From France 24:
In many ways this restaurant “in the dark” can be compared with its wicked neighbour: a sensual feeling creeps in as one walks into a dark mysterious room, where complete strangers share the same table. Many find the atmosphere thrilling. Others find it somewhat unsettling.
Before entering the dark void, one is greeted in a brightly lit bar where diners are asked to lock up all their belongings including digital watches and their mobiles. Customers wait as their names are called out: “Mohamed and Julie, you both are on Elizabeth’s table.” I don’t know either of them!
To add to everyone’s excitement, the Dans le Noir team strongly recommends the surprise menu. Once the order is placed, the real adventure begins. Diners hold on to one another as they make their way through a dimly lit passage. “And especially watch out for the bottle,” shouts out the waiter escorting us through the corridor. He may be blind but he’s no different from most of the gruff Parisian waiters. (Bottles, by the way, are always put in the middle of the table and not on the side.)
And finally, after passing through two curtains, I am allowed to enter Dans le Noir’s dark dining room. The complete darkness makes me fumble and become claustrophobic. As I get accustomed to my surroundings, I feel more at ease. I can throw my table etiquette out of the window, pick my nose, and stick my tongue out at my neighbour. As I imagine myself behaving like an eight-year old, the diner sitting behind me reassuringly grabs my shoulder. “Take it easy, Sam,” he says. My name is Elizabeth.
Once seated, I explore the table top with my hands, trying to locate the cutlery. I hit my neighbour by mistake. The bottle is safely placed in the middle. The starters arrive, and the plate feels big. I decide to take advantage of the darkness and eat with my hands – only God can see me!