I paid $120 for a fine-dining experience narrated by AI. High-brow restaurants should take notes.

Fiona ClairSep 24, 2024, 02:45 IST

I dined at Venhue in the East Village. Fiona Clair<ul class="summary-list"><li>I paid $120 to experience Venhue's 90-minute, tech-forward <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/review-hags-affordable-queer-fine-dining-restaurant-nyc-photos-2023-3">tasting menu</a>.</li><li>The five-course meal, which was narrated by <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-passive-income-side-hustle-from-ai-startups-tiktok-youtube-2024-9">AI-generated videos</a>, had plenty of surprises.</li></ul>Given my <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/where-to-eat-in-new-york-city-restaurants-according-to-local">New York dining experiences</a> typically revolve around whoever has the best happy-hour deals, fine dining isn't my expertise.But I was intrigued by Venhue. The Manhattan restaurant, which opened in October, markets itself as a 90-minute <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/making-friends-as-an-adult-stranger-dinner-party-review-2023-10">communal dinner party</a> with a $109 unpretentious tasting menu.When I learned the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dining-room-decor-mistakes-interior-designer-2023-12">dining room</a> is surrounded on all sides by screens with AI-generated text-to-photo and text-to-video content, I was skeptical about how unpretentious it would be. It sounded pretty tech-bro-y to me.Despite my holdups, my curiosity won out, and I made a Wednesday-night reservation at the East Village spot.

The entrance to the restaurant was completely unassuming.

You can't see into Venhue from the sidewalk. Fiona Clair

I walked in to find a retro bar.

The bar at the front of the restaurant was surprisingly comforting. Fiona Clair

When I checked in at the bar, I got my "backstage pass."

The menu was printed on a lanyard. Fiona Clair

Everyone was seated at a communal table surrounded by screens.

Venhue had one table for every diner. Fiona Clair

The screens chaotically changed throughout the night.

The screens showed AI-generated text-to-video and text-to-photo content.Fiona Clair

The place settings were simple.

We each got a can of Liquid Death water. Fiona Clair

The meal kicked off with a slightly embarrassing welcome snack.

I had to lick the welcome snack off the plate. Fiona Clair

Next up was a little amuse-bouche.

The pea tart was topped with lemon caviar. Fiona Clair

There are few things I love more than a bread course.

The bread was a foccacia with summery flavors. Fiona Clair

The "choose your own adventure" appetizer was served in a tire.

There were a few Michelin references throughout the night. Fiona Clair

There was a quick break for some shots.

We all got limoncello-sake shots.Fiona Clair

The chef snack was served in the kitchen.

I didn't try the wagyu beef, but the other diners seemed to like it. Fiona Clair

The table looked different when we came back.

There were black roses and skulls on the table.Fiona Clair

I was nervous about the blindfolded tasting.

We all got silly eye masks for a blindfolded tasting. Fiona Clair

We all savored some "very rare, very expensive" wine.

This is about how much red wine I'd like to drink. Fiona Clair

The room stayed dark as we dug into our bowls of pasta.

The pasta featured more summer truffles. Fiona Clair

There was a little post-dinner bingo.

We all played bingo after our entrées.Fiona Clair

Our dessert came with flavored gloves.

We ate the dessert with our hands. Fiona Clair

I didn't really get dinner-party vibes.

The restaurant had recommendations for what to do after dinner. Fiona Clair

I don't know if I understood the whole production, but I walked away giggling.

I got lots of little mementos throughout the meal.Fiona Clair

I went Halloween shopping at Five Below with a $50 budget and think the competition should be scared

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