When my husband first told me he wanted to eat at NOX Dine in the Dark restaurant in Singapore, I thought he was crazy. Dining in the dark? Imagine eating a three course meal in total blindness. Why would anyone want to do that?

Heightened expectations

Well, I’m so glad I did. It turned out to be educating in many ways. NOX was the highlight of our holiday, a relaxing, freeing, and yet humbling experience.

Don and I first had a drink in the lounge area while the engaging host, Hafiz, told us what to expect. We were also told, once seated at our table, we were not to get up unless guided out. In other words, pee first. We also had to surrender our cell phones and my husband’s luminous watch, safely tucked in a locker. No lights allowed. Before we were taking upstairs to our table, we met and shook hands with our waiter, R.

Hafiz led us single file up a dark staircase with another couple, our hands on the shoulders of the person in front, like a Conga line. The man in front of me was quite tall, and, as we went up the stairs, I could hardly keep my hands on his shoulders. I had to tell everyone to slow down. Yes, I was afraid of getting lost. The total darkness was disorienting at first. I nearly fell forward when I took one last step where there wasn’t a step – you know the feeling.

Waitstaff as coaches

Diners are coached by a sight-impaired waiter who, of course, has no difficulty navigating a crowded but familiar dining room, sightless. After we were seated at our own table, R. asked for my hand, and then guided it to where my glass of wine, empty water glass and fork had been placed (I was glad to have a fork; most restaurants in Singapore give you only chopsticks). R. then set a bottle of water on the table and instructed me to stick the tip of my finger into my water glass and pour until I felt the water.

Nervous, I asked if he could do it for me. He said, “No, I can’t do that.” Oh, yes, of course not, I realized. I wouldn’t want his finger in my water. Silly me.

And then we waited for our first course. I felt almost giddy with excitement. I realized our table was against a wall, so I set my wine glass at ten o’clock along the wall. Don said he moved his hand in slow motion with his pinky held up as a guide.

Navigating through the meal

Each course (appetizer, main dish, dessert) had four different dishes, each in their own hand-sized square bowl, set snug in serving tray. The tray was placed in front of you. Hafiz suggested we eat counterclockwise. We brought each bowl to our mouth so we didn’t spill.

Navigating the table and eating was much easier than I anticipated. Identifying what we were eating was not.

We’d seen an episode of Hell’s Kitchen where Chef Ramsey had the chefs sample food blindfolded and identify what it was to “test their palate.” We laughed at how wrong their guesses were. Little did we know how hard it is.

A new sensory experience

But what a sensory experience! Aroma, texture and taste took on a new, heightened dimension. Each little bowl held its own delights and surprises with something smoky, something smooth, something crisp. Mellow, tart, savory, sweet and spicy flavors thrilled us. Crunchy round things, skinny chewy things, crumbly things – all delicious – filled our mouths. We probably sounded like goofballs as we tried to decipher what we were eating: “What is this? It’s chewy! Mmm. This tastes like duck. Do you think it’s pork? What bowl are you tasting now? Is that your water glass or mine?”

We heard noises – glasses and silverware clinking and people chatting – but the only voices I was tuned into were R.’s and Don’s. No one else mattered, which made the evening feel incredibly intimate. I felt uninhibited, not having to worry about appearances. Who cared if a bit of calamari was stuck in my teeth, or gravy dribbled down my dress? I also felt a sense of vulnerability, just sitting there, waiting for whatever. I trusted our waiter completely. I had no choice.

Treasure your sight

When we were finished, R told us “Treasure your sight,” and we were led back down the stairs. In the lounge, what a surprise it was to view photographs of what we had eaten! We were dead certain one of the desserts had apples; it was strawberries! NOX wouldn’t want me to share the menu, lest it spoil the surprise, you know, in case you travel to Singapore, but I will say it was tasty, with highlights of truffle pecorino, Moroccan spices, lime, yuzu, and béarnaise. You can read a sample menu on their website for an idea of the type of cuisine served.

Dining in the dark allows you to be more open minded toward what you’re tasting, since we often make judgements based on appearance. It was also fun to focus on my husband and dinner without being distracted by others or my surroundings. I learned to slow down when I eat. For the rest of my trip, I was more adventurous in what I ordered for meals. I inhaled fragrances, noted the textures, and relished the taste of what I ate.

I also have a new appreciation for my sight. Thank you to Hafiz, NOX, and our amazing waiter, R! We were so caught up in our own experience that I didn’t really think to ask him what it’s like to have the tables turned, as it were.

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