Presenting the perfect place to bump into an old friend.
Famed for its concept – diners eat in pitch black, while being served by blind wait staff – DLN? have seen branches of the restaurant pop up in Paris, Barcelona, St. Petersburg, and Nairobi. And of course, in Clerkenwell.
Here’s how you can expect your evening to go:
You arrive at the venue. The windows are covered in blackout blinds. You pitch up at the fully lit bar area and order a cocktail while you mingle with the other guests. Nerves are calmed.
You put your coat, bag, and anything that might produce even a tiny amount of light into a locker. Even your glow-in-the-dark watch has to go. And don’t go getting any bright ideas.
You are introduced to the guide/server, who takes you and your group down into the blackened dining room. If you want anything, even a bathroom break, you have to call out their name.
Now the food arrives. You’re kept in the dark about what that is too, with the menu options only being Meat, Vegetarian, or the reassuringly named “Chef Surprise”. Previous dishes have included crab custard with strawberry puree; roasted springbok with aubergine; duck rillette with black truffle; and gorgonzola tart with salsify.
You eat, and experience a truly new, bizarre, and weirdly exhilarating taste experience.
When it all finishes, you’re led upstairs and warned that it takes a little time to readjust your eyes to the light. Coffee & tea are served in the bar, and everyone finds out just what it is that they just ate.
And at the very least you can guarantee…
…it won’t be a light dinner.
NOTE: Dans Le Noir is open all week. You can book a table online HERE. Otherwise you can call 0207 253 1100 or email [email protected].
Dans Le Noir | 30-31 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0DU
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