Dans le Noir…in NYC?

Word on the foodie street is that Dans le Noir is coming to NYC. The rest of the details are kinda hazzy… it might be in the East Village, or the West Village…or maybe perhaps somewhere on Bowery. Who knows? I’m going to call Bowery since low-key-yet-upscale-dining has seen in influx here within the past year (Double Crown, DBGB, etc).

Here’s the funny thing - Dans Le Noir’s global website claims their NYC restaurant will open up before the end of 2009 AND you can already sign up for priority reservations (which I did since I’m genuinely curious about this place). Yet there is no solid location yet? So NYC….

So why should we care about this place? Good question. This will be the first of the “eating in the dark” restaurants in NYC. A trend that seems to be sweeping the culinary capitals of the world (locations are in Paris, London, Barcelona, Bangkok, and Moscow). Menus are vague yet interesting: You choose from either: meat, vegetarians, fish, or the chefs surprise (which will be my personal choice). According to the restaurant they promise that “With the help of our blinded guides you are going to completely re-evaluate the notion of taste and smelling through our gastronomic and pedagogical process.” Re-evaluate my notion of taste ehh?? You’re ON!

Mind you, this isnt the first ‘dark eating’ experience in the US. California boasts Opaque which is in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles. But its not the very global and very famous Dans Le Noir. Will this restaurant be a hit? Or will it close within the year - who knows. But you can be sure I’ll keep you posted.