What’s it like Dining with Strangers: A New Experience at BOTANY

A hangout where you dine with 11 strangers and pour your heart out to one another? Admittedly, the thought of sitting down at a table with people you had never met before felt equal parts exciting and intimidating. In a city where we often rush from one task to the next, how often do we really pause, share a meal, and connect with someone outside of our usual circles? Last Thursday, the BOTANY team co-hosted an Aweness Meltdown Club hangout with the founder of Aweness, Yi Lian, founder of The Ice-Cream Cookie & Co, Natasha and The Well Group founder, Cassandra. 

I did not quite know what to expect. Sharing a meal with people I didn’t know already felt unfamiliar, but adding in the idea of opening up about personal struggles, even traumas, felt both daunting and intriguing.

More About The Aweness Meltdown Club

A monthly no-fluff, full-heart gathering of souls who are done pretending everything’s fine when it’s not, or worse, numbing out in a sea of surface-level chat. Not your typical night hangout, it is part group therapy (without the therapist), part ice-cream tasting (without the guilt), and wholly human.

A Gathering Beyond Food

We began the evening with some sharing platters, filled with comforting bites such as Otah Fritters, Gochujang Cauliflower, Taiwanese Chicken Bites and Homemade Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Sourdough. With so many vegetarian-friendly dishes, there was something for everyone, making it the perfect start to a night of community dining and connection.

In the spirit of healing our inner child, the drinks were a playful highlight: Peach Soda Float “Peach Day Dream” and Iced Lychee Tea Float “Cloud Nine” topped with Ice Cream Cookie Co’s vanilla ice cream. They brought back the simple joys of childhood, and served as a gentle reminder that even as adults, there’s still magic to be found in life’s little pleasures.

The Power of Safe Space & Community Gatherings

The theme of the night was “Letting Go.” Yi Lian opened by sharing her own journey, before gently passing a crystal ball to the next person chosen to tell their story. One by one, the ball traveled around the table, each handoff an invitation to be vulnerable.

To guide us, we were given card decks filled with thought-provoking questions. Some were light, while others went straight to the heart: “Who were you trying to impress?” “Who did you compare yourself to when you were younger?” These small prompts unlocked conversations that might otherwise remain buried.

What struck me most was how open everyone was. People shared deeply personal stories, even traumas they had never revealed to family or friends, often out of fear of judgment or resentment. In today’s world, it is rare to find a safe space to truly connect. Yet that night at BOTANY, I saw the power of community gatherings: how strangers can come together, listen with compassion, and create a shared space for healing.

Each story, whether of grief, burnout, resilience, or growth — became a reminder that we are never truly alone in our struggles. Sometimes, all it takes is the courage to speak and the willingness to listen.

There were tears. There was laughter. And there was a sense of connection that made the evening unforgettable.

Why It Matters 

BOTANY has always been more than just a restaurant, it’s a space where conversations, connections, and communities grow. Events like The Aweness Meltdown Club reflect the restaurant’s heart: bringing people together, creating meaningful gatherings, and reminding us that food is more than nourishment. It’s a bridge to empathy, understanding, and healing.

Biggest Takeaway

I walked away from the evening feeling lighter and more human. Sharing a meal with strangers became a reminder of the joy in community, and the beauty of letting go.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to join a gathering where stories are shared and connections are made, I can only say: try it. Strangers could quickly become companions, and every table has the potential to become a community.

Follow BOTANY’s Instagram to be the first to know about upcoming community gatherings and events.