Last year, Express.co.uk had the pleasure of experiencing Taste Film’s take on Shrek and now we’re back for seconds with Shrek 2, just as the fifth film in the franchise is announced.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, this immersive dining experience involves watching a classic movie while dining on a three-course meal and two cocktails related to the specific scene you are viewing at that moment.
Located in a north-west London pub, Taste Film takes place in a side room with tables laid thematically for the movie in question, facing a projector screening it on the far wall.
Warmly welcomed, mushroom-shaped lamps lit our tables, laid with bread and butter and a bowl of what continues to be the best popcorn we’ve ever tasted.
As Shrek 2 began with the ogre couple’s honeymoon, the first course was a basket of honey and spice-glazed chicken drumsticks with ranch dressing and cabbage slaw; complete with a note for the happy couple. Upon arrival in Far, Far Away, an ingenious first cocktail was a bowl of Lemon sour vanilla vodka made to look like the hand wash bowl Shrek accidentally drinks from at the dinner with Princess Fiona’s parents.
Meanwhile, the main course was a fast-food takeout that Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming get during a drive-through. This arrived in a “medieval wrappy meal” box complete with paper crowns that everyone happily put on, as we tucked into our tasty slow-cooked beef taco wraps with curly fries and onion rings.
This was soon followed by our favourite course of the night: the second cocktail for the moment Shrek and Donkey drink the Happily Ever After potion that turns them into a handsome human and stallion. The Glow Up Tonic, a rosemary boxer gin and blue grapefruit tonic, arrived behind a window of a mini wooden crate, surrounded by fairy lights and glitter.
That was before dessert which could be only one thing, the DIY gingerbread man from Taste Film’s take on the first film, but this time done with a twist for Gingy’s I Need a Hero moment.
It could have been a little bigger but the decorative gumdrops and squeezy icing were a great addition, alongside some cherry drizzle cheesecake.
Overall this was a Shrektacular experience with great attention to detail and the creative presentation of the cocktails being our highlight. And most important of all, yes we were full by the end!
Shrek 2 Taste Film continues until August 2 and other movie experiences can be booked here.