“Let’s try dining in the dark!”
It had all begun with an intriguing invitation from my best friend. The concept has been around for some time, and it was only recently I visited NOX at Club Street.
About NOX
NOX, meaning night in Latin, offers experiential fine dining in total darkness. Without vision, diners are invited to use our sense of taste, smell, touch, and sound, with NOX’s blind and visually impaired hosts providing guidance throughout the meal.
The Ritzy Restaurant
The two-storey restaurant comprises the lounge and the dining area. On the first floor, we were served amuse-bouche and their signature drinks.
Smoked salmon with caviar and tobiko cream cheese served in a vanilla cone, drizzled with honey mustard vinaigrette
— délicieuse in a bite
We were also introduced to the dining concept — a three-course meal of twelve mystery dishes served in absolute darkness. After storing our belongings (no phones or smartwatches) in a locker, we were then guided by our visually impaired host, Randy, to the dining floor above.
The Experience: A World in Darkness
Oh, it was indeed dark!
I am not privy to pure darkness, especially since it is my preferred sleeping arrangement. However, having to eat in the darkness was completely new and a strange feeling.
I could neither see my food nor my friend, and it was only her voice that assured me she was right in front of me.
A display of the seating arrangement
Being in awareness takes a lot of effort, and that is what exactly the meal entailed.
I had to use my sense of touch to feel for my cutleries, pour a glass of water, and find my food. As my olfaction is pretty much useless, I had to rely heavily on taste to glimpse what I was eating. And boy, was I so clumsy!
The Delicious Food: European Cuisine
Yes, no photographs or images
Each course was served in dishes of four — appetiser, mains, and desserts. Throughout the meal, Joslyn and I were fervently guessing what we had eaten. From succulent meat dipped in thick sauces to sweet and zesty dessert, I had truly savoured the food with slow bites.
Image credit to: Nox
After the meal was completed, we were guided back to the lounge and given a questionnaire to answer what we had tasted. Yes, the meal was more than just eating, we have to take a test too!
Unfortunately, it seemed I couldn’t differentiate between the meats. I had mistaken chicken for beef, and duck for pork. But! I have got the sweets somewhat down right — yes to yuzu souffle and chocolate!
Hopefully, I wouldn’t get offed if The Menu happened in real life.
Thoughts: An Unforgettable Experience
Dining in the dark isn’t only about a unique dining experience of enjoying food in the darkness. This concept had provided me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and try something different, have a greater appreciation of my senses, and to be in the present moment.
Featuring the bubbles of their signature mocktail and myself — using phone to record the ingredients of this complex appetiser.
The sensory meal was a great opportunity to truly enjoy our food and each other’s companionship, without being distracted by the multitudes of screens around us.
Although it would have been a bonus to have more conversation with our servers, I’d understand that it had been a busy evening. An eye-opening meal, I’d recommend everyone to try dining in the dark at least once.
Have a memorable evening with your loved ones at NOX.
Not a sponsored post.
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