March 22, 2008: Diner in the sky

Coign • Mar 21, 2008 1:30 pm

Dinner is served - 165 feet up

Nicholas Wolaver, Edelman

Dinner in the Sky: A chef prepares meals while diners enjoy panoramic views harnessed in seats that swivel 180 degrees, suspended via a crane.

Here's a dining concept that'll make your head — if not your stomach — spin: It's dinner at a table suspended 165 feet in the air with chairs that swivel 180 degrees.

Dubbed Dinner in the Sky, the attraction is making its U.S. debut Monday in Orlando at the annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions convention. About 25,000 attendees are expected at the one-stop-shopping event, where the amusement industry rolls out new thrill rides and related products.
The high-flying dining venue was introduced in Europe last year and consists of a platform suspended from a crane. Guests are harnessed into 22 seats, with space in the center for a chef and two helpers. With local officials' blessings, the platform can be transported to just about anywhere the crane can maneuver. One recent spot: in front of the Amiens Cathedral in France, with dinner prepared by a three-star Michelin chef.

Ghysels sees all sorts of US possibilities for the dangling restaurant, including air space over the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and golf courses.

'I think human beings always like to see what's happening from the air,' he says. 'And there are so many wonderful natural spots in the U.S. Dinner in the Sky could go anywhere.'
The restaurant ( dinnerinthesky.com) belongs firmly in the special-occasion category, however. The cost for eight hours is about $11,444 — not including catering.

Shawnee123 • Mar 21, 2008 1:32 pm

I like the dangling pianist. ;)

Sundae • Mar 21, 2008 1:38 pm

I can't say anything other than NO
I saw this in the WTF thread, but without the full set of pics and the explanation, so I thank you for that Coign.

I love my food, and I can't imagine spoiling it with the sheer terror of being suspended that high. NO THANK YOU.

I'll go to the Fat Duck at Bray for my Michelin starred experience when I have the money. How jaded does your palate need to be to want this?

[COLOR="Silver"](please note I have a fear of heights and am a physical coward, and I post from this perspective, rather than trying to preach to other people about how to spend their money)[/COLOR]

shina • Mar 21, 2008 1:40 pm

Good lord! No, not me, not anytime, forget it.
The guy in the white shirt and tie looks like he is about to toss his cookies.

Shawnee123 • Mar 21, 2008 1:42 pm

Oh, I'd do it. I wouldn't pay a bunch of money to make it happen but if the opportunity arose I would jump at the chance. Um, jumps is perhaps not the right word.

Shawnee123 • Mar 21, 2008 1:43 pm

shina;440608 wrote:
Good lord! No, not me, not anytime, forget it.
The guy in the white shirt and tie looks like he is about to toss his cookies.

Yeah, he's the only one with no champagne in front of him. :D

Bullitt • Mar 21, 2008 2:18 pm

Sh*t guys.. I dropped my wallet..

HungLikeJesus • Mar 21, 2008 2:41 pm

What happens when you have to pee?

Medic63 • Mar 21, 2008 2:59 pm

Shawnee123;440610 wrote:
Yeah, he's the only one with no champagne in front of him. :D

It's there, he's holding it in his right hand. It's just hard to see because it's next to the silver platter cover.

Medic63 • Mar 21, 2008 2:59 pm

HungLikeJesus;440621 wrote:
What happens when you have to pee?

Umm...look out below? :greenface

Shawnee123 • Mar 21, 2008 3:07 pm

Medic63;440623 wrote:
It's there, he's holding it in his right hand. It's just hard to see because it's next to the silver platter cover.

No, I think that's the handle for the platter cover; compare it to the other platter handles.

Coign • Mar 21, 2008 3:08 pm

Ghysels sees all sorts of US possibilities for the dangling restaurant, including air space over the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and golf courses.

I am just thinking, can you imagine being suspended over the Grand Canyon? That is hanging a MILE above the bottom while you eat dinner. That would be awesome.

euphoriatheory • Mar 21, 2008 4:42 pm

HOLY F....

I'd be ready to toss my cookies... but there's no way I'd be hanging my head over the edge of that thing to do so. (Someone should mention to my husband that if he ever thinks this would be a romantic idea, it will end in disaster for literally everyone involved.)

Bullitt • Mar 21, 2008 4:47 pm

And a giant ass-ugly crane ruining the view for miles around...

Flint • Mar 21, 2008 5:08 pm

Reunion Tower's geodesic dome dominates the Dallas skyline. ...
A popular stop is the revolving Antares restaurant and The Dome bar atop Reunion Tower.
Patrons enjoy scenic 360-degree views of Dallas as the room continually rotates and completes one revolution every 45 minutes.

Sundae • Mar 21, 2008 5:19 pm

Now THAT I could do. All enclosed and safe and with views and all.

I had Christmas dinner at the Restaurant at the Top of the World in the late Two Towers after all.

It's being suspended that makes me retch.

Flint • Mar 21, 2008 5:21 pm

I've had a few drinks up there in the big golf ball, just for the hell of it.

richlevy • Mar 21, 2008 5:58 pm

Shawnee123;440605 wrote:
I like the dangling pianist. ;)

Sorry, next time I'll remember to zip my pants.

wolf • Mar 21, 2008 6:14 pm

I would not be able to eat.

I hate heights that much.

xoxoxoBruce • Mar 21, 2008 11:39 pm

Captive audiences don't criticize the food or service.

SPUCK • Mar 22, 2008 5:16 am

I can see, eventually, one of these dinners ending badly...

"It was a freak gust of wind!"

Gravdigr • Mar 22, 2008 4:20 pm

DO NOT WANT!!!

spudcon • Mar 22, 2008 4:38 pm

Shoulda stopped at McDonalds first.

busterb • Mar 22, 2008 4:39 pm

A fool and his money are soon parted???

aero geek • Mar 22, 2008 5:54 pm

So if I get this right, they are offering to suspend you from a crane for eight hours, with no freedom of movement and no washroom facilities for $11,444 and you also have to pay extra for the food and culinary personnel? I wonder what genius came up with this idea. :headshake

TheMercenary • Mar 22, 2008 6:57 pm

just pee off the end.

bullwinkle • Mar 23, 2008 9:15 pm

pie in the sky?