We can all probably relate to feeling too tired to cook; but resorting to paying a stranger to feed you instead of using your own (fully-functioning) arms is one step further into unusual dining territory. And that’s just where a London-based pop-up is trying to take you. The restaurant named “Hands Off!” will open in Marylebone for four days, starting on June 11th. Guests will be served/fed by staff using chopsticks, and will not be allowed to use their own hands, including for drinks.
The project was cooked up by Japanese-inspired restaurant Feng Sushi, who deliver sushi from their three London locations.
They also have sit-down options at two of those restaurants, but you’ll have to feed yourself! They’re working in partnership with Tastecard, a membership program you can sign up to to get discounts in over 6,500 U.K. restaurants, including big chains and independent places.
According to the tastecard website, the idea is inspired by restaurants in Bangkok.
That said, they may not have looked into the concept thoroughly. Let’s just say that at least some of those restaurants are not exactly family friendly, and the staff might be doing more than just feeding you. But the Tastecard version is more about good clean fun — assuming no one drops anything in your lap!
Let’s hope none of these people are hired there.
This kid, on the other hand…
The menu sounds delicious.
Business Insider reported that guests brave enough to trust a chopstick-wielding stranger can look forward to a set menu of Japanese-style treats, including Feng Sushi’s Nippon “mock” duck pancakes:
Believe it or not, these incredible pancakes are 100% vegan! We bet you’ll love our nippon mock duck, whether you’re a herbivore or not 😁 pic.twitter.com/1VVJpYa8ne
— Feng Sushi (@fengsushiuk) June 10, 2018
And salmon, tuna, and Japanese omelette nigiri:
For dessert, you get strawberry cheesecake and chocolate mochi (Japanese rice cakes):
Even if you can’t get behind the premise, you’ll be happy to know that the proceeds from each £20 ticket are going to charity Mary’s Meals, an organization aiming to feed hungry children at schools around the world.
In #Zimbabwe, Mary’s Meals is feeding the futures of 18,435 vulnerable children with the promise of a nutritious meal every school day. pic.twitter.com/NJXCQ9jJih
— Mary’s Meals (@MarysMeals) June 4, 2019
This isn’t London’s weirdest pop-up by any stretch.
In 2014, a restaurant called Death Row Dinners was set to open in East London for one night only. Patrons would be “treated” to a five-course dinner inspired by the last meals of some infamous death row inmates.
So excited!! Our lovely client #DeathRowDinners have just released tickets for their upcoming immersive dining... http://t.co/vnvCLqgFe8
— Delicious Agency (@DeliciousLondon) September 4, 2014
As with any out-there idea, there was backlash:
Most missed-the-mark eatery ever? London's #DeathRowDinners pop-up restaurant gets slammed. http://t.co/dSSaFX06as pic.twitter.com/Wu3wnQBlle
— Concrete Playground (@concreteplay) September 16, 2014
Some could appreciate the concept:
Am I a bad person because I actually love the idea of #deathrowdinners ? Only in East London. #EC1forever
— valencia the great (@geminwhy_) September 16, 2014
But it left a bad taste for others:
#DeathRowDinners how much cocaine did it take them to come up with this #tasteless concept #HipstersGoneWrong
— Chairman Juan No Pasaran ✊🏽 (@ChairmanJuan01) September 16, 2014
Especially since, unlike Hands Off!, there didn’t seem to be a higher cause:
#deathrowdinners doesn't add to the campaign to end death penalty.All about being edgy. Can be last meal with distasteful execution element.
— Gemma Lindfield MCIArb (@GemmaLindfield) September 22, 2014
That dinner was ultimately cancelled.
London has also hosted more lighthearted foodie events, including a tribute to a British seasonal staple:
The three-story Cadbury’s Creme Egg Cafe ran on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in March 2016, and didn’t just feature chocolate eggs. There were games all themed around the classic Easter treat. It was so popular, it came back for a U.K. tour the next year.
The pictures look drool-worthy (depending on how you feel about Creme Eggs):
For now, Londoners are left with their hands-free dinner. And if you don’t want to splurge on that £20, you might be able to win a pair of tickets:
Want to WIN tickets to our seriously cool dining experience? 🍣🥢 Head here to find out how 👉 https://t.co/NQp6SA9hHJ pic.twitter.com/Zw79NQLYUy
— tastecard (@tastecard) June 4, 2019
Just don’t forget to tuck your napkin into your collar — or maybe your server will do that too!
