TEC Culinary Labs
Written by @DashHaber
Restaurant Backstory: As more and more explorers came to the island of Tukisinangitok, Dr. E. Erie found that he and his fellow explorers needed a shared collection of information about the mysteries of this island. Thus, the Tukisinangitok Exploration Collective (otherwise known as TEC) was formed. Modern research and staff facilities have been built among the icy cavern walls, giving explorers and scientists a place to live among the frozen landscape. Chief among these buildings is the TEC Culinary Labs. What might have been a plain utilitarian cafeteria was instead revamped into a proper restaurant, when a few TEC members realized that the food supplies shipped in from around the globe paired up with local sea-life meant the chance for some truly rewarding meals out in this harsh wilderness.
Restaurant Exterior and Interior: Built into the side of an ice wall, guests see a sleekly-designed modern research facility. The exterior design is utilitarian, made to fit its purpose and stand up against the cold. That said, it also features some wide windows, allowing those inside a good view of the surrounding area. A metal sign built to stand up to freezing winds stands near the entrance, with “TEC Culinary Labs” written across the front. Below that is the same name for the building, written in a variety of languages for easy understanding across the language barriers.
Heading inside, guests first enter a lobby. The design is modern and minimalist to start, although there is a picture on display of some TEC crewmembers in a kitchen. The picture is marked “Founding crew of the TEC Culinary Labs”. Once they are ready to be seated, guests head inside and see a bit more life to the building. Sure, the architecture is generally skewed towards utilitarian considering its research station origins. However, there is plenty of activity in here. The walls are lined with pictures and maps of Tukisinangitok, providing all sorts of evidence in the research and teases of the mysteries around the ice. There is also a message board, covered in notes and pictures which give a fun peek into the day-to-day life of the research station.
Food and Beverage: The TEC Culinary Labs finds itself in an interesting spot when it comes to its menu. On the one hand, there is the diverse mix of aquatic life that exists under the ice and waves, offering some fresh access for seafood (and harvested responsibly, of course). On the other hand, food is shipped in from across the globe to help the researchers at TEC get by with familiar tastes and flavors. As such, the menu draws from both pools for the options it offers.
For example, the appetizer selection features more arctic-inspired beginners, such as salt cod croquettes and Polar Pate (a pate made from meat, suet, and vegetables fats, mixed with noodles), while dishes like baked piroshki (Russian stuffed rolls) and Devils on Horseback (British prunes wrapped in bacon) offer some small tastes from homelands. When moving onto the main course, the local sea life brings some hearty meals, such as lemon-roasted salmon or garlic parmesan flounder. Meanwhile, the meats and vegetables shipped in allow for meals such as a Great American Grilled Steak (beef steak grilled up with mushrooms and onions) and char siu (Chinese barbecued pork) give the explorers here something to dream about as they fill up after a hard day of study and travel. Finally, even the frozen landscape here could warrant a dessert. After such a hearty meal, you could perhaps go with some chocolate truffles or maybe finish the meal with some shaved ice.
Devils on Horseback
Char siu
Chocolate Truffles
As for the beverages, soda and water are available as familiar non-alcoholic options. When it comes to alcohol, there is beer on tap, and a selection of wines, brandy, and spirits. The cocktail is made to reflect a variety of options to help keep the researchers feeling warm on these cold nights, such as a Caramel Irish Coffee (an Irish Coffee with butterscotch schnapps and topped with whipped cream), a Spiced Cranberry Margarita (a margarita mixed with cranberry juice and cinnamon syrup), a Black Russian (vodka and kahlua), and a Kumquat-Ginger Caipirinha (a caipirinha prepped with kumquat and ginger).
Caramel Irish Coffee
Kumquat-Ginger Caipirinha
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