Since Scott O’ Rourke started at Wheaton, he’s been making strides to add some flair to our day to day lives in Dining Services. While I admit that I’m not lucky in finding meals that satisfy my hunger due to being a picky eater and feeling that the options don’t fit my tastes all the time, this is not what this blog is about. It’s about the introduction of themed dinners through Dining Services, and how this dinner was a great way to change up the food we eat day to day with a special meal. There were two "fancy dinners" this semester, this first a French dinner and the second, an Indian dinner. Both dinners took place in Emerson Dining Hall in the Faculty Dining Room. Scott O'Rourke's plan is to have two per semester where students eat three course meals through reserving their spot with their Wheaton ID and paying a meal swipe and $5 in Lyons Bucks.
The Indian Dinner was something I looked forward to after attending the Fancy French Dinner which was also delicious and felt like I was in a restaurant. Students are escorted to seats after paying for their meal. Once seated, I looked at the menu on the table which had three choices of appetizers (Menu is above). I chose the Crispy Aloo Tikki (they spelled it tikka) with Coriander Mint Chutney which was essentially a thick potato and herb cutlet. It was good and filling. I moved onto the main course and chose Chicken Tikka Masala (pictured below) which was bigger than I expected and very filling and tasty. It reminded me of the Tikka Masala I make at home for my mother. The smells of this dinner made me feel comforted and at home because of the spices used and aroma of the food. I finished dinner with the Mint Lasse which is a cooling yogurt drink and it was really good that I had to take it take-away or to-go. I'd say that any student looking to do something different but not wanting to leave campus should try the Fancy Dinner at least once in their time at Wheaton. I think it's worth the swipe and Lyons bucks and is quite comforting just make sure to get there right at 5:30pm to relax and really enjoy your meal.
This sound like an amazing event, I wish I could have attended! However, correct me if I am wrong, but don't students have to pay for these dinners, about $5? I'm wondering if the cost of these events prohibits and/or discourages certain students from attending - for various reasons. I understand the money goes towards funding these extra dinning events, however I would like to see events that branch out and can be culturally enriching for the entire student body.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite interesting, I have been meaning to attend one of these specialty dinners. Probably one of the more interesting developments to the Wheaton dining experience this semester has been the dinners. It is interesting that you mentioned that the food reminded you of your own home cooked meals, do you think that the ingredients were provided by Aramark or is this something that Wheaton has provided outside of the contract as a special event? Part of me is skeptical of these dinners and the other special events (such as the Calamari night) as a rouse to win over Wheaton students right before Aramark's contract with Wheaton runs out. At the same time, however, I am very won over by the new options and high quality of these specialty nights, but definitely something to keep an eye out for.
ReplyDeleteStudents do a Meal Swipe and $5 in Lyon's Bucks. If you're on the meal plan, it shouldn't be a huge issue.
ReplyDeleteI think that the food is provided from Aramark. I can totally see where you are coming from!