Virtual reality dining experience opens at The Spot 625 in Syracuse (photos) – syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. A new immersive dining experience has opened up on Syracuses North Side, promising virtual dinner parties with augmented reality storytelling.

Owners Brian Fitzgibbons and Gregory Nies softly opened The Spot 625 in the space formally known as Second North Deli. They plan a grand opening for the fall, but first, theyre practicing their ambitious twist on dinner and a show for various groups this summer.

The Spot 625 teamed up with Quantum Virtual Entertainment, co-owned by Nies and Ryan Lynch, to provide a virtual dining experience in a private room separated from the rest of the restaurant. (Quantum specializes in visual/audio entertainment and projection mapping.)

Diners enjoy a virtual reality dining experience in the private room at The Spot 625 in Syracuse, N.Y.Provided photo

The show follows a story titled Sognatore (The Dreamer) and eventually connects to an ample dinner served on the spot.

Without giving too much away, the story drops guests in the dream sequence of a main character, whose mind journeys from a pulsing nightclub to a snowy forest to outer space.

We wanted to create something you cant find anywhere else, with all local businesses and partners, said Nies, who co-scripted the story with Lynch. It was so fun to write this.

The main characters are voiced by Syracuse comedians Lou Greco and Carlo Russo of The Uncle Louie Variety Show, along with Ashley Oakes, Maria Theodorakakos, Jackson Oakes and Arianna Fitzgibbons.

The show gives diners plenty to talk about and react to, even if youre seated at the 10-person table with strangers. Multiple overhead projectors create a wraparound view on the rooms three walls and long table, like a planetarium. Theres not a bad seat in the house.

At first, it felt odd to halt dinner conversation for the sake of the show, but it was a relief to have pauses in the story as the appetizers and salads came out.

Some might find the story a bit goofy, with cartoonish broccoli bouncing across the walls of the windowless room. But others will appreciate the touch of Disney whimsy in an unlikely location, with birds, boats and rocket ships zooming across the table and walls.

Kids would dig it. Adults, too, especially after a couple drinks. And the attentive waitstaff kept our glasses full.

The main entrees coincided with a break from the narrative. We ate amid a pleasant countryside backdrop, with birds chirping and music filling the room. Jeff Molesky of Moletrax Studio provided the thundering audio backdrop, which made the dining room feel and sound like a movie theater.

Diners enjoy the virtual reality dining experience in a private room at The Spot 625 in Syracuse, N.Y.Stephanie Herbert

The Spot 625 carried over a few favorites from Second North Deli, like the delis popular London broil sandwich. The in-house menu differs from virtual dining menu, where large platters of steaks, seafood linguine, chicken riggies and vegetables are served, as family-style or plated dinners.

Servings were generous, with everyone in our party taking home heaping to-go containers.

Quantum Virtual Entertainment plans to expand into new markets throughout the country. Future shows will coincide with holidays and local wine tours which take guests into the wine-making process from vineyard to table.

This idea seems especially well-suited for the virtual experience, to bring great local wines and sommelier education to guests who cant make the trip to the Finger Lakes or Napa.

Overall, the experience provides something very different for the area, turning the dinner-and-a-show concept on its head. Its more of a show, punctuated by a dinner, but has potential to showcase a variety of interesting stories thanks to the energy of its creative team.

Diners sit at the bar at The Spot 625 in Syracuse, N.Y., a new restaurant that offers an augmented dining experience.Provided photo

Where: 625 Wolf St., Syracuse. Parking lot available on Second North Street.

When: The bar is open Monday-Saturday at 11 a.m. Closed Sundays. Virtual dinners are by reservation: Fridays at 6 or 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4, 6 or 8 p.m. Reserve on quantumexperiences.com.

How much: Dinners start at $59. Alcoholic beverages available for additional cost.

Katrina Tulloch writes culture stories for Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact her: Email | Twitter | Facebook

Diners enjoy a virtual reality dining experience in the private room at The Spot 625 in Syracuse, N.Y.Provided photo

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Virtual reality dining experience opens at The Spot 625 in Syracuse (photos) - syracuse.com