EDGEWATER — In the age of Instagram, photographing and posting vibrant pictures of food online has become a social norm — one that lets you show off beautiful meals as works of art.
But a new interactive exhibit at one of Edgewater's historic and unique mansion-turned-artist-space is aiming to force diners to hone in on the taste and smell of the meal.
The artistic group known at 6018North, at 6018 N. Kenmore Ave., is inviting diners into its two-story house over several weeks to take the visual element of food out of the picture for a series of three-course meals served and eaten in the dark.
The "Black Out Dinner" series will all being at 7:30 p.m. with meals on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (including Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Nov. 10, 12, 13, 17, 19 and 20) at 6018 N. Kenmore Ave. The 6018North organization is asking for a $75-$100 donation per plate that will benefit future projects and exhibits through the group.
When diners first arrive at the house, they will be able to order wine and read from a menu in the light before being escorted into a darkened ballroom in the house by employees at Chicago Lighthouse, an organization that serves people who are blind or have visual impairments, as well as veterans and people with disabilities.
Diners will be served a variety of meat-free dishes by several area chefs:
• Nov. 3: Eric May from Roots & Culture
• Nov. 5, 6: Sarah Mallin from Pyrite Sun
• Nov. 10, 12, 13: Mickey Neeley from Land and Sea Dept
• Nov 17, 19, 20: Guiseppe Catanzariti with Sonia Yoon from Midnight Kitchen Projects
When the meal is over, participants are led into the basement where they can enjoy dessert in the light and chat with Chicago Lighthouse workers about the experience.
The home on Kenmore Avenue was built in 1909 for Max Eberhardt, a German poet who would also help found the city's municipal court system.
In 2008, it was saved from being demolished and replaced by condos by a couple who wanted to restore the home back to its original state, but after a water pipe burst and caused damage throughout the house the owners decided instead to convert it into the artist space it is today, according to the Edgewater Historical Society.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here.
