‘Dining in the Dark’ // Fever
‘Dining in the Dark’ was délicieux!
Fever’s ‘Dining in the Dark’ at C’est Bon Restaurant in Woolloongabba offers a distinctive culinary adventure that heightens your senses by dining blindfolded. This immersive experience transforms a traditional three-course meal into a sensory journey, allowing you to savour each bite without the influence of sight and preconceived food judgment.
C’est Bon exudes an old-world, speakeasy charm, with Le Bon Bar offering a wine list of French drops and a complimentary signature cocktail for all ‘blind diners’ before the main event. Once seated in the ambient dining room, patrons soaked up the atmosphere, preparing for the sensory experience, with a friendly server ensuring safety in the dimly lit environment and providing amuse-bouche, setting the tone for the evening.
After a brief introduction, blindfolds are provided, and the dining experience begins. The menu features a surprise three-course meal, with options including meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. Each course is crafted to surprendre and delight, with flavours and textures that are more pronounced when not influenced by the preconceptions of sight.
The experience was made even more memorable by the warm and engaging host, Liz. Between each course, Liz took the time to converse with the guests, creating a relaxed atmosphere despite the disorienting nature of dining blindfolded. Her friendly and professional demeanour made everyone feel at ease, offering light-hearted conversation and guiding us through the sensory experience with ease. Liz’s thoughtful approach allowed diners to embrace the unfamiliarity of the experience, making the evening both enjoyable and fun. Her attention to detail and personable nature added a comforting layer to the unique adventure.
Attendees have praised the event for its unique concept and execution. One guest noted, “a fantastic and well-thought-out experience. I really had to rely on other senses to get my way through the table and carefully grab my wine without spilling it or missing my mouth!” Another young man wondered what it would have been like to watch the diners navigate their fine French meals while blindfolded. That in itself would be a voyeuristic treat!
Although we had the opportunity to express our preferences for meat, fish or vegetarian, and our individual allergens information was considered, we did not get to peruse the menu until after the event, when a QR code was given and the vibrant, visually stunning courses sprung to life on all the phones in the room. What a talented staff headed by Owner and Director, Chef Andy Ashby producing dishes such as Café de C’est Bon BBQ Veal Tongue with Mustard Crème and radish and Trout en Papilotte with Vermouth Beurre Blanc and leek mornay. A fun sensory puzzle was the Crab Caviar Kit for the seafood selectors, served in a traditional Kaviari (Paris) tin, creating confusion at first, but once this reviewer figured out how to get the tiny taste explosions from tin to fork to mouth, the adventure began and we knew it was going to be a fun ride indeed.
‘Dining in the Dark’ at C’est Bon offers an unforgettable dining experience that challenges your perceptions and enhances your appreciation of fine French food. Whether you’re a local or visiting Brisbane, this event is a must-try for those seeking a novel aventure culinaire.
For more ‘Dining in the Dark’ experiences by Fever, visit their website.
