Mystique Dining at Gardner Village

He said:

We decided to get dinner and a magic show at Mystique Dining at Gardner Village¹. We didn’t know that our reservations coincided with Gardner Village’s Witchfest. This apparently popular event slightly complicated parking, but it did provide a panoply of themed displays for us to peruse until our appointed dinner time. Throngs of people young and not so young strolled through the outdoor space, posing for pictures with witches, having their faces painted, enjoying train and hay rides, and perusing various witch-themed displays. It looked like a lot of fun.

Mystique easily adapted to the season (and to WitchFest) by adopting Manifestations, a “magically macabre tribute to Edgar Allan Poe,” as their theme. Mystique offers two types of entertaining experiences. We had signed up for the Mystique Chamber Experience, which features up-close magic in an intimate dining room limited to 30 people. The other option is the Prestige Parlour Experience, which is a more casual encounter akin to a cabaret-style theater. They have a simpler menu (three courses instead of five) and seat about 45 people. In either case, the experience starts with dinner and ends with a magic show. Reservations are required for both, including pre-selection of dinner entrées.

Upon arrival, we checked in at the desk and joined others in a waiting room. Though small, the room had an air of sophistication, mystery, and antiquity. Dark crown molding contrasted with amber tones of marbled walls. A Victorian crystal candelabra chandelier enhanced the mood with dim yellow light. Matching sconces hung from velveted columns beside the double doors leading to the dining area, while a purple valance draped above it. A couple of grotesques stood guard.

At last, the double doors opened, and we were called by name to take our reserved places in the dining room. If the setting in the vestibule had set a proper mood, the décor in the dining area took it to another level. The even dimmer light heightened our sense of mystery. The first thing I think we all noticed was the glasses at each place setting. Glowing green from lights hidden above, each Pilsner glass had several apple slices hooked on the edge and bubbled with fog from dry ice within. Very appropriate for a macabre evening, made even better with a ramekin of caramel to accompany the apples.

As we found our seats, I took in the rest of the room. A large table sat in the center, with room for 18 guests. The head of the table stood open for the magician later. Two other tables sat on raised tiers, one on each side, and each accommodated six more guests. All seats had a suitable view of the magician. Overhead, more chandeliers hung from medallions in the coffered ceiling. It took me a while to notice that the coffered sections were only the illusion of marble, a screen through which lights could project.

Tombstones with silly, punny epitaphs hung from marble walls, separated by more velveted columns with candle sconces. The front of the room featured a columned fireplace flanked by nearly life-size statues of winged angels holding candles on tall staves. Ornate tapestries framed the scene. Above the fireplace sat a plaster bust of some unknown character. Caesar, perhaps. Maybe Cicero. I don’t know. A pair of bookcases, one on each end, completed the front wall. Each was filled with various curios, all antique. There were several skulls and a plaster replica of a brain. Atop each bookcase sat a horned dragon head.

Our tables were clothed in crushed black velvet, with black linen place mats. A heavy metal plate sat atop an even heavier decorative charger. Even the silverware had elaborate embellishment, with a slight patina to it. Waiting for us were bowls of pumpkin pepita soup, with a decorative garnish of cinnamon crème fraîche. The purée was smooth and the flavor a welcome nod to the arrival of autumn.

While we enjoyed our third course—a drenched salad with dried cranberries and slivered radishes—the plaster bust above the fireplace came to life. Its eyes shone as they cast themselves around the room. The mouth opened and the head spoke to us. It recited Edgar Allan Poe’s “Annabel Lee.” Throughout the evening, the disembodied head would recite several more Poe stories to us: “The Masque of the Red Death,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Pit and the Pendulum.”

A generous serving of raspberry sorbet cleansed our palates in preparation for our main course. Kathy and I had both reserved the Prime Rib ahead of time. I hadn’t quite expected such a substantial serving. The inch-thick slab covered most of the plate, hiding the red, yellow, and purple fingerling potatoes underneath. Several stalks of green asparagus draped across the prime rib, contrasting the perfectly red meat. Some au jus and sour-cream horseradish accompanied the dish. I was impressed by the quantity and pleased with the juicy flavor of the prime rib.

The final course of our dinner was a lemon cake with strawberry-mascarpone mousse, fresh strawberry slices, and a dollop of lemon curd.

