Over the past decade, the way we dine has completely evolved. People now gather in strangers’ homes for supper clubs, sip experimental cocktails at immersive bars, and even take part in activities like painting or pottery while enjoying a wholesome meal. Dining today is less about just eating and more about the experience that surrounds it.
While diners still crave lip-smacking food that connects them to different cultures, they also want something more layered and memorable.
That’s why experiential eateries are on the rise, from Japan’s Restaurant of Mistaken Orders to Michelin-starred Elcielo, where a course includes pouring liquid chocolate on the diner’s hands.
Yes, you read that right. Elcielo, at their Miami and Washington, D.C., locations, has chocotherapy as a part of their tasting menu, priced at $289 (Rs 26,000 approx.) per person.
It’s a fun, immersive dining ritual created by Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, where diners wash their hands with warm chocolate before licking it off. The idea is to engage far more than just taste, bringing in aroma, touch and texture to trigger childhood memories and a deep sense of nostalgia.
Guests gently rub the chocolate into their hands and then lick it clean, turning a simple moment into something playful, intimate and slightly indulgent. They are first handed a small towel to clean their hands, followed by a dip into warm chocolate. Water is then poured over their hands into a large bowl, and the ritual ends with a napkin to dry them.
The restaurant offers a refined tribute to Colombian cuisine, with a tasting menu that features several dramatic dishes. These include Truffle Bunuelo with black truffle fritter, black garlic and porcini; Bison “Al Trapo” made with North Dakota bison, potato puree and wine reduction; and “Tree of Life,” where yucca bread is served on a sculpted wire bonsai tree.
The chocotherapy course takes place before the “Tree of Life” (one of the courses) is served.
Moments like these tap into nostalgia, sticky fingers, familiar aromas, and the simple pleasure of tasting something with no rules attached. In a world where dining often feels performative, experiences like this remind us to slow down, engage our senses, and reconnect with food in its most playful, emotional form. So, it’s not just about eating anymore; it’s about feeling, remembering, and allowing yourself to be present in the moment.
Meanwhile, this kind of experience also shows how far dining has evolved from being just about what’s on the plate. Whether it’s solo dining, a date night or a meal with friends, people today are craving more than good food and easy conversation. They’re looking for moments that feel intentional; stories they can tell, memories they can carry, and experiences that linger long after the last course is served.
Which brings up an interesting question: do you think something like this would work in India, where food is already so closely tied to emotion, ritual and tradition?
