‘Doing it in the dark’? It’s not what you think
Written for: The Neighborhood, 2017
Images from: Noche, Dine in the Dark
Food has come a long way from mere mortal sustenance—from luxury meals atop the Eiffel tower and dinners 160 feet up in the air, to intimate lunches sixteen feet below sea level and cliff-edge brunches in 300-year-old caves. Man has evolved while our palates have conspired with the rest of our senses to embrace food as an entire experience. The latest unconventional dining craze to hit Manila goes against all these conventional restaurants. Noche: Dine in the Dark is the first and only local restaurant that lets its customers dine in total darkness, combining thrill and intimacy at the same time. Most of all, diners get to support its waiters: visually-impaired individuals with a passion to serve.
They say that if you take away sight, all your other senses are heightened. Such is the premise of the newly opened restaurant. Located in A. Venue Suites, Makati, Noche aims to create an otherworldly experience. As one’s sense of smell, taste, and touch shift into overdrive, so does the way you would appreciate their distinctly prepared feast.
Upon stepping inside, a whole ritual-like process commences that builds up to the culinary climax. As a prelude, guests are offered games to play while blindfolded, followed by a brief introduction and history of the original dining concept. By way of human train (with your hands on each other’s shoulders), the waiter leads the guests until engulfed in total darkness, where the actual meal will take place.
For the adventurous gastronomer, the Chef’s Surprise is sure to tease your taste buds. Their mystery menu consists of various meal courses for every appetite – with choices that range from two to five courses. If you’re not feeling a daring date night, however, customers can also opt to select from their Meat, Fish, and Vegetarian menus. After eating, guests are given a test form to see if they can identify what they had ate. Rest assured, it’s no Soup #5 – everything will be revealed in complete detail.
At Noche, being distraction-free is fundamental. Phones, cameras, and other sources of brightness are highly discouraged – that means leaving your selfie sticks and ring lights at the door. But don’t hashtag #FOMO just yet, because you’ve still got good, old-fashioned conversation. Yes, people can still actually do that in 2017. Noche claims that rediscovering what it means to eat with friends is part of the optimal experience. But how dark is “total darkness” exactly? You won’t even be able to see your hand if it hit you right smack in the face. Disorienting as it sounds, it eventually makes for a truly one-of-a-kind meal.
In partnership with Resources for the Blind, a globally renowned organization that supports the blind and visually impaired community, Noche provides a means to aid disabled individuals in the Philippines in creating livelihood. More than just delicious dishes, they also serve up perspective and a glimpse into the world of people who are often put in the back burner of society. That kind of foundation makes for a remarkable vision we’d pay to see any day.
Noche: Dine in the Dark is located at 4L A. Venue Suites, cor. Gen. Luna St., Makati.
Open Fridays to Sundays at 6:00PM and 8:00PM.
Visit dineinthedarkmanila.com for more information.