In the House Festival Presents: Fourplay Ep. 1 - Chemistry

Yesterday, I was very fortunate to be invited to In The House Festival's dinner and theatre experience at the Salt Tasting Room, Fourplay.  

Fourplay 1 play, 4 episodes; 1 restaurant, 4 dinners
What is love, and why is it so darned illogical? Join us for a 4-part dinner/theatre experience where love and longing, food and festivities, tastebuds and theatre, laughter and loopiness all come together in an interactive evening you’ll never forget. 

Formulae behind love.

This was actually the first dinner/ theatre experience that I have ever been to, and I have to say I was very glad this one was the first. One of the best things (or stupidest things, in my part) was that before the show, we all sat at the long table upstairs and I chatted with this gentleman who was waiting for his date to show up. It was a nice chat, but he grew increasingly worried about her not showing up -- to the point where I started to feel really bad for him and even more to the point where I thought he was a bit crazy.  Well, turns out he was one of the actors, and that was apart of the show. Ha! I'm so gullible. But no, his acting was pretty good.

Receiving instructions from a very credible scientist.

The plays revolve around the love story (not the super mushy kind!) between a man and a woman, with each episode going through a different "stage" of the love story.  Oh and there was also a scientist/chef creeping around.

Each show works alone or together so come to one or come to all (although if you want to find out what happens to the main characters, you’ll have to come to all!)

Everyone shouted suggestions for "Operation: Don't  F♥ck It up"  

The evening was super interactive, with lots of laughs and jokes all around the table.  Not only was there room for audience participation through very obvious means (see above), but there was also use of technology.... I won't get into that -- I don't want to spoil anything!

Compared to my only other "long table experience" at Irish Heather, I really liked this crowd.  Although Kevin showed up in the end and was good company, I don't think I would have been that much of an awkward penguin without him.  I definitely hope many of them will be back next week.

Onto the food! Since I didn't really know what to expect of the show, when I was talking to the actor-who-I-didn't-know-was-an-actor upstairs, I remember vaguely telling him that I was "mainly here for the food".  Oops.  Indeed, the food was good, but it was really the experience that made the night so much more enjoyable.

The first course was the tomato and roasted pepper soup with goat cheese.  I wanted to be super immature and drink it straight out of the Erlenmeyer flask (this episode is called "chemistry" -- ha!), but it was actually really hot.  Instead, we poured it out onto our bowls ourselves, which was also good since there was a pat of goat cheese in each one.  So delicious.  Kevin wanted to steal mine, but of course I would never share.  The red pepper was super sweet and I really liked the soup.

Next was the arugula and fennel salad with lemon vinaigrette, pickled shallots, blood orange & orange.  I liked the vinaigrette a lot, and apparently the lemon is supposed to be some aphrodisiac (said the very credible scientist).  Did I tell you I like arugula a lot these days in a previous post? Don't think I did, but I do. So this was good.

The main was this (for lack of better terminology) "dish that reminded everyone of chicken pot pie".  Instead, this was not an actual pie, but a halved buttery biscuit filled with creamy sauce with bits of chicken and carrots.  The biscuit was quite buttery and delicious, and the whole dish felt very homey.  The piece of pork skin was crunchy and good, and there were also a few mysterious pieces of the rare "felted sage" (actually we had no idea what this was).  A vegetarian option was also available.

HOW DID IT KNOW?!

The last course was the dessert -- a madeleine and a chocolate dipped strawberry nested in an origami fortune teller, which was a motif in the play.  Super cute.  The madeleine was a bit dry, but nonetheless good since it wasn't overly sweet.

Story of my life.

This was definitely one of the most interesting dining experiences I've had, and I'm really looking forward to the next three! Each episode is $65, which is not bad, considering that Swallow Tail, which also works with In the House Festival, is over $100. And it is a four course meal that was really quite decent, with entertainment.  Lots of laughs and happiness. Better than going to a dinner and a movie, any day.


Next week, Monday, February 20:

Episode 2 - Magic: Engagement - the golden apple of so many relationships. It’s not often we get to witness such a special sight, but now’s your chance. Special guest: Magician + purveyor of all things wondrous, Travis Bernhardt

Salt Tasting Room
45 Blood Alley
Vancouver, BC
(604) 633-1912