There is a non-traditional restaurant opening in New York City late this year or early next year. The restaurant is called "Dans Le Noir?" and will be located at 107 Norfolk Street in the Lower East Side. Dans Le Noir is a French chain restaurant that has been successful overseas in cities including Paris, Barcelona, and London. The restaurant serves international food with a French influence.
The reason why this restaurant chain is so unusual is because "diners eat in pitch black unable to see each other or their waiters and unaware of their exact menu." The translation of "Dans Le Noir" is "in the dark." Furthermore, another non-traditional characteristic of the restaurant chain is the waiters are all legally blind. "Anyone can apply to be wait staff but the blind are the only ones that can survive navigating in the pitch black."
The committee gave the restaurant the "green light" to move towards a liquor license. Now the chain must be approved by the full board. Though, the board is already pleased and impressed with the chain because, besides the alluring idea of the restaurant, the company donates 10% of its profits to various charities worldwide.
I believe this chain will do well in New York City, especially if it has been successful in London, Barcelona, and Paris. The concept of this chain is so abstract and exciting, at least it is to me. I believe Americans like trying new things outside of their comfort zone, and this is something out of our comfort zone. An additional benefit is the restaurant offers traditional food versus strictly French food. If this restaurant does well in its first American appearance, we will definitely see more of it around the country, which could possibly lead to a new trend of "sensory" or "unusual" restaurants.
http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2010/08/17/new-restaurant-will-give-diners-a-taste-of-darkness/?KEYWORDS=restaurant
I have only ever seen this idea played out on film, but it didn't seem that successful. I believe that this is an interesting concept, but I am not sure if it will be a "one hit wonder" or lasting fixture in the city. This restaurant will definitely allow people to focus on the taste of the food rather than the commotion going on around them. I'm interested to see how people like their first experience and whether they would return or recommend it to other people.
ReplyDeleteI also have seen this in a movie, and was very confused by it. I did not know that there were actually restaurants like this. Although I think that it is unusual and different which could draw many followers, I do not see that as a reason for people to go there during this recession. Although there is talk of us coming out of it, I believe the only way any restaurant will stay in business is low prices and something unique. It is safe to say this restaurant is unique, but what are the prices compared to other restaurants? ALthough there are good intentions with donations, it is hard for people to give away money they do not have.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I live in New York so I am used to hearing about these kind of strange trends or things. In the city itself you can easily run into something strange or unusual like this restaurant idea. I went to the city Labor Day Weekend and went to a toy store that was five stories high and had a ferris wheel in it! So I think this Dans Le Noir restaurant will be a great idea to try out in the big apple. I would only have to ask a few questions about it. How would the customer know what he or she was ordering? How do the waiters find there way around to the tables with trays of food in the pitch dark? And finally, How do the chefs cook the food with lights out?
ReplyDeleteSo my comment is not constructive, but I just read one of Chelsea Handler's books and there is a chapter about going to the London location of this restaurant. Chris, diners choose their dish before entering the dining room. The waiters are legally blind, thus able to navigate the room using their natural abilities. It's an interesting concept - the kitchen is not pitch black.
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