A Titanic mystery is the subject of new theatrical dinner experience at Goodwin hotel in Hartford

The final first-class meal ever served on the Titanic is the inspiration for a theatrical dining experience running from April 16 to May 9 at The Goodwin hotel in Hartford.

Tyler Anderson, executive chef-owner at the acclaimed Millwright’s in Simsbury, or members of his Millwright’s chef team, will cook for up to 126 people each Friday, Saturday and Sunday night in the second production of “Room Service at the Goodwin,” Anderson has announced.

Diners will eat in parties of up to six people, each party in a separate room of the hotel, 21 rooms total. The Titanic meal will be accompanied by a mystery story about the 21 passengers on the Titanic who were bound for Connecticut.

The experience, “Titanic: Honoring History Through Food and Mystery,” will be enhanced by clues, letters and performances that will move the story along. The food also is part of the clue structure.

The rooms will have the beds removed and tables and chairs installed and will be decorated to fit the story set in 1912, the year the Titanic sank.

The previous production of “Room Service at The Goodwin” was “Yes-or-No Morgan,” based on the life of legendary Hartford-born financier J.P. Morgan, which took place from Jan. 8 to March 28.

The “Room Service at the Goodwin” series was designed to be COVID-friendly. It is a collaboration among Anderson, The Goodwin and Lumi Agency, a marketing and PR firm based in the Parkville section of Hartford.

Kelsey Renfro of Lumi said the dining-entertainment concept was devised to help drive business toward both Anderson and The Goodwin, because the hotel and restaurant industries were struggling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We came up with this idea in the winter, and then the COVID numbers started looking worse and worse. Tyler came up with the idea of putting it in the rooms, so people could have a safe indoor dining experience and feel like they’re not completely alone but also not surrounded by strangers,” Renfro said.

Menu

The Titanic menu, a truncated and adapted version of the real multi-course menu served on the Titanic, is:

First course: cold asparagus vinaigrette, Consomme Olga and cream of barley soup, cabin biscuits

Entrée: Filet of beef Lili with sauce of foie gras, truffles, cognac and Madeira; Vegetable Marrow Farci (summer squash stuffed with rice and mushrooms); saute of chicken Lyonnaise with tomatoes, onions and vinegar; or grilled lamb loin with mint sauce

Sides: family-style creamed peas and carrots, boiled rice with curry of raisins and pine nuts, and potatoes parmentier with lemon and herbs

Dessert: chocolate eclairs or Waldorf pudding (French vanilla pudding with walnuts, grapes and apples)

Three seatings will be done each night, spaced at half-hour intervals, to prevent a buildup of people waiting in the lobby. The May 9 closing date will be extended if the meals prove popular, Renfro said. Hours are Friday and Saturday 6 to 8 p.m. and Sunday 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Cost is $85 per person on Friday and Saturday and $75 on Sundays. To make reservations, visit roomserviceatthegoodwin.com.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.