If you’re wondering whether Detroit’s debut of Fork n’ Film was worth the buzz, the answer is yes, mostly.
On Friday, Sept. 12, Cambria Detroit Downtown officially launched Michigan’s first immersive cinematic dinner experience with a screening of Pixar’s Ratatouille, and from the moment you walked into the chic Balla Ultra Lounge, it was clear this wasn’t your average dinner and a movie.
The atmosphere? Flawless. Five stars, no question. With elegant lighting, French-themed decor, and immersive table settings that brought the streets of Paris to life, the space struck a perfect balance between luxury and whimsy. The staff leaned fully into the experience too — warm, engaging, and clearly passionate about delivering something special.
As for the movie itself, Ratatouille remains a joy, but the sound quality took a little of the magic out of the moment. While the curated courses were timed beautifully with key scenes, the audio didn’t always cut through the ambient noise. If you’re used to full theater surround sound, it may feel like you’re missing some of the cinematic punch. It was still a great film, but the movie experience earns 4 out of 5 stars due to the sound setup.
Now let’s talk food. Chef-driven and creative, the multi-course menu was clearly crafted with intention and flavor in mind. Each dish was inspired by a moment in the Film, and most hit the mark, especially the clever and surprising “Ahh, It’s a Rat” martini, which got laughs and wide eyes from nearly everyone at the table. Still, the precision timing required to match the courses with the Film meant a few dishes came out slightly off in temperature. Not a deal-breaker, but enough to dock the food experience to 4 stars.
Where Fork n’ Film truly shines is in its immersive delivery. From welcome drinks and popcorn to the thematic progression of each plate, the experience of eating your way through Remy’s world felt theatrical, intimate, and engaging, especially for kids and the kid-at-heart. This gets a solid 5 stars.
If there’s one area where the night left us chewing on the numbers, it’s the price. While the experience felt thoughtful and unique, the ticket cost felt a little steep, especially considering some of the small execution gaps. For what you’re paying, you’d expect just a touch more polish or a take-home treat to round out the night. The pricing earns 3 stars.
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Fork n’ Film’s Ratatouille experience is a delightful, family-friendly outing that brings a creative twist to the classic movie night. With a few tweaks, mainly in sound and food pacing, it could become one of Detroit’s most exciting new cultural offerings.
For adults looking for a date night that sparks conversation or families wanting something memorable and out of the box, this is a flavorful, fun way to spend an evening.
Fork n’ Film will continue its run at Cambria Detroit with more films to be announced, including holiday classics, later this fall. Stay tuned at www.Detroit.ForknFilm.com.
