PAUSE Visits:
Taste Film
I drink to thee.
Born out of North London, Taste Film originally came to light through former film studies teacher Amy Fernando and her embrace of Scorsese’s iconic Goodfellas (1990), a picture that needs no introduction. An “aha” moment eventually lead to where we’re all at now, a place where Taste Film is one of the UK’s leading im3mersive experiences. Combining the wondrous nature of film with the decadence of a high-class five-course meal, Taste Film traverses this unique corner of the hospitality industry with expert ease, tailoring each and every aspect of a finely-curated menu to the specificities of the film, right down to the second a theme is introduced or food appears on the screen. For instance, we had a taste of Romeo’s deadly elixir that’s used at the climax of the film… spoiler, we were fine and it was delicious.
Enlisting members of its considerable social media following for inspiration, Taste Film asks its audience for suggestions on its next culinary venture, putting the power back into the hands of the visitor. For us at PAUSE, we were lucky enough to be put forward for Baz Luhrmann’s timeless version of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet (1996) and get the scoop on everything good about what’s going down at Taste Film.
PHOTO CREDIT: Taste Film
Touching down in the cosiest of spots in north-west London, Kensal Green’s Parlour was the spot of choice for Taste Film’s showing of Romeo & Juliet, and it made perfect sense. Arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day, the intimate atmosphere of the contemporary pub fell in line with the energy of the film, with this afternoon showing providing the ideal escape from the average work day. Settling in to a backroom, a spacious yet comforting space was lined with lit-up decorations, floral displays, and picture frames, setting the scene even further. Free popcorn, bread and butter, and a Romeo & Juliet-themed quiz met us at the table, providing a friendly bit of competition before the main event.
Gracious hosts guide you through the experience with everything you might need during the film, ranging from ordering drinks off of the table menu to the do and donts of Taste Film, making sure everybody in the room has an optimal viewing experience. A concern we had coming in regarding the moving around of staff was quelled from the moment the film was projected onto screen, with the team at Parlour seamlessly moving around the space to ensure the viewing experience wasn’t compromised. Friendly staff were a highlight of the overall experience, taking pictures of guests, making conversation, and just generally keeping the spirits of the group high.
Now, the main event. Clearly, food is the central pillar of what makes Taste Film a special event, and the reason the experience took social media by storm in the first place. Thinking back to my limited memory of Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet – a film I last watched in eighth grade – there wasn’t much food to be seen. However, this is where the ingenuity of Taste Film comes into play, and more specifically the creativity of Amy and her team. Winding together central thematic plot points with unique flavour profiles and various combinations of ingredients, Taste Film’s approach towards Romeo & Juliet was serious impressive.
Starting off with a rather avant-garde approach to the storyline, a selection of house patés that included pumpkin, aubergine, mushroom and tomato flavourings were divided onto a black slate, mimicking the introductions of both the Capulet and Montague houses – as well as the two’s fierce rivalry. Providing a dose of Dutch courage, the next serving saw the “Thirst Trap” quench us with flavours of rose vodka, pomegranate, grenadine, and Prosecco, whilst the main course of “Do Thy Love Herb” provided the pièce de résistance of the whole tasting experience. A myriad of flavours combined with the juicy chicken to become a firm fan favourite, with a portion of herb potatoes and some truffle jus elevating the plate and justifying that hefty price tag. The back end of the meal was for those with a sweet tooth (or two) as a “Berry Me Alive” raspberry and vanilla cake boasted a flawless, glossy appearance and rounded out the meal nicely alongside an on-the-nose sweet cherry and thyme elixir titled, “Romeo Done”… if you know, you know.
Taste Film’s tight-knit group of staff, cozy and curated atmosphere, and its meticulously thought-out menu puts this London experience head and shoulders above the competition. Being a film buff, worries about the experience basing itself around the fluff and not the film were prevalent going in, but it quickly became apparent that Taste Film puts the film itself at its core. All in all, this is a pretty wholesome day out.
Showing everything from The Princess & The Frog (2009), Superbad (2007), and Pretty Woman (1990) to Ratatouille (2007), book Taste Film here, with each ticket coming in £77.50 each.
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