This is “Small Bites,” a South Florida Sun Sentinel feature with tidbits on the food and beverage scene — because we know that sometimes you just don’t have room for a long article. You want a news brief instead, an amuse bouche of information, if you will. Enjoy!
WHAT: It’s a fruit. It’s a berry. And now it’s the muse for two art-filled dinners staged at the MAD Arts museum in Dania Beach.
“Ode to Tomato: An Immersive Seasonal Dinner Experience” will serve up six tomato-centric dishes on select Fridays in August as an homage to the history of the town, which once billed itself as the “The Tomato Capital of the World.”
“We’re following the story of Dania over the course of the dinner, with each dish representing a different chapter in the town’s journey,” said narrative director Rebecca Farfan, who developed the concept. “The immersive visuals help bring the story to life and make each course part of the experience.”
As guests move through six courses, they will be surrounded with visuals by artists Astrid Marie, Liv Cook and Mark Espinoza, including animation, original artwork, digital projections, sound and storytelling.
“We were going for immersiveness and they left nothing out,” Farfan added. “These artists pulled together their skills to create a colorful world for the guests, with the physical meeting the visual, like we’re stepping into the looking glass.”
Mad Arts
Chef Sam Diaz has created a six-course, tomato-centric menu for two art-immersive dinners at MAD Arts in Dania Beach. (MAD Arts/Courtesy)
The event grew out of a menu concept from chef Sam Diaz, who came to MAD Arts with the idea of blending tomato-based dishes with the town’s tomato legacy. Diaz is working with MAD Arts to launch a food and beverage program at the museum.
“This idea came to me when chatting with a friend about the love we have for tomatoes,” Diaz recalled. “We wanted to highlight how versatile this one fruit can be. Then when collaborating with Rebecca we found ourselves creating this world of campy, otherworldly ideas for the tomatoes.
“When researching for this project, we found the different cultures that have inhabited this great city. I found that by getting with local farmers and making everything from scratch will be the best way to honor the history.”
WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, and Friday, Aug. 21
WHERE: MAD Arts, 481 S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach
THE MENU:
• Tomato Loaf with herb, Calabrian chili and whipped butters
• Tomato Salad with peaches, pickled eggplant, crispy halloumi and herbs
• Bloody Mary Granita with pickled green tomato, garlic, celery, Calabrian pepper and gin
• Tomato Broth Tortellini with ricotta, Sicilian pesto, almonds and basil
• Tomato-Steamed Cod with stewed tomatoes, chickpeas, fennel and pickled mustard sauce
• Sour Cream Cheesecake with strawberry and tomato compote and mint crumble
COST: $150 per person with wine pairing or $100 with nonalcoholic beverages
INFORMATION: yeswearemadarts.com
Mad Arts
Chef Sam Diaz is working with MAD Arts to launch a food and beverage program at the museum. (MAD Arts/Courtesy)