The “Dining in the Dark” trend is said to have begun in Europe during the early ’90s and the experience has since spread all over the world. The folks behind Fever are now making the dinners available in 30 cities worldwide including Tucson.
On Thursday, November 30, grab your pals and immerse yourself in an evening where taste, touch, and smell take center stage, challenging your senses in unexpected ways. The Dining in the Dark experience is happening at 6 p.m. at Culinary Dropout, 2543 E. Grant Rd. (there’s another coming up in December but it has already sold out).
(Photo courtesy of Dining in the Dark and Fever)
Here’s how the 90-minute experience works:
You’ll be blindfolded upon arrival
Someone will guide you to your table
An initial fumbling for cutlery becomes part of the thrill
No peeking
You’ll embark on a three-course meal blindly — utilizing your other senses throughout the dinner
There are three different three-course meals to choose from: Seafood, Meat, and Vegan. Here are the menus, which only hint at what you’ll be eating.
Dining in the Dark Menus
Vegan Menu
Starter
A sweet serenade of nature’s bounty — a sweet, zingy, and rich garden harvest.
Main
An array of textures and flavors unite in a passionate embrace. Each element comes alive in a composition that stirs the senses, inviting all to explore.
Dessert
Surrender to the intoxicating aroma of a timeless classic, where each bite carries you to a realm of pure delight. Paired with a comforting embrace, this tantalizing duo is an invitation to savor the moment.
Seafood Menu
Starter
The essence of the ocean is complemented by the embrace of vibrant greenery, a kiss of smoky citrus, and a delectable sauce.
Main
AÂ canvas of harmonious flavors unfolds, showcasing a salty centerpiece and creamy grains paired with the essence of golden sweetness and a bountiful garden harvest.
Dessert
A symphony of mousse and crunch dances on your palate. Drizzled with a delicate cream, it’s an intimate encounter with the sweeter side of life.
Meat Menu
Starter
Sweep away your senses with a fusion of delectable delights, where velvety textures intertwine with playful sweetness.
Main
Journey into the heart of flavor, where the seductive sizzle of tender meat meets the forbidden allure of grains with a fiery kick.
Dessert
A confectionary marvel awaits, draped in dark, velvety decadence. A tantalizing crunch adds intrigue to this nocturnal rendezvous.
Tucson Foodie is a locally owned and operated community. Thanks to our partners and members, we are able to offer paywall-free guides and articles. We value your support and invite you to become a Tucson Foodie Insider today.
At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.