I haven't tried it because there aren't any such dinners in the SF Bay Area, but it sounds intriguing. Dark dinners started in L.A. in July, with an extensive L.A. Times review (http://www.calendarlive.com/dining/cl-fo-journal27jul27,1,7033029.story?coll=la-headlines-food) and a segment on the KCRW Good Food program (http://www.kcrw.com/cgi-bin/db/kcrw.pl?show_code=gf&air_date=7/16/05&tmplt_type=Show also available through iTunes).

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It sounds as though these restaurants involve typical dishes that involve eating with utensils. I'm curious... though blind people are, of course, quite capable of feeding themselves, wouldn't the learning curve involved be prohibitively steep for those who are only blinded for one meal? Wouldn't trying to figure out how to get the food in your mouth be at least as distracting as whatever you would be looking at if you could see?

It's a neat idea... I'm just having trouble imagining how it would work on a practical level and would be extremely curious to hear about those aspects from people who have partaken.

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i first heard of these restaurants from my professor, who is from Switzerland. quite an interesting idea.

and #2, haven't you ever tried to eat food while closing you eyes? you'd be surprised, you can do it very easily. i mean, when you eat, you don't concentrate and stare at the food, as you try to put it in your mouth, do you?

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Are you kidding?

If I'm distracted by conversation, I miss my mouth regularly :-)

Joking, of course, but while I'm not always staring at my food as I eat it, I think the value of either peripheral vision or even a split second direct glance just to get the lay of the land can't be undervalued. Of course, I'd imagine it depends on the food a lot, too. Fish sticks aren't going to be terribly difficult, but I think of complicated salads where you have funky leaves sticking every which way and potentially chunks of meat or croutons or what have you... that's a difficult foodstuff to eat without looking at. Or any kind of long pasta, especially if done properly such that it wants to fight staying curled up on your fork. And I could see somebody happily finishing their pork chop only to realize that they completely missed the mashed sweet potatoes. I guess I just imagine that the restaurant would really have to design the menu very carefully.

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Dmnkly, I have one response: proprioception (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprioception). Even with your eyes closed, you can still find your nose with your index finger ... it's just takes a little more concentration (although a few drinks makes it even more challenging). On the plus side, if you missed your mouth with the funky leaves, no one could see the salad dressing all over your face. I think I'll give this one a miss ... the visual experience is part of the pleasure of a good meal.

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