China is known for its taste for exotic animals, but the prospect of Pokemon menu items was perhaps among the strangest ever proposed.

For this “Find the Monsters” dinner we returned to a favourite venue, ARIA at Beijing’s China World Hotel. Despite its name, the event featured no exotic species being entirely focused on the usual fine food and wine rather than scurrying around the property Pokemon Go-style to catch one’s dinner!

While the presence of mobile phones has become a scourge of the contemporary dining experience, on this evening they were not only welcome but encouraged. Each course was tied to a particular character in the Pokemon universe. To see the description one needed to scan QR codes to reveal the name and secret ingredients. The menu was not published until each item was ready to be served. Similarly, the pairing for each course was kept under wraps until poured.

MENU

Mini Monsters
“Melo” - melon in Port wine with Iberico ham
“Voltorb” - Manchego cheese ball
“Koffing” - foie gras hazelnut chocolate ball
“Exeggcute” - egg and ham croquette
Perrier-Jouët NV Champagne

Mega Monsters
“Kingler” - crab tartare with avocado and pickled vegetables
2014 Kate Radburnd ‘Bud Burst’ Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

“Octillery” - roasted octopus consommé and potato royale
2012 Alkoomi ‘White Label’ Chardonnay, Frankland River, Australia

“Magikarp” - sole with hazelnut, quinoa and saffron
2012 Torreon de Paredes Carmenere, Rengo, Chile

“Amoonguss” - rice ball with slow roasted pigeon breast

“Taurus” - tomahawk rack with roasted vegetables
five different kinds of sea salt: black, smoked, rosemary, mushroom, wild garlic
2009 Alkoomi ‘Black Label’ Shiraz-Viognier, Frankland River, Australia

Bonus Points
Fire ball chocolate, strawberry mousse, marshmallows, Cointreau, mint coolant
2006 Torreon de Paredes Gewurztraminer Reserva Late Harvest, Chile

We were surrounded by Pokemon-themed decorations, some edible and some not. The service brigade wore Pokemon print garments. Chef Maiker Valdivia really entered into the spirit of the theme by donning a full head-to-toe Pikachu costume for the evening’s finale.

Steven Schwankert
Vice-Chargé de Presse