Opaque - dining in the dark

Experience a world of sensitivity in a pitch-black dining room, guided by blind servers, at Santa Monica's V Lounge.

(877) 253-3998

2020 Wilshire Blvd (20th)
Santa Monica, CA 90403 34.031534 -118.483024

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Wilshire Montana, West LA

darkdining.com

Hours:

Fri-Sat 7pm-11pm

Email business»

Price:

$$$$

Opaque - dining in the dark

What People Are Saying About Opaque - dining in the dark

The Owner

Opaque - dining in the dark

Owner

Arriving in Southern California on the crest of the latest dining trend sweeping through Europe, based on an ingenious European concept that has enjoyed great popularity in cities like Berlin, Paris and Vienna the first ever Dining in the Dark experience is now available in Los Angeles. Just imagine that you can not see for an hour or two, that you are abandoning vision in exchange for a new, multi-sensual dining experience. Opaque is enhancing our senses of taste, smell, touch and hearing by abandoning one that we often take for granted? This is "Dining in the Dark." Brought to you by Opaque,…

Read more from the owner

The Editor

Martha Burr

Citysearch

In Short – Following a cultish dining trend in Europe and a celebrated stint on the Sunset Strip, this unorthodox experience of eating in absolute darkness remains unlike any other in Los Angeles. Arrive at its new location at V Lounge, order from a three-course prix fixe New American menu (it's $99 with choice of chicken, fish, steak or vegetarian) and then proceed to be guided by blind servers into a completely dark room to spend the next two hours hearing, feeling and tasting in an extraordinarily heightened way. Abandoning vision renews appreciation for sight, while simultaneously…

2 Star Rating: Below Average

06/14/09

great experience, bad food.

by mollypsca

I read the reviews here and made the drive to Santa Monica to try the unique experience with my Wife. Our server and guide through the dark was super nice, but she was smacking gum for the first 5 minutes of our interactions. It is true that other senses come out in the dark and listening to someone smacking on gum is not a great appealing.

In addition, the food was awful. In fact, I did not even eat my salad. It was like they took a bag of unwashed bitter mix and threw it on the plate with some sesame dressing. It was awful. Main's were okay. In truth it was like wedding food at 50.00 a plate.

Further, the tables and chairs were a very low quality, again like cheap banquet tables and chairs.

Yep, I learned a lesson - you can see quality in the dark.

With all of that said, it was a cool experience and something to talk about with friends, although very expensive!

  • Pros: something to talk about
  • Cons: food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/07/09

had I only an infrared eye between the other 2

by joshuatree12

Nothing, plain nothing, is what you get. In terms of what you see. But they offer you the world of senses on a silver tray it is up to you to choose whether you want to take it and where you want to take it. Do you want to listen, smell, touch, or taste, or all at once. It was a concert of senses conducted by our lovely waiter Michael. Do yourself a favor and request him.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/07/09

This Friday is the day of night

by testa123

I have been getting ready for this day a long time. I am putting my best gear on... gonna look real pretty, as there real beauty is proven when no one sees. This is so exiting and I will follow up when its on my 'seen' that done that list.

The Details on Opaque - dining in the dark

What to Drink:

Wine and beer are offered with the meal--differentiate the white wine glasses from red by feeling the shape of the glass.

Look Good:

Guests are asked to leave their cell phones in the lounge so as not to infringe on the collective sensory experience.

Know Before You Go:

It really is a pitch-black dining scene with a special dispensation by the fire department to eschew even exit signs. If you are inclined to claustrophobia be warned; it can also be a transcendent experience that opens mental boundaries.

Category:

New American

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Date Spot, Prix Fixe Menu, Hidden Find

As Seen In…

Message from Opaque - dining in the dark

  • Uniquely Splendid
  • Eye/Soul Opening
  • $99 for a 3 course dinner

Arriving in Southern California on the crest of the latest dining trend sweeping through Europe, based on an ingenious European concept that has enjoyed great popularity in cities like Berlin, Paris and Vienna the first ever Dining in the Dark experience is now available in Los Angeles.

Just imagine that you can not see for an hour or two, that you are abandoning vision in exchange for a new, multi-sensual dining experience. Opaque is enhancing our senses of taste, smell, touch and hearing by abandoning one that we often take for granted? This is "Dining in the Dark."

Brought to you by Opaque, the dining in the dark experience allows you to willingly plunge into a world of sensitivity you have never experienced before, taking you through a journey of taste, sound and touch, all in the dark.

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