Have you tried- Dark Table (Blind Eating) Restaurant

[Kapsgirl]

We came across the Dark Table restaurant in Vancouver off of 4th Ave. You eat your meal in a completely dark room hoping to have a unique dining experience and enhance your awareness of flavors. Blind or limited vision servers escort you to your table and serve your meal. Not sure about 1 1/2 hours in the dark but am curious if anyone has tried this and would/wouldn't recommend this restaurant. Curious....yes, I know I can just put a blindfold on at home but that just isn't the same since I'm the cook. ;)

 

http://www.darktable.ca/about.html

[trophy_23]

We have been three times. Not sure I would pay the full rate, as we have used groupon deals all three times. It is quite an experience and the food was quite good each time. It certainly gave me an even greater respect for those who deal with blindness. We saw some samples of how the food was plated when we went to the curtained room where you settle your tab (in dim light), and it was plated just as nicely as it would be in any other restaurant. You have the option of choosing your meal or having it be a surprise. I would recommend trying it, but do check this link on groupon to save yourself a few $$ https://www.groupon.com/deals/dark-table-4-7

Edited May 11, 2016 by trophy_23

[martincath]

I haven't visited this particular one, but have others (I used to volunteer with CNIB in Toronto, so knew some of the first staff hired for that one - I think Montreal was the first in Canada). Chefs are not blind, just the servers, so if you do cheat you'll see the food is indeed plated just like any other restaurant of comparable pricepoint & style.

 

It's definitely an interesting thing to do, and I would strongly advise doing the 'surprise' menu rather than choosing your food - by far the biggest part of the dining side is how much we rely on sight to decide what things taste like. Obviously let them know about allergies or strong dislikes!

 

As well as a resto like this, I've taken part in at-home group dinners where everyone preps one course while the others eat it blindfold - it's absolutely astounding how few people can tell what they're eating, especially if you change the shape of food (e.g serve distinctively shaped veggies as purees rather than whole), even trained chefs & sommeliers!

[Kapsgirl]

Thank you both for your feedback. I frequently see how sight effects your opinion about a meal when I serve my kids an unfamiliar dinner! I think this would be fun to try and see. I love the idea about a dinner party with different people making parts of it so they don't know what they are trying. I imagine the surprise plate would be interesting also. Thanks again. Now I just need to map out how to get there using the Skytrain/bus. :)

[Kapsgirl]

Also, thanks for the Groupon tip!!

[xlxo]

if I can't see my food.... I can imagine the mess on my clothes trying to get the food from dish to mouth.

 

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[Langley Cruisers]

While it is not for me, some of my co-workers did this and did enjoy the experience. One tip was to use the restroom before dinner as if you don't, you will need a staff member to help you get there.

[sapphireblue]

I ate at the Dark Room last year as a Birthday surprise for a friend. We all loved the whole experience. We were given the menu outside and chose our meals there. We were told the vegetables and the dessert would be a surprise. We were guided in, holding on to each other and seated. The food was delicious and we had fun trying to figure out what vegetables and dessert we were eating. We spent a good amount of time groping around for our beverages and cutlery, which was hilarious because you really have to pay attention to where you place things. One of us dropped a fork, which of course we couldn't see, and were surprised to find our waiter right there with a replacement.

I agree about the washroom suggestion. We did need to use it before we left, and were guided, again holding on to each other, to the room which was beautifully lit with candles. Nice and clean.

You pay on the way out at a curtained area by the kitchen. I would definitely do it again.

[SquatsandChampagne]

I live 5 minutes from the restaurant, IMO if you are visiting Vancouver

and want to eat good food I would give it a pass. It is more of an experience,

the food is pretty mediocre. If you want to visit Kitsilano, go to Chewies

on Yew and 2nd ave, get some Oysters and beer, or go to Granville

Island and eat at a restaurant there.