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.

Comments are now closed for this story

K
cool idea I like it, but on the lighter side, given some of the meals I have been served in TO, eating in the dark seems like a good plan :)

Jackie Mader, Ontario
It's an interesting concept. I have a brother who is blind and it would be "eye opening" to experience a dinner on his terms. Fortunately for me I can walk out into the light of day and laugh it off as an experience whereas this is his reality. Appreciate your eyesight people.

Terri in Brantford
Not for me thanks. Part of the dining experience is how good the food looks!

Brian K
I have eaten at the 'dark' Noir restaurant in Montreal. And I can tell you coming from a person who thinks going to Burger King is a 'wild night out' I really enjoyed the experience.

Not only do you get a chance to explore your other senses, but you get a hint of what the nearly 635,000 people in Canada with a seeing disability are challenged with everyday.

My only advise, don't drop your fork and good luck cutting with your spoon the first three times!!!

Rick in NB
A blind restaurant? I just can't see that.

THE Fatman
And when you're finished eating I understand you get to play 'pin the tail on the donkey' while waiting for your bill?

Bob
Who really cares. Toronto is in the dark anyway.

Rayel
I think it is a really dumb idea!! Did I say dumb?? Yes, it is a dumb idea. Did I say dumb again?? Yep!!

Gary in Kitchener
It's great to see that they do not cook in the dark

Dr. James Bradford
God gave me two eyes to see with so why would I want to eat in the dark when I can enjoy what is before me in color?

The notion of eating in the dark is neither "cool", "unique" or "smart".

Food is meant to be enjoyed and seeing what you are eating is a part of that experience. If some have lost their eyesighht I'm sorry for that but I dont need to pay for that experience - seems lame to me.