David and I had dinner at the “Vier Sinne” (Four Senses) Restaurant in Erdbergstraße 10 in Vienna. The interesting part there was that it was in complete darkness.

After drinking a glass of champaing and studying the drinks menu we went down into the cellar. In the dimly lit entry room we finished our champaign and got some last minute instructions. Then we were allowed into the “gate” in groups of two. The gate was a little room in between two sets of thick curtains, one leading to the entry hall, one leading into utter darkness. When in the curtains to the light room are closed leaving us in complete darkness. Then one of the blind guides – waiters, hosts – took us by the hand and led us to our table. The table number we had to remember of course before entering the room or they wouldn’t know where to lead us…

After only 30 seconds at the table I had a complete image of my immediate surroundings. I touched and feeled everything and so I knew were the cutlery is, where the bowl with the lemon water is to wash my hands etc. Really amazing. Even filling our glasses was no problem at all – only when drinking for the first time I underestimated the height of my glass and tried to pour the coke into my nose instead of my mouth – but gladly I realized it before it was too late…

As starter we had a large plate with “komponent food”, meaning food made from single easy to define components. Right in the middle of the plate sat a cup with rocket salad with parmesan. All around the cup I found a skewer with mozarella and tomatoes, a slice of grilled bacon, grilled eggplant and bell pepper, a dried tomato and a little bowl with olives. The second course was a creamy vegetable soup but I have no clue whatsoever which vegetable it was made of…

The main course was rather complicated to eat especially because I tried – becoming carefree after successfully eating the soup with a spoon – to eat with cutlery. So fork in the left hand I guided it with my right hand to the chicken. Now that the meat was successfully skewered, I gave it a try with the knife. Now lacking a third hand to guide the knife to the correct place I cut aproximately half of the chicken. And of course I only realized it when I tried to put it into my mouth… So I disposed of the knife and used my right hand to eat the chicken and to put rice and salad onto the fork in my right hand… I even managed to find my mouth with the fork without any further injuries. As dessert we got chocolate ice cream, a glass filled with cut fruit and a piece of bisquit cake.

In between the courses the time was used playing games and fulfilling assignments. We were allowed to write a letter, play tic tac toe, play a memory game with little eggs filled with different things so we could find out the pairs by shaking them and we got some things to feel and touch and find out what they were and then we had to swap them with the table opposite.

Finally I was brave enough paying in the darkness and then they put on music and we were supposed to dance to the exit. Gladly outside there was still only dim candle light because after more than three hours in utter darkness it can be really painful to go back into the light (anyone knows that when turning on the lights in the middle of the night). Outside we got a cocktail and could see the food we got before and the things we played and touched. Our letters were mostly readable but it is not a good idea to stop midwords and then try to continue at the same place.

Altogether an amazing evening! Everyone should try it once!