Quirky “talking plates” and dancing “fairies” at dinner? The famous Banquet of Hoshena interactive dining experience has finally landed in Singapore at the InterContinental Singapore hotel!
Cheeky “talking plates” will guide you through the meal
Playful fairies fluttering through the forest
The Queen of Hoshena herself narrates the story
Immersive backdrops to set the scene
The experience has made its way to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, and more; boasting a one-of-a-kind interactive fine-dining course where you’re not just eating, but you’re also embarking on an adventure, partaking in several simple “tasks” throughout the meal!
A blossoming magical flower field
Pizza Soufflé
Textures of Celeriac
Angus Beef Tartar
Enter the mystical and once-beautiful realm of Hoshena, where the Queen enlists the help of diners (that’s you) to save the kingdom from negative forces that will destroy the beauty of Hoshena. Watch in awe as the digital projections shift from various stunning imagery: starry nights skies, autumn leaves, fiery pits, flowing waters, lush floral fantasies and more!
“Dancing” fairies to accompany you while you eat
Enter an icy cold winter
Brioche & Seaweed Butter
Light Vichyssoise
Fiery plates to match the spicy dish served
Raviolo Aperto
You’ll be guided through the meal by whimsical “talking plates”, and accompanied by dancing “fairies” as you eat. There’s also a couple of hands-on elements that require the diners to participate: such as speaking your fears into an “ice cube” to be tossed away into a “chasm”, using your hands to reveal “secret” writings and creating your own DIY “magic potion” mocktail!
Channelling our “energy”
Trace the sparks to reveal a hidden message
The entire experience did feel pretty magical, and audible “oohs” and “ahhs” could be heard throughout the room whenever new scenery appeared. The Banquet of Hoshena stands out from other immersive dining experiences in the market as it invites active participation from the diner to be part of the narrative, and it was refreshing to be able to actually “interact” with the digital projections.
Get hands-on and DIY your own mocktail
“Magic Potion”
Slow Poached Halibut
Cocoa Tuille Mille-Feuille
Some highlights from the dinner course were the Angus Beef Tartar: a treat that raw beef lovers will enjoy, and we liked the contrasting soft and crisp textures provided by the tender beef and freshly battered vegetable leaf. We also enjoyed the final chocolate dessert course, and coffee lovers will definitely appreciate the prominent coffee aroma of the sweet treat.
The experience is super limited and intimate, with only 8 diners seated at a single table. Dining is exclusive to a 7-course dinner menu starting at 7pm sharp (diners are to arrive at LUCE by 6.30pm) priced at $198++ per person. They’re also got special projections for occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and corporate celebrations.
As for the food itself, we expected a little more finesse in terms of creativity and flavour (especially with the $200 price tag). Portion sizes were also a little on the smaller side (with nearly half the dishes being bite-sized), possibly due to time constraints and to keep eating times between each dish to a minimum. While the dishes served during the dinner might not be the most unique, you’re definitely signing up for the novelty of the theatrical dining experience as a whole and it’s still worth a try for the stunning visuals that are a treat to the senses—something you probably won’t be able to find elsewhere in Singapore. Vegetarian or kid’s options are also available for the Banquet of Hoshena, and you can find out more here.
Price: $$
Taste: 6/10
Favourite dish(s): Angus Beef Tartar, Cocoa Tuille Mille-Feuille
Banquet of Hoshena
Address: InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Rd, Singapore 188966
Opening Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 7pm-10pm
