This Halloween, a special event will delight foodies and fans of the macabre alike: a special Halloween edition of its unique Dine In The Dark experience. On 31 October, diners can come dressed up their most spooktacular costumes to celebrate Halloween. Guests will enjoy pre-dinner drinks and an amuse-bouche, followed by a three-course mystery menu with intriguing and tantalising flavour combinations. There’s something delightfully eerie about eating in complete darkness on the very night when the veil between the worlds is said to be at its thinnest. Spooky, but delicious! And when I say dark, I mean pitch black: you won’t be able to see your hand even if you put it right in front of your face.
The thought of eating in complete darkness worried me initially, as I am terminally clumsy, even with ample light at hand. What if I trip over something or stub my toe on furniture? What if I accidentally jab myself in the jaw with my fork? Happily, my fears were unfounded: you have a guide to steer you safely through this gastronomic journey, avoiding obstacles and other diners. The guides are all blind, which is not quite as crazy as it might it sound. After all, the blind are far more efficient at moving around in complete darkness than people with normal vision. It’s worthwhile to chat with your guides throughout the dinner – some of them have fascinating and poignant stories to tell about how they perceive the world.
The dining experience itself is simply put, out of this world. When sensory deprivation first kicks in, you realise that you have to trust your guide – not with your life, admittedly, but with your limbs (and in my case, my disaster magnet toes). When you begin your meal, a different aspect of the sensory deprivation kicks in. Without sight, you’re forced to rely on your other senses, like taste and smell, to savour (and guess) what you’re eating. At the end of the dinner, you get to take a look at the menu – with the lights on, of course. You might be quite surprised to find out which of your guesses were correct and which guesses were completely wrong!
The ambience in the dining room is pleasant, with immaculate, personal service from the guides, who also act as the waiters throughout the evening. If you need help with anything at all, all you have to do is call out your guide’s name. Dinners in the dark began as far back as the late 19th century, although the more organised form of dining in the dark began in recent times. In 1997, the Paul Guinot Foundation launched a series of dinners in total darkness, termed "le goût du noir” (taste of darkness). Two years later, the first temporary restaurant featuring dining in the dark was launched in Paris, and it has since launched in major cities worldwide, including Paris, London,
Barcelona, Bangkok, and Singapore.
The Halloween edition of Dine in the Dark offers the same unique sensory and gastronomic journey, with a great Halloween twist. Whether you’re going with a date or with friends, it’s guaranteed to be unforgettable. You can get tickets to the Halloween night dinner on 31 October from BeMyGuest. Don’t forget your costume!
