Would you eat in a dark restaurant?

dark restaurant - a new thing in the eating experience. You eat in total darkness and are served by either blind employees or those with night vision goggles.
@Willowlady (10658)
United States
April 8, 2007 1:36pm CST
Candlelight is one thing and can be romantic. However, now there are now restaurants where you eat in complete darkness. It is said to heighten your senses to the food. The goal of this restaurant is to raise awareness of the blind along with the bettering of the taste sensation. They hire blind waiters and waitresses and others that are not blind wear night vision goggles to guide and then serve patrons. It began in Switzerland and has spread around the globe, even in California. Would you consider this a great dining destination?
23 people like this
61 responses
• Singapore
8 Apr 07
I don't think we have this in Singapore. But it does sound a bit "creepy". Not sure whether I would try...
2 people like this
• United States
8 Apr 07
This is the first I've even heard of this.....I'll be thinking about it for awhile. My gut feeling? Nope. It sounds like it could be dangerous in a way. At the very least I could see knocking down my water glass or stabbing myself in the eye with my fork. And, I like to converse with the person/people I'm dining with. You wouldn't be able to look them in the eye. Who would see the beautiful new sweater I bought for my lovely night out???
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Apr 07
Actually you don't stab yourself in the eye. Blind people feed themselves without injury. But, it would be ackward to have to feel around the table for salt and pepper and knock over your drink.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Apr 07
Blind people are probably much less clutzy than I am... ;)
1 person likes this
@BRIJENDRA (926)
• India
8 Apr 07
Hallo my dear friend, i do not think it is a good practice.No body would like it.Upto candlelight, it is okay.
• United States
9 Apr 07
Candlelight definately is great to dine by.
1 person likes this
• Canada
9 Apr 07
No i don't dine at dark place... first i want to see what they have serve me and than i eat.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Apr 07
we tried that once and could not read the menu, so I would not go to another one again
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
9 Apr 07
I thought you ordered your food before you were seated in the dark. I don't know if I would do it either. Though for a new experience it sure would be memorable. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@Melody1 (967)
• India
8 Apr 07
Candlelight dinner or eating in very dim light is acceptable to me.But eating in totall darkness is something which i haven't experienced yet and am not very sure either. I like to see the food I'm eating.Eating in dark will make me wonder if i'm eating just the food I ordered.(suppose there's a fly in the food)Lol.
@Arkadus (895)
• Canada
9 Apr 07
Yeah that's the issue I'd have with it. That and the whole going outside after thing. The sunlight's going to knock you off your feet after that.
2 people like this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
9 Apr 07
nope i wont consider eating that kind of places..if its good for the blind then i think blind it is...i want my food to be seen and how it is cooked..
@cruzades (659)
• Philippines
9 Apr 07
I don't like eating at 'dark' restaurant, I might eaten the wrong food if this will be the case. ^^ just kidding. anyway, yea, having a candle-light date is so romantic.. hmmm I guess for those who are, I'm not that romantic though.
1 person likes this
@skydancer (2101)
• United States
9 Apr 07
As a personal preference, I have always preferred restaurants with dark lighting to those with a well-lit atmosphere. It's just more calming to me and ironically I feel more "free" in them... It has nothing to do with the food or the people, though. I don't know, it's weird. However, I have never been to one in which you are eating in COMPLETE darkness. If it was so dark, I couldn't see what I was eating and what it looked like, then forget it.I am a person who absolutely has to know what I am in for. If I could see enough to take in the environment around me, then I would consider it.
1 person likes this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
9 Apr 07
I find that very interesting and I am sure I would go to see.. or rather not see hehe I am very curious of new things like that and I usually like to experience. If I like it, I would do it again, if I don't then I won't, but at least I would know how it is. I wonder how we will be able to find everything but I think that it would probably be half the fun trying to :) ON the other hand I think I would like to visit before during the day, just to get an idea of cleanliness and stuff like that.
@mememama (3076)
• United States
8 Apr 07
I don't even like eating by candlelight, so I probably wouldn't eat at such a place. I like to see my food, I'm really picky and if it looks gross I won't eat it! But I never go out to eat anyways, my toddler always creates too much of a scene ;)
1 person likes this
@ragmama (536)
• United States
8 Apr 07
Nope, not for me. I'd dine in *near* darkness but honestly, unless I know the chef personally, I'm going to have to see what I'm putting into my mouth. It's an interesting concept, though!
• Canada
9 Apr 07
I couldn't do it I have to see what I'm eating. Although I think it is a really neat Idea. Also I'm not afraid of the dark but being in a public place with a bunch of strangers would definately creep me out.
@Bedient43 (250)
• United States
9 Apr 07
Its not to "Creepy" buts its strange. last week m grandpa ha his retirement party at a local fancy restaurant it was dark in there. It was kinda weird but it was ok.
1 person likes this
@cassidy22 (2974)
• United States
9 Apr 07
I heard the totally darl restaurant started in France. It's an interesting concept.. find out what it's like for blind folks when they eat. They never have the option to turn on the lights. I'm a little claustrophobic, so I don't think I would like it. I also think I might be a bit paranoid about y food... I like to see what I eat... and it would freak me out to put food in my mouth I couldn't see. I'd probably end up touching all my food to make sure it was what I ordered before I ate it
• United States
9 Apr 07
I would want to see what I am putting in my mouth. I am not one for surprises.
8 Apr 07
Wow, now without meaning to sound sarcastic that sounds like one restaurant I might actually not mind eating in!! I really hate restaurants, i am not totally sure why, I'm not keen on eating around lots of people, I can just about manage a hotel restaurant if I am able to sit somewhere discreet and out of the way.. It's not just the eating, its the smells and stuff that put me off, I just get extremely anxious which puts me off my food. Maybe in the darkness I would be ok!
1 person likes this
• Canada
9 Apr 07
I'm not sure I could eat there. Candlelight is nice. It serves as a romantic accessory to a dinner, but in total dark? I don't think I could do it. It sounds just a bit "too" creepy for me lol, and I'm actually a little scared of the dark too (Yes, I'm a wuss lol) I like the concept of it raising awareness of the blind and bettering the taste sensation, and I'm sure many people would go for that. I just don't think I'm one of them.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
9 Apr 07
Appreciate the thoughts of all, not sure about the creepy factor though. Maybe I am too practical. Thanks for responding.
@daycarepal (1998)
• United States
9 Apr 07
No I would not eat in total darkness. I mean, how would you if the food they are giving you is even cooked all the way? I don't think that would be a very popular restaurant in my area. Although my husband may like it cause then I wouldn't see what he drops on his shirt! LOL. Never falls he always drops something on his shirt.
• United States
9 Apr 07
My husband is also one to wear most of his meal. I am sure that the end result would be more so if he were to dine in total darkness.
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
8 Apr 07
no thank you..i dont mind dim lighting but i dont even eat at home in total darkness...
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Apr 07
I am quite afraid of the dark and have been as long as I can remember. This sounds like the worst things imaginable to be out in public and in darkness where I cannot see what is going on around me (intuition can only do so much). This would be a complete panic attack for me! Maybe for some this kind of thing may be a "new" experience so it is exciting and all. How can you tell if your food looks alright? I was under the impression that a large part of the dining experience is the presentation of the meal.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
9 Apr 07
Many good points thus far in this conversation and you have a new one for me. I agree presentation is often the key. Thanks so much for responding to this discussion.