RESTAURANT REVIEW: Dans Le Noir, Clerkenwell ***** (From News Shopper)

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Dans Le Noir, Clerkenwell *****

4:54pm Wednesday 28th April 2010 in Freetime By Dan Keel

EATING a fine-dine meal in complete and utter darkness is an experience I thought I would never have.

It is also an experience which was impossible to imagine.

Before venturing inside the incredible Dans Le Noir restaurant in Farringdon we were greeted in the foyer by the irrepressible manager, Dominique, who explained what the evening had in store.

"Please would you be so kind as to lock all your bags and coats into one of our lockers.

"We don't want any light or anything glowing once you get inside", he said.

"Your waiter, Carl, will guide you to your table."

After pre-ordering our food - a straight choice between meat, vegetable, fish or 'surprise' - we formed a human train behind blind waiter Carl who carefully led us into the pitch black dining room.

It was no surprise to find all our other senses suddenly became heightened. The smell of people's food was amplified - as was the sound of people's voices.

But of course most importantly - so was our taste.

An experience such as this must make poor food seem terrible and good food taste divine.

Fortunately, Dans Le Noir proved it's not a tacky gimmick, and that as much effort goes into its food and wine as its determination to block even the smallest speck of light from entering its dining room.

All of the waiters were immaculately trained, ensuring comfort and relaxation as we were led to and from our seats.

Meals arrived promptly and were perfectly cooked. As we sat laughing a joking while guessing what we were putting in our mouths, the sublimely polite Carl was always on hand to help with lost cutlery.

Out of a party of four - not a single one of us described our meal correctly.

As we stood in the foyer and Dominique showed us our meals, our eyes gradually became used to daylight once again..... but it took much longer to adjust to what we had actually just eaten!

Living in London is an expensive old game. But having experiences like this available on your doorstep makes the big smoke worth every single penny.

A two course meal for two with wine comes to £103.

Visit danslenoir.com or call 020 7253 1100