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.
Facilities
What puts the metaphorical cherry on top of Park Igls’ humbly-sized cake are the facilities. Set amidst a private garden within close distance of the breathtaking Alps mountain range, Park Igls’ grounds consist of pretty much everything you could want, even a rather chilly game of golf (we couldn’t resist.) The clean outer stylings of Park Igls nod to the surrounding alpine environment, utilising clean shades of white and green, whilst a contrastingly cosy interior gives the retreat a “home away from home” feel, which was a very welcome touch. This sense of comfort is epitomised in Park Igls’ all-new tea room and relaxation area, which has recently been updated.
Getting into the headline-grabbers, Park Igls’ extensive spa and swimming pool areas put stimulation and relaxation on a pedestal. The 90 square-meter indoor heated pool welcomes you as you step through double doors, with lounger seats pointed directly towards the facility’s green garden. Despite central and Northern Europe’s customary naked saunas, a textile sauna sits adjacent to the pool for those who like to stay wrapped up, whilst showers, changing rooms, complimentary towels, and fresh alpine drinking water made things beyond easy.
Heading into the spa area was where our favourite aspect of the facilities can into play, with various health-oriented spaces being ready for use. The naked area boasted a diverse selection of hot and cold specialties, ensuring that all important blood pump rush, with everything from a steam room, an infrared cabin, and Finnish and bio-saunas to an ultra-refreshing plunge pool keeping you at your healthiest. Want more? 16 treatment rooms, an exercise studio with forest and garden views, relaxation areas, and medical showers continue to put that modern spin on the Mayr method.
If you fancy a view with your workout, Park Igls’ penthouse-style gym has an array of modern equipment to keep your exercise sessions enjoyable. Fancy purchasing a piece of kit you’ve used at the facility? A boutique stocking Mayr products, exclusive Park Igls health & beauty products, clothing and sportswear, local artisan gifts and mementos sits in the lobby. In need of a good book? A multi-language selection of books are available. What about some more self-care? A beauty salon has you covered for haircuts, cosmetics, and everything in-between. In essence, there’s not a blade of grass that Park Igls aren’t covering.
Accommodation
You pay for what you get with Park Igls’ tasteful accommodation, with all rooms arriving with a spacious balcony. Variously-sized rooms and suites are available to guests, providing reliable air-conditioning, a power shower, modern amenities, as well as a bathroom filled with natural light, having been developed in collaboration with the medical team and scientists exclusively for Park Igls. In the hallway leading to your room, convenient hot-water-bottle taps and still and sparkling water are available on every floor, whilst the all important mugs of bitter water are pre-prepared in the stairwell. To be honest, the living space in Park Igls was brilliantly curated, rubber-stamping the sophistication of the Austrian way of living. Anyways, it’s all worth it for that view.
Final thoughts
Our stay at Park Igls was filled with informative and calculated professional opinions, which was something we looked for heading into the process. Leading with understanding, precision, and warmth, the facility makes sure to break down pre-determined opinions as soon as you step through the door, eradicating any trepidations you may have over the process. Park Igls brings Mayr medicine well into the modern age through years of dedicated research and an extremely talented team of health experts, making it an ideal starting point for a 2025 lifestyle change.
Additional information:
Book your stay: Park Igls Medical Spa Resort (+43 512 377305).
Doubles rooms start from £170 (€204) per person per night (two sharing), singles from £175 (€211) per room per night and suites from £322 (€388) per person per night. These prices are inclusive of breakfast, parking and Innsbruck (INN) airport or station transfers.
Mayr programmes:
The 4-day Detox Short Break is priced at £1061 (€1279) for 2 health examinations, 4 therapeutic treatments and a full body massage, whilst the 7-day Detox Classic is set at £1706 (€2057) per person for 2 health examinations, 1 medical examination, 5 full body massages, and a manual abdominal treatment.
Mayr medication – which is optional – is not included. A 7-night stay is beneficial, but in order for the Modern Mayr practice to be most effective, a minimum stay of 14-21 nights is highly recommended.
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