Have you ever wondered what losing your sense of sight would be like? Well, you can try and simulate this at the Dark Table Restaurant.
Yes, I know you can shut your eyes and do tasks trying to simulate blindness, but that doesn’t put you in the same mindset /scenario as going to this restaurant does. If you decide to visit this restaurant you’ll be putting yourself in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by other tables filled with guests you’re unfamiliar with, and doing a task that you normally do with sight. You’ll need to trust the restaurant and its staff.
So the Cabbage family was able to be able to visit the Dark Table restaurant at the Calgary location in 2022, since we’ve visited this location has unfortunately closed down. But fortunately, their Vancouver location is still open for business.
If you’re curious about what it’s like to visit the restaurant, read on!
The Dark Table Experience
The Start
As you enter the restaurant through two sets of double doors to notify the hostess of your presence, you’ll notice how the intake room is quite dark, only lit with the reddish glow of a few bulbs.
The room was eerily quiet as the Cabbage group processed the situation wondering what was about to happen. I began to speak quieter as I began to notice how my words cut through the silence.
Once we sorted out the details of the reservation, we were asked to place all of our electronics and anything that could make light into a locker, which was then locked.
Our group was then asked to hold hands to keep us together as one of us was led by the waiter through a couple of doors of thick cloth. Once we reached our table the waiter guided each of us to our respective seats. This took a couple of minutes as there were five of us.
It was pitch black, we couldn’t see anything except a brightly lit red EXIT sign. The waiter then spoke the menu and each of us ordered. The waiter then let us know that he was going to leave and that he would be checking on us if we needed anything.
The Wait
So for our group, this is where things got interesting, at this point, you start to process that you can’t see anything. I started to feel around to see what the dimensions of the table were, where each of my group was, where the cutlery was, etc.
This was a strange feeling, it was as if I were blindfolded and I couldn’t take the blindfold off. Also, even though I knew I was in a large room it felt very small. My anxiety level rose quickly, there was a moment when I considered standing up and trying to leave the room. However, I started to stare at the red EXIT sign and focused on calming down.
I started to hone in on other groups having conversations, on the waiter reading out the menu to other patrons, on my family starting to talk about the situation, and that red EXIT sign. That red EXIT sign was the only reason I didn’t walk out of the room.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Cabbage need to leave the room as the whole experience was beginning to be a little much.
The waiter was alerted as he walked by our table. He escorted Mrs. Cabbage out of the room, into the dimly lit entrance room where she received a couple of glasses water and could see again.
At this point, I was able to get my anxiety under control and started secretly moving my brother’s glass of water to random points around him. This was great fun, as every time I could hear his hand searching for his glass of water I imagined his confusion. I could barely contain my laughter.
Ten minutes after Mrs. Cabbage left she returned, feeling much better and calmer.
The Food Arrives
The food arrives and we start to dig in. But we don’t know what we’re cutting into, or where to stab our forks. Trying to eat the salad was a nightmare! I wasn’t sure how exactly where the salad ended and the mashed potato began. I was often eating my salad with mashed potato, which wasn’t the most appetizing.
One of our group gave up the use of cutlery and started using her hands. I think she found success in this but it was messy so I don’t recommend it.
There was this really good garlic toast. Coincidently, my brother was holding the toast as I tried to pull it from his plate. I heard my brother, tell the person across from him to not steal his toast! He must have heard me snickering as he started to blame me for it. I confessed and told him how I was moving his water around. I was grateful it was pitch black as no one was able to see me crying from laughter.
Overall the food was alright, I wouldn’t say that is the main reason to go there. Honestly, I didn’t notice my sense of taste or smell get stronger. This is probably because I was only in that dark room for a short period of time.
After Dinner
After dinner, the waiter allowed each of us to ask him some questions about him not being able to see and his experiences.
This was quite interesting as we learned how he was able to play hockey and golf while being blind. Also, we discovered how difficult it is to raise a child while being blind. For example, dropping a child off to practice isn’t just about dropping them off and driving out, as a person who is blind it’s a whole ordeal involving Uber or trying to get friends to assist.
I think this was one of the most valuable things about the dinner. As this gave everyone at the table some insight into the daily life of people who are blind.
The Exit
We were then escorted out of the pitch-black room into the red room.
This too was also strange, as I was relieved to be able to see again. I realized how I’ve been taking my ability to see for granted.
We settled the bill, gathered our belongings from the locker, and left the restaurant.
Final Thoughts About Dark Table
Would I eat here regularly? absolutely not. This experience was uncomfortable. My inability to see raised my anxiety quite a bit. Mrs. Cabbage had to leave the room and the food was mediocre.
But this was an experience, and I am glad the Cabbage group was able to go. Going to the Dark Table was more valuable than going to a normal restaurant and eating a meal. This experience has taught us about the very unique and difficult experiences blind people face every day!
If you find yourself in Vancouver, I would recommend giving this unique eating experience a try. However, keep in mind losing one’s sight even for just an hour or two can cause varying levels of anxiety.
You can learn more about this restaurant by visiting their site at http://darktable.ca.
