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Who would like to dine in total darkness?
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| Abercrombie |
Well you can at the new dark restaurant that just opened;
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...=TorontoNewHome
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Toronto's first 'eat-in-the-dark' restaurant opens
Updated Wed. Jul. 1 2009 10:20 AM ET
Philip Stavrou, CTV.ca News Staff
Already in major cities around the world, Toronto now has its own "Dine in the Dark" restaurant where blind waiters serve up gourmet meals in absolute darkness.
At first, guests are ushered into O.NOIR's dimly lit lounge area where bartenders offer up drinks and staff jot down meal orders.
For starters, the choices include grilled octopus, calamari, or arugula salad with fresh mushrooms. For mains, spicy filet mignon, chicken breast with eggplant and tomatoes, or marinated shrimp with herbs are among the options.
Of course, for those who really want to put their taste buds to the test, the "Surprise" menu is always available.
After the orders are in, it's time to go inside. But first all cellphones and any devices that light up must be turned off.
Tracy, one of several visually impaired waitresses, greets diners at the door, telling them to form a line with each person holding the left shoulder of the person in front of them.
"We call it transfer of trust," O.NOIR founder Moe Alameddine said, explaining that diners must rely completely on the wait staff.
He said his blind servers have a well-developed ability to navigate through the darkness and avoid obstacles.
The rectangular room is also set up with tables for two along one wall and group tables along the other, with an open path between the two sections. The design allows staff to move easily since tables are either on the right or left side of the path.
As she guides a group to their table, Tracy calls out "careful" as a warning to any of the other wait staff.
"It felt like my eyes were closed even though my eyes were completely open," Michael Alongi, who dined at the restaurant with his wife, told CTV.ca.
After he sat down, Alongi said he felt claustrophobic even though he normally is not.
"It was just the fact that I didn't have complete control of myself as I normally do," he said.
"...What helped it go away were the jokes that you throw at each other."
There's also the blind piano player, who last Thursday night was playing Michael Jackson tributes, to help customers adjust and feel comfortable.
For dinner, Alongi opted for the complete "surprise" experience. He thinks he ate a salad with salmon, beef stew, and a chocolate mousse-like cake.
"A lot of times you're just hitting the plate because you cannot see the food," he recounted.
Although the food was good, Alongi said losing his eyesight didn't really enhance his sense of taste.
Still, he said for him it was more about the experience and that he'd definitely go back but only with someone who had never been before.
That's just what Alameddine is banking on.
"Let's say you enjoyed it and your aunt came from the States, you're going to bring her to try something new," he says. "I have a lot of repetitive customers."
Alameddine, a Lebanese-Canadian, said he first saw the concept during a trip to Zurich.
"I started researching on the concept and found it was very interesting," he said.
Already in the fast-food business, Alameddine made the switch and opened his first eat-in-the-dark restaurant in Montreal.
That location has been going strong for three years now, he said, and he's confident Torontonians will make his new place a success. |
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| Abercrombie |
| quote: | Originally posted by Sushipunk
no. |
wow, c0r slow today? lol |
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| Intangible |
HAHAHAHAA DAMN YOU!!
I'm taking Michael there tomorrow as a mystery date. He is total freaked out as all that I told him is
1)Its a new experience
2) Youll learn how other people live life
3) You wont notice anything
4) We might as well leave our watches and phones at home
5) Its a bit of work for your food
He thinks we are helping the homeless or something
He is banned from TA now.
I will let you guys know how it goes.
I know Jay (Jay Leno went last weekend). He really liked it. |
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| ChemEnhanced |
| It would be interesting but I prefer to see what I'm eating. |
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| jon jon |
| quote: | Originally posted by Intangible
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hahah sick |
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| Knox |
| quote: | Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
It would be interesting but I prefer to see what I'm eating. |
I feel the same way. Really a creative idea, but I enjoy the entire experience including the restaurant's ambience, presentation of the food as well as seeing the company I am with.
I am curious to hear what you have to say after going Tara... |
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| StereoPrincess |
| i saw this kind of thing on hell's kitchen i think or some dating show (lol, ramsey does like to flirt with the ladies so it all blends in my memory now). it was interesting. |
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| haqq |
haha I seen this before too on that reality show, where the rocker dude is getting a girl.
And the waiter was blind! I wouldn't mind experiencing this, but honestly pitch dark/sharp stuff/eye-balls :eek: |
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| Abercrombie |
I would break after the appetizer to go to the washroom, and come back naked. See if anyone notices.
And change back by the time desert comes. |
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| *~LiSa-LoO~* |
| quote: | Originally posted by StereoPrincess
i saw this kind of thing on hell's kitchen i think or some dating show (lol, ramsey does like to flirt with the ladies so it all blends in my memory now). it was interesting. |
Dating show. They go on "blind dates" and don't see the other person until the date if finished. I've seen a commercial for it too. You may have mixed it up b/c a new season of Hell's Kitchen is starting soon and there's been commercials for that too!
I think this is really interesting and would love to do it. But I'm scared of the dark :nervous: |
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| Abercrombie |
| quote: | Originally posted by *~LiSa-LoO~*
But I'm scared of the dark :nervous: |
You should be when I'm eating at the same table. |
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