BOISE, Idaho — The restaurant industry is busy adapting to business during a global pandemic, and at a time when many Idahoans still aren't comfortable dining out, the team at Kin restaurant in Boise is reinventing dinner delivery with a fine dining twist.
“We’re certainly known for high-end service and high-end food," co-owner Remi McManus said. "We never anticipated we would become a delivery food, take-out food style restaurant, given the fact we’re based on a seven-course prix fixe menu.”
The team was making final preparations on their new downtown Boise dining space when the coronavirus pandemic prompted the closure of all Idaho restaurants. Forced to change their entire business model, they're now boxing up four-course meals for fine dining in your own dining room.
KIN AT HOME, as it's called, is a locally-sourced rotating prix fixe menu with paired cocktails and even entertainment. Customers will receive a thorough three-page e-mail ahead of the delivery with step-by-step instructions on how to put the finishing touches on their dishes, and how to plate for perfection. An attached video will provide some entertainment to accompany dinner, like a serenade from a local musician.
"We still get to connect with our diners by making little videos, and in the kitchen, we take all the food to 90 percent, but we still require people at home to finish the 10 percent at the end," co-owner and chef Kris Komori said.
Even though they still hope to one day open their restaurant for sit-down dining, after seeing so much interest they say KIN AT HOME is here to stay. They're also branching out this summer for PiKINics on the lawn outside their restaurant complete with food, drinks, and live entertainment all served up from at least six feet away.
For more information on KIN AT HOME or PiKINics, click here.
