An Adventurous “Blind” Date in NYC

We are standing outside with ten others parties — waiting to be seated. Us diners are getting restless — our hunger is growing, as well as our anticipation. I’ve been parking my car outside of this restaurant for the past 8 months — seeing crowds of people with weird goggles grasped in their hands. Tonight is our night to try it out.

how was I going to go to the bathroom???

Blackout

Finally it was our turn. “Sha-nn-aahh”. Yes that’s us. We approach the hostess who wants to confirm our food restrictions. “Yes, he is allergic to soy, and I don’t eat meat or chicken — besides bacon.” These seemed like easy requests compared to the group of five girls ahead of us who each have a list of foods they do not “like”.

We are led into a restaurant. A dark restaurant. Wearing blackout goggles. I cheat and open my eyes, but I cannot not see anything. The sense that we most rely on is unavailable. How am I going to survive the next few hours without seeing my fiancé? How are we going to carry on with a conversation without seeing each other? And, of course, how was I going to go to the bathroom??? Big questions, with only one answer: let whatever happen happen.

My fiancé and I are led to our table. We feel around — there is a glass, a fork and knife. We feel for each other’s hands and faces. Unlimited wine is included and we try — successfully—not to knock off our glasses off the table. We try — unsuccessfully — to drink our wine without spilling. For the first two hours, we are successful, but that moments arrives when disaster has struck in the form of red wine over a crisp white button-down shirt. In order to get the waiter’s attention, we raise our hand. “Oh yes you need a napkin…oh maybe we are passed that point”, the waiter says as he (presumably) stares at my fiancé’s shirt. We both chuckle and keep eating.

Utensils are so overrated

When you can’t see what you’re putting into your mouth, you want to feelwhat you’re putting into your mouth. But I was brought up with “proper etiquette” so touching food while sitting in a restaurant is a big no-no. So, touching my food is both unnerving and liberating — I don’t have to be concerned with how others “see me”.

Our lack of sight also leads to amplified hearing. The noise is so great, comforting, strange, and surprising. It is a whole new environment to explore.

an intimate experience

After the first course, we have the opportunity to connect on a much deeper level. I would not suggest this for a first, second, or even third date. There’s no reassurance from the other person that they like or even agree with what you were saying. Dining in the the dark is an intimate experience.

Over the next two courses, the conversation and wine continues to flow. Without even realizing it, the waiter continues to refill our glasses — we don’t even sense his presence. After finishing our meal, we experience the big reveal and take off our goggles. We are amazed by where we were sitting, as our entire perception of room’s configuration is off. But, does it matter? No.

And the bathroom? I avoided it altogether.

Note: you might want to know about the food, but I don’t want to give away the entire experience — I highly suggest you go there!

Where to go

Camaje — Dinners in the Dark $$
85 MacDougal St
Greenwich Village

Shanah is always on the hunt for good vegetarian food — Smorgasburg has a bunch.