Blackout Dining
I knew I was in for many a fantastic and memorable dining experience while studying abroad in Paris. But I did not expect to enjoy unknown culinary creations in total darkness (and by darkness I mean, cannot-see-your-hand-one-inch-in-front-of-your-face darkness). However, in the name of new experiences, my best friend Jenna and I embarked on the adventure of 'blackout dining' together at Dans le noir?. I mean come on, when in Paris right?
After contemplating whether or not we could get away with wearing yoga pants and no makeup to dinner, we decided that even in absolute darkness, Parisians would be able to sense our fashion faux pas.
So we wore heels instead.
This was our first mistake.
Ladies, if there ever were a time to lace on some tennis shoes, it's when you are being led in a conga line through a pitch black obstacle course filled with chairs, tables, and the occasional human littering your path. To make matters more complicated, the man whose shoulders I was grasping for dear life seemed to be on a mission not to walk, but sprint to his table, jerking the rest of our stumbling line along with him.
As I silently cursed him for the bruises I knew were forming on my shins, knees, and hips, I couldn't have been more grateful for our waitress/line-leader who was diligently making sure that none of us were headed straight for a brick wall (which, as a self-proclaimed klutz, was a legitimate concern). I was both astonished and impressed to learn that each of our guides for the evening were in fact, blind.
While unusual, the concept of dining in the dark in not a new one. It can be traced back to the 19th century when various associations for the blind would host dinners for friends and family in order to help them understand what it was like to live with a visual impairment. Similarly, the idea for Dans le noir? was born out of founder Edouard de Broglie's desire to raise awareness in Europe of the difficulties those with visual impairments face everyday. Additionally, he wanted to attempt to reverse typical social roles in which the blind are often portrayed as disabled. In Dans le noir?, those who are blind are the ones with the upper hand and those with site are utterly reliant upon them.
To help you further visualize the experience, here is a picture of the inside of the restaurant:
Image Credit: GoogleImages/AvidffanAlpha
Once Jenna and I were seated at our table, we realized the night would be further complicated by the fact that neither of us speak (intelligible) French and the servers spoke very limited English. Check both sight and speech off the list of things we would be able to use at the dinner table. Luckily, there was no need to struggle through ordering as we had opted in advance to be served the 'surprise menu', so not only would we not see our food, but we also would have no clue what it could be.
Upon the arrival of our mystery meal, the real fun began. While knives and forks were provided, I quickly discarded them after the fourth or fifth time I missed my mouth and stabbed my face instead. Eating with my hands would just have to do. Looking back I'm sure that shoving food in my face with my fingers wasn't the most proper or attractive route, but hey, no one can judge you if they can't see you.
Conversation during the night revolved around guessing what the hell we just put into your mouths, laughter over spilled drinks and dropped silverware, and topics you would never dare bring up if could you see the faces of those around you.
I don't know if it was the darkness, the wine, or the fact that my hearing was (supposedly) heightened, but that evening was the loudest I have ever heard a group of French people be. Laughter, cheering, yelling, everything was more exaggerated, as if other diners were making up for the sense they lost by increasing everything else. On more than one occasion, a chorus of Joyeux Anniversaire burst out throughout the room, while Jenna and I sloppily attempted to sing along. Apparently nothing says "Happy birthday!" better than putting you in a room where you can't see just how old you have become.
The food, the wine, and the atmosphere were spectacularly memorable, who can say they ate Pop Rocks in Paris while in utter darkness surrounded by drunk, singing Frenchmen? Was the food better because I couldn't see it? Honestly, I'm not sure. What I am sure is that the darkness created an unmistakable sense of camaraderie inside the restaurant, where everyone is in the same crazy, dark ride together, and though no one can see it, no one will ever forget it. And even better, you'll never recognize each other walking down the street. For a list of the multiple Dans le noir? locations click here.