Once we got dessert out of the way, our magician arrived to entertain us. Mystique doesn’t appear to have a house magician. Instead, they bring in traveling magicians each week. Our magician of the evening was the award-winning Dave Cox from Pasadena, California. As much a comedian as a magician, he engaged everyone in the audience. In such an intimate setting, I think we quickly developed a connection to him. Everybody seemed to have a good time.

I think I expected our entrance fee to go mostly toward the show. However, I was delighted to find that the dinner was itself fabulous. The environment was elaborate, even opulent. The lavish furnishings and adornments were regal, plush, and sumptuous. It all created an ambiance suitable for the occasion. I had a great time.

She said:

I have always really enjoyed Halloween. In fact, it’s always been my favorite holiday, after Christmas.

So, imagine my delight when we arrived at Gardner Village and discovered that the venue was hosting an event called Witchfest. There were witches, haystacks, and pumpkins in orange, white, and green here and there. Some of the colorful gourds were actually stacked up on open wooden shelving. There were also a henna tattoos and face-painting booth, a couple of food trucks, and other fun amenities to enjoy.

Our reserved time finally came up, so we entered the Mystique through a set of tall, heavy red French doors into a dark and moody vestibule with another set of French doors in front of us. They were painted black with brass-colored hardware. They remained closed with one of those black velvet rope barriers to prevent patrons from going inside too early. Flanking the doors were black, ridged columns upon which two gray stone-like gargoyles sat. As Brian mentioned, there was a purple satin valance suspended from the top of the doorway. Everything was moody and mysterious in the waiting room, foreshadowing a really fabulous dining room.

I was not disappointed.

Overhead, the coffered ceiling was covered by a silky red screen behind which were various spotlights. The shiny black crystal chandeliers hung from scrolled gold-colored medallions.

In the center of the room sat a long, rectangular table, thronged by heavy, ornate black Edwardian chairs with gold gilt. On either side of this table, there was tiered seating with tables that accommodated six people each.

Every place setting included a sturdy metal charger, silver and gold eating utensils, a water glass, and a bottle of Martinelli’s sparkling cider. All of which rested atop a crushed velvet tablecloth and a black linen napkin.

Best of all, though, was the tall, Pilsner glass of bubbling water activated by dry ice. We were cautioned not to drink it, but we were encouraged to eat the thin green apple slices arranged around the glass rims and dip the fruit into the small cups filled with caramel.

I appreciated that the décor evoked the mystery and spookiness of Halloween without being predominantly orange. All of the gold, purple, black, and red took everything up a notch.

The eerie alabaster white bust on the main wall intermittently narrated excerpts from Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories.

Anyway, we were at a magic dinner show, so let’s talk about the food.

First up was a delicious bowl of pumpkin pepita soup that was creamy and enhanced by cinnamon and crème fraîche. This was followed by an an arugula, radish, and cranberry salad drizzled with vinaigrette.

Then came the rich, smooth raspberry sorbet to “cleanse” our palates. It was pretty tasty, which is something I don’t usually say about sorbet.

Following the sorbet, we were served the main course. Brian and I had opted for the prime rib instead of the pork, Cornish hen, or vegetarian offerings.

Yowsers! The serving of beef was generously sized and was prepared medium. It was accompanied by red, purple, and yellow fingerling potatoes, asparagus spears, and cups that held au jus and sour cream on the side. It was all well-presented and cooked to perfection. Tender. Buttery. Nutty. Flavorful.

At one point, I thought my prime rib was too salty, but it was probably just the rub on the outside of the meat.

Finally, dessert was set in front of us. Lemon cake topped with slices of fresh strawberries and raspberry mousse, with a dollop of lemon curd. I was in the mood for something sweet and delectable, and the cake fit the bill. It was really good.

Oh, and the magic show was entertaining, interactive, and immersive because of audience participation. The magician, Dave Cox, was charming and funny. His repertoire included the typical card tricks, a mind-reading routine, and a dollar bill embedded in a lemon. I think the female volunteer immediately regretted offering Mr. Cox her $20 bill because he set it on fire! However, it was miraculously—magically—found intact in the center of the lemon, once they sliced it open with a knife. Whew!

After the show, the creepy white head told us another macabre story that had a surprising and heart-stopping conclusion, but I won’t let the cat out of the bag, to avoid any spoilers.

All in all, it was a really fun evening from start to finish—and it was only improved by sharing the experience with a couple of our friends.

Conclusion

Great food combined with a lush, immersive atmosphere and delightful entertainment provide the setting for a perfect evening. Just bring your favorite company and sit back to enjoy.