniques, and the fine balance between sweet and savory.
Seating at the IdeaFestival/Asiatique “Lights Out Dinner” will be limited to the first 50 people who register with the IdeaFestival at http://www.ideafestival.com. Tickets for the complete meal with wine and other pairings are $100 apiece, which includes gratuities and taxes.
Make your reservations now, and we look forward to not seeing you there!
Upcoming IdeaFestival Lights Out Dinners are planned at the Mayan Café downtown, in June, and the Patron on Frankfort Avenue, in early September.
The 2008 IdeaFestival happens September 27 – 29 in Downtown Louisville. To learn more about speakers, topics and events, go to http://www.ideafestival.com.