What to Expect from Dining in the Dark in Houston
Ready to embark on a sensory adventure like no other? If you’re looking to tantalize your taste buds and awaken your senses, then this experience might just be for you.
Dining in the Dark in Houston is where darkness becomes the backdrop for an unforgettable culinary experience!
Here, you’ll need to embrace the unknown as you rely solely on your senses of taste, touch, and smell to navigate through a world of flavors and surprises. Find out what to expect from the experience of dining and see if you’re up for the challenge!
It’ll be a unique experience.
Once you sit down at your pre-chosen seat, you’ll have ample time to take a few sips of wine before the lights are gradually dimmed.
While the surroundings weren’t pitch black for the waitstaff’s safety and convenience, sanitized blindfolds were handed to us to really block off our sense of sight.
The aroma of food from the kitchen wafted through the air, and we don’t know if it’s just the novelty of the experience, but it did smell stronger and piqued our curiosity.
The menu we selected was served to us and each dish was placed down without any explanation to surprise us with the taste. The dishes are presented one at a time.
They gave ample time to eat, allowing us to savor and appreciate the unique flavors, textures, and aromas without any visual distractions. If you ask, the staff can also offer wine or beer pairings to complement the food.
Without sight, we had to experiment with different utensils and eventually opted for a more “hands-on” approach. It takes some getting used to but the choice is yours!
The entire experience lasts a maximum of 90-minutes. The enchanting ambiance and strong flavors created a truly unforgettable experience especially if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary.
Address: 927 Studewood St #100, Houston, TX 77008, United States
Pricing: $80 per person
You’ll get quality food.
The Dining in the Dark experience in Houston is hosted by Mastrantos. This neighborhood restaurant features international flavors from Europe, Latin America, and Asia, with a focus on Spanish and Venezuelan tastes.
For their Dining in the Dark experience, they don’t reveal the exact dishes that are served so there’s an element of surprise for diners. To facilitate a smooth flow for everyone, they streamlined the menu into 3 manin categories:
Green for Vegan Diners
The Green menu set, specially crafted for vegans features flavors of the Mediterranean. The starter combines fresh orchard produce with a light and fluffy base.
The main course takes a traditional Mediterranean dish and adds a vegan twist to it by replacing the protein with something that looks and tastes the part. And for dessert, you get to savor a harmony of soft, creamy layers complemented by bold and bitter flavors.
Blue for Seafood Lovers
You can dive into a culinary adventure with the Blue menu set, a seafood lover’s delight. They start you off with an appetizer that combines the freshness of land and sea, drawing inspiration from both French and Venezuelan cuisines.
The main course brings you the catch of the day, prepared with an Italian-Southern fusion that has sweet and sour notes. And for the perfect finale, an Italian-inspired dessert featuring delicate layers that create a subtle texture contrast closes the meal.
Red for Meat Lovers
For meat enthusiasts like us, the red menu satisfies the cravings starting with a warm and flavorful broth, infused with a spicy Mexican-inspired blend that sets the tone for what’s to come.
The main course features a Mediterranean cut of meat cooked in a flavorful blend of spices. And to cap off the meal, they serve a perfectly blended creamy and sweet dessert.
According to science, your sense of taste and smell will be elevated
Admittedly, the whole dining in the dark experience is an exciting concept, but it’s not just a trend. Psychological and scientific studies have shown that a staggering 80 percent of people “eat with their eyes”, relying on sight to shape their perception of food.
But when you dine in the dark, that sense is eliminated. Our sense of taste and smell heighten and intensify, resulting in a truly extraordinary culinary experience.
Thus, with the absence of visual cues, your taste buds are free to explore the intricacies and nuances of flavors in a way you may have never experienced before.
Alternative in the Dark Dining Experiences
Other restaurants offer similar experiences across Houston.
- Henderson Heights Pubs offers a Dine in the Dark experience similar to the one above but with a menu focused on American cuisine featuring dishes like avocados stuffed with chicken and Caprese and handmade empanadas.
Address: 908 Henderson St, Houston, TX 77007, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-714-8367
- Indianola in the east end of the city also has a dining in the dark experience. The owners of the restaurant serve courses inspired by modern Texas dishes like their Gulf Crab and Corn Campanelle served with toasted masa and fermented chili powder.
Address: 1201 St Emanuel St, Houston, TX 77003, United States
Phone Number:+1 832-582-7202
Pricing: $80
- Be More Pacific, a Filipino Restaurant in Houston serves up traditional dishes from the Philippines, as well as fusion dishes that incorporate American elements in pre-chosen menus for their eating in the dark experience.
Address: 506 Yale St Suite E, Houston, TX 77007, United States
Phone Number: +1 832-582-5264
Pricing: $80
