Mediamatic SERRES SEPARÉES – All photos by Anne Lakeman and Willem Velthoven.
Corona virus – Amsterdam art center Mediamatic has transformed a series of small green houses into distanced dining pods for its ETEN Restaurant at the water side of Oosterdok. Titled Serres Séparées – separated green houses in French – the COVID-19 proof solution allows guests to enjoy an intimate dinner while overlooking the panorama.
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Each of the pentagonal glasshouses on the riverfront terrace next to Mediamatic’s main building shelter a pair of diners sitting across from each other over a table. The vista includes also the Renzo Piano’s Nemo Science centre.
“In restaurants and bars, a separate room is traditionally named in French: “chambre séparée”. It suggests a sexy kind of intimacy: here things can happen that should remain hidden from plain sight and not be heard by all.” Explain at Mediamatic. “We’ve decided to name our greenhouses in French too. Although what happens inside will be much more public…”
Waiters wearing a face shields serve a four courses plant-based menu on the ends of long wooden planks so that they won’t need to enter the individual greenhouses. In Mediamatic-fashion, using cutlery is an option, not mandatory. “Our chefs design food in such a way that the sense experience is to be enjoyed with more than just taste.” The wooden planks are thoroughly cleaned after each serving. The plastic screens are courtesy of Waag Society.
The Serres Separées are recommended only for people that already live together. The solution aims to lead the way for restaurants during the post pandemic era.
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The photos by Anne Lakeman and Willem Velthoven were taken during two test dinners earlier this month.
