FOR one of the most brilliant and unique dining experiences I have ever had — it all started in a rather odd and unassuming reception area. I was here, at Dans le Noir? in London’s Clerkenwell, for a New Zealand themed food night ‘unlike anything before’. For those not in the know (as I was) Dans le Noir? is a restaurant with a difference. To sum it up briefly, it is dining in the dark. By dark — I mean complete and utter pitch blackness. An absence of light so thick that you can almost touch it!
So, with a slighty achluophobic (scared of the dark) girlfriend squeezing the life out of one hand, and the other hand gesticulating wildly as I put on my best Kiwi accent, I met my waiter who would be taking care of us for the evening. His name was Trevor. And he was blind. ‘A blind waiter?’ I hear you ask with confusion. Indeed! Part of the charm with Dans le Noir? is that all the waiting staff are blind – for two very good reasons. Firstly —you don’t need to be able to see in a pitch black restaurant (in fact you CAN’T see) and secondly, it provides a wonderful employment opportunity for the visually impaired.
And so it was – with one hand on Trevor’s shoulder so that he could guide us to our table — we went through the thick, black curtains and found ourselves in another world. A world of noise and confusion (and amazing smells coming from the kitchen) but totally without the ability to see.
Arriving at our table, we had to sit down and explore our surroundings completely by feel — which makes for quite an unnerving experience. But you soon get the hang of it and before long you’re conversing and laughing as if you’re in a normal restaurant.
Another novel concept Dans le Noir? shocks you with, is that as well as not being able to see — you don’t know what food is going to arrive as their menus are a ‘surprise’. So when our entrees arrived, I tucked in with gusto (missing my mouth with my fork on several occasions), and tried to determine exactly what I was eating. Lime infused flavours rushed around my tongue — and I could taste a very yummy scallop-py meat. Scallops in sugared lime rinds? Delicious! And it was the most amazing start to a culinary experience I had ever encountered! Pouring yourself a glass of wine is a bit of fun too — because to make sure you don’t spill it all over those around you — one must employ the ‘finger in the glass’ method to determine when the glass is full.
The main course was just as delicious as the starter and I could immediately identify the succulent New Zealand lamb on my plate (once I found the darn plate again) but couldn’t pick the other meat, which was rich and creamy and ever so good. I would later learn that it was a delicious Kiwi duck, grilled and sautéed to perfection.
With banter flowing between diners that have never seen each other — the atmosphere is intimate and special. At one point, trying to work out how far away the couple sitting next me were, I ended up unintentionally groping my fellow diner! Rushed apologies and a few laughs later and the moment was forgotten.
But that was the only thing forgotten about my Dans le Noir? experience. With food to die for, exquisite wine, the most friendly and capable waiters, and a decor to … well, I have no idea about the decor because we couldn’t actually see it, Dans le Noir? exceeded all of my expectations and more. It was, quite frankly, amazing.
William Shakespeare once said that “there is no darkness but ignorance”. He must have known about this trendy little restaurant because once you get over your fear of the dark and leaving the secure dining norms behind, you get to experience one of the most unique and incredible meals of your life. Enjoy!