The last time I went to a murder mystery event at a restaurant, it was an intentionally, delightfully lowbrow experience at the gone-but-barely-remembered Old Spaghetti Factory on Second Avenue. The nostalgia hit hard for me, taking me back to high school dates and the overwhelming aroma of the restaurant’s sweet red sauce and nutty mizithra cheese and browned butter sauce. Unfortunately, I was an early victim of the (then undiscovered) murderer and spent half of the meal face down at the table.
Perhaps the upcoming “Death of a Gangster Murder Mystery Dinner” — set for Thursday, April 30, at Philippe Chow in Cummins Station — will give me the chance to enjoy the entire meal without feigning rigor mortis. Presented in partnership with The Murder Mystery Company, the evening will feature a three-course dinner of signature Chow dishes served in the restaurant’s dramatic and gorgeous Imperial Private Dining Room.
New York-based upscale Chinese cuisine restaurant will open Friday in Cummins Station
The dishes that will be on offer are pear and arugula salad and chicken dumplings, followed by choices of two of the restaurant’s most popular entrées: sweet and sour chicken or filet with green beans, both served with steamed white jasmine rice. Dessert will offer a sweet selection of both chocolate mousse cake and New York cheesecake, served with tea and coffee. The dinner menu will be $80 per person, which includes the price of the dinner show. Beverages will be available for purchase à la carte.
Actors from The Murder Mystery Company will play most of the roles, as one guest is chosen as the secret killer and the rest of the crew tries to figure out whodunit at the fictional estate of Sir Warren Peace. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in character, but since I don’t know who any of the characters are or exactly what era it is set in (I think Old Hollywood?), just be fabulous and hope you win the costume contest!
Arrive at 6:30 p.m. for welcome and check-in, and at 7 p.m. the dinner service and murder mystery begin. Reservations must be made in advance. The menu is preselected with no substitutions or modifications. Reservations are available via OpenTable Experiences.
