When was the last time – or the first time – that you sipped a glass of cognac and dined in space, surrounded by the cosmos, or beneath the sea while marine creatures glide past you? As fantastical (and as impossible) as it sounds, that’s exactly what you can do at Nathalie Gourmet Studio in Solaris Dutamas, thanks to the creative efforts of Chef Nathalie Arbefeuille, the House of Martell, and Whimsy Malaysia.
The multi-sensory fine dining experience, which runs until 31 July (RM699 per guest, with a drink pairing option of Martell cognacs at an additional RM350), features state-of-the-art 360-degree projection technology, along with Arbefeuille’s sensational French cuisine. As an ever-shifting cinematic wonderland surrounds each diner, their senses of taste, scent, and sight will be teased and entertained as they delve into an epic five-course culinary adventure.
Many an unforgettable moment awaits, such as demolishing an intensely tomato- flavoured ‘Red Planet’ sphere beneath virtual starlight, and then getting to use a specially programmed iPad to scan the constellations and reveal the personality traits of your astrological sign. Similarly, as tree roots appear to snake their way across the table, an earthy duck and truffle ‘Under the Woods’ broth arrives in an exquisitely crafted bird’s nest, accompanied by the richly complex Martell Cordon Bleu.
Plunging into the ocean after Arbefeuille encourages you to hammer the table hard to break the ice – it really is an interactive dinner that gives new meaning to Martell’s words, ‘Be Curious’ – it’s up to you to find your pearl. This comes in the form of a fat, fleshy iodised Hokkaido scallop that sits on a bed of citrus, pickles, oysters, and an umami-tinged sea foam, softened by the candied fruit aromas of the ultra-refined Martell Cordon Bleu Extra.
A main course of lobster encased in veal, saffron, and capsicum jelly is only served once you’ve clapped and cheered loud enough to illuminate your next wonderland. The funfair grounds of a circus, in all its wild glory, prepares you for the accompanying Martell XO’s robust spiciness as you soak up the digital whirlwind of colour. Shortly afterwards, it melts away into a Disney-esque wishing lake, where you can write messages on your iPad and watch them appear on floating lanterns that slowly drift around the room.
You might find that you’re a little too intent on finishing your dessert, though: a ‘Make a Wish’ apple containing a mousse of preserved lemon, planted gently in a vanilla-chocolate crumb soil. It goes exceedingly well with a glass of Martell Chanteloup Perspective – a balanced but generous cognac that lingers on the palate, leaving echoes of figs, honey, and fresh peaches long after the lanterns have dissolved into pixels.
