The next big thing - eating in the dark...

I am not a culinary expert by any means, but I wonder about this new fad (if that's the right word) of going to a restaurant to eat meals in the dark. Not romantic, subdued lighting with candles, but pitch black.

Prague restaurant offers enjoyable meals in darknessBy ČTK / Published 28 May 2008

Prague, May 27 (CTK) - The first restaurant in Prague has decided to follow the foreign example and start offering "darkness" to its guests during their meals, the daily Mlada fronta Dnes (MfD) writes Tuesday.

The new gastronomic experience, well known to gourmets in Paris, Moscow and other world cities, will be offered to Prague residents and visitors by the Pod kridlem noci (Under the Night's Wing) restaurant, which opens in Narodni street in Prague's centre.

"In our restaurant the guests will enjoy a delicious menu comprising three dishes in absolute darkness. In a hermetically closed room, the eaters are solely confined to their four senses - hearing, touch, smell and taste," Monika Urbanova from the company operating the restaurant, is quoted as saying.

On arrival in the restaurant, a visitor is supposed to choose one of the four menus on offer. Afterwards the staff will rid him/her of anything that could radiate though the minimum dose of light. Their mobile phones, digital watches and lighters will end up in a safe.

"Cigarettes, too, give light, therefore our restaurant is for no-smokers only," Urbanova says.

Having a meal in such a restaurant has specific rules. The guests always sit next to each other, never opposite.

Ladies can put their purses only under the table, not on the back rest.

If a visitor needs to use a toilet, he/she is led there by a member of the staff.

"In such an environment, all of your remaining senses sharpen. You speak more loudly, you better enjoy the meal as well as the other person's presence," Urbanova says.

A waiter leads each guest to his/her place at the table, and the rest is completely up to the guest. To find his plate, glass, cutlery, partner..., the daily writes.

"They mostly rely on their instinct and eat with their hands," says Urbanova.

"We believe this programme will attract teambuilding organisers and schools. Travel agencies have already shown interest in it and we also plan to stage introductory get-together meetings for single people," she says.

Of course, my biggest concern would be spilling my drink. Maybe they let you use those hats with two holders where you can put your beers with a straw running to your mouth. I suppose there will be jokes about this being the place to go if your date isn't attractive. On the other side of the spectrum, how long do you think it will be before the staff starts catching ammorous customers in the act. Couples + complete darkness + alcohol will undoubtely lead to certain things.

In doing a little research I found this blog description of someone having dinner in the dark in a Paris restaurant called Dans le Noir. Maybe it would be fun.