World-renowned Scottish illusionist, Scott Silven returns to The McKittrick Hotel for At The Illusionist’s Table.
(Tickets available through mid-October.)
In this extraordinary performance, the enigmatic host and mastermind guides guests through an enchanting evening. It’s a unique fusion of delectable culinary experiences, heartfelt storytelling, and mind-boggling mentalism. Prepare to question your senses as candlelight dances, whisky flows, and captivating conversations unfold against the backdrop of a meal filled with astonishing illusions.
Following a sold-out run earlier this year in the hotel’s winter rooftop, The Hideout at Gallow Green, At The Illusionist’s Table returns, by popular demand, for a limited engagement this fall.
“It is a great privilege to return once again to my home away from home at The McKittrick Hotel. I’m delighted for New York audiences to join me for an extraordinary evening this fall,” shares Silven.
From the moment guests step into the Club Car, a bar designed to look like a classic train car, for their first cocktail to finding their seats in the performance space at the intimate, candlelit long dinner table with Silven at the head, who charms and mesmerizes with tales of growing up in Scotland. The three-course dinner menu is crafted by the hotel’s Executive Chef, Pascal Le Seac’h and paired perfectly with classic whisky cocktails including carefully selected drams from Silven’s hometown. Beyond the Illusionist’s tales and tricks, the true magic comes from the host’s ability to connect his guests through a shared experience around his dinner table. We asked Silven to tell us more about At The Illusionist’s Table.
Tell us what inspired your popular dining experience.
Before creating At The Illusionist’s Table, my work was predominantly experienced through traditional theater and television such as The Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House and The Today Show. I wanted to push the boundaries of my craft and create an experience in an intimate setting that explored the power of connection and the senses in a new and revelatory way.
I believe great food and drink should provide a unique sensory encounter, and perhaps spark an emotional memory. It seemed like the perfect crossover to bring the aesthetic of a dinner party and design a magical theatrical experience around this.
It’s really rewarding to sit down with an intimate group every night, break bread, watch each of them begin to connect with each other and directly become agents in the impossible. The intimate setting of a single table also allows me to accelerate the connections in the room, usually much quicker than in a theatre environment. Most importantly, the personal nature of the setting and the openness of the dinner table also heightens the impossibility of the experience.
What should guests know about the experience? What can they expect?
At The Illusionist’s Table has very kindly been called by critics ‘the best dinner party you’ll ever attend’ and, although that’s a lot of pressure, it’s really what I aim to achieve! You’ll join me as part of a select group around a single table in a secret space in The McKittrick and we’ll go on a sensory journey together where food, drink, illusion and memory intertwine to create a truly remarkable experience. You will leave knowing that you have not only witnessed but were an intricate part of something extraordinary.
The experience is key to successful F&B programs. Talk to us about this idea.
I believe that people are looking for more than just good food and service. They want a special moment that they will talk about for years to come. When I arrived in NYC with At The Illusionist’s Table a few years back, it was heralded as an experience that broke the mold of what ‘dinner theater’ can be. In recent years I’ve been delighted to see theatrical elements percolate into other dinner programs, but for it to be effective, I strongly believe that each element should be able to stand on its own and not rely on gimmicks that may provide flash but no emotional resonation.
What can guests expect from the food and whisky served at your event?
The menu is designed by the wonderful Pascal Le Seac’H, Executive Chef of The McKittrick and formerly executive chef of Pastis and Balthazar. Combinations of flavors are rooted in my Scottish heritage and tied to the narrative of the show which explores the forests from my childhood. The whisky is carefully selected from areas from my hometown in Scotland and enjoyed in both unique cocktail formats and neat.
How are the dishes and drinks paired together and incorporated with the illusions?
The food and drink are not merely an addendum to the show but woven deeply into the experience. My guests will enjoy three courses- The Sea, The Forest, and The Study- relating to the three acts of the show as well as two special sensory whisky tastings. The links between the food and narrative are hopefully elegant and subtle and as the experience builds become more profound. And, of course, there’s quite a few surprises along the way…
Why whisky as the spirit of choice?
I grew up in Scotland, so the water of life seemed to be the best spirit to conjure up the best emotional connection to the show. There’s also a depth and complexity to aged single malt scotch whisky that works well in sparking memory and allows the audience to give themselves more deeply to the experience.
What else can you tell us about this experience?
My hope is that your time At The Illusionist’s Table will be one that you’ll remember and talk about for a very long time.
You’ll find yourself taking part in impossible and exciting illusions, but it will also hopefully make you look closely at your own life, find inspiration, and discover what you’re capable of, all whilst enjoying a special meal in the unforgettable surroundings of The McKittrick. Your seat at the table awaits!
The McKittrick Hotel (530 West 27th Street, NYC), home of Sleep No More, announced the return of internationally acclaimed illusionist Scott Silven’s At The Illusionist’s Table. Performances of the intimate experience, where mystical mentalism intertwines with fine dining, will be offered from September 14 through October 21, 2023.
Seatings are offered on Thursdays at 7:30PM and Fridays & Saturdays at 7PM.
Cloud 9 reservations include specially selected wine pairings with each course. Seasonal cocktails are also available for purchase from The Club Car’s bar. Guests are welcome to visit the hotel’s rooftop garden bar and restaurant, Gallow Green, before or after the performance. Visit www.mckittrickhotel.com/gallow-green for menus, reservations, or to customize a private gathering.
For tickets and information about Sleep No More and other experiences at the hotel, visit www.mckittrickhotel.com.
Tag/Follow: @themckittrick @scottsilven Hashtag: #McKittrickHotel #attheillusioniststable
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Source: Mixology News
