Dinner in the dark

  Posted on May 19, 2011  by Leslie Blythe  No comments

I think everyone should try this at home on their significant other….

Dinner in the dark has become the latest rage in culinary dining experiences. From Los Angeles to New York, diners now have the option of eating their meal while seated in an intimate and completely darkened dining area or wearing blindfolds. Many of the restaurants offering dark dining encourage guests to eat without utensils to expand the senses of smell, touch and taste.

While dinner in the dark is relatively new to the U.S., this practice is commonplace in Europe. The origins of exploring culinary delights in darkness began in Zurich during the early 1990s. According to the Florida Institute of Rehabilitation Education, a non-profit organization serving the blind, “Dining in the dark was pioneered by a Swiss socialite who was blind. He threw dinner parties for his sighted friends in the dark to add flair and zest to the occasion.”

The unique culinary experience concept quickly spread throughout fine dining establishments and social clubs in Berlin, London, Paris, Tel Aviv and Prague. Most dark dining restaurants employ blind or partially-sighted wait staff to provide employment opportunities and raise awareness about blindness.

U.S. Dinner in the Dark Restaurants

California
Opaque is the premier dinner in the dark restaurant in California. With locations in L.A., San Francisco and San Diego, Opaque serves diners a three course meal consisting of salad, entrée and dessert. Entrées include roasted lemon herb chicken breast with garlic parmesan broccoli spears or seared Ahi tuna steak with vegetable salad and sticky rice.

New York
In conjunction with Dark Dining Projects, CAMAJE Bistro and Lounge presents “sensory feasts served to blindfolded guests” a few times each year; including a special Halloween feast. CAMAJE serves diners four courses paired with wines. Artist performances are conducted for heightened sensory perception.

Florida
Chef Adrianne Calvo occasionally offers dinner in the dark events at her Miami based restaurant, Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar.