Dining In The Dark Experience - Do You Have What It Takes?

AWG Private Chefs brings the blackout dining in the dark restaurant style experience to your San Francisco Bay Area, Napa, or Sonoma region home.

Dining in the dark originated as a restaurant menu concept in Paris in the late 1990s at Dans le Noir, and has since spread to other parts of the world, including major cities like New York, London, and Dubai. The dark dining experience concept has become increasingly popular among foodies, culinary adventurers, and groups of couples or friends looking for a unique private sensory dining experience. Dinner in the dark can be an excellent opportunity to discover new flavors, try unfamiliar dishes, and appreciate food in a totally different way, with the blackout absence of sight!
Dark room single lightbulb dining in the dark

Why Dine In the Dark?

The FUN! The most fun part of your dining in the dark experience is the discussion among the diners as to what they may think that they are eating. You won't believe the amount of laughter and fun!

The aim of dinner in the dark experiences are to enhance diners' sensory experience by relying on their senses of taste, smell, touch, and hearing to enjoy their food. By removing their sense of sight, diners are challenged to focus on the flavors, textures, and aromas of the food, resulting in a more immersive and memorable dining experience.

Experience what it's like to Dine In The Dark:

Discover a culinary adventure like no other at with our exclusive "Dine in the Dark" experiences. Step into a world of darkness where your senses take center stage and let your taste buds embark on a thrilling culinary journey. Once seated at your table, begin to enter a pitch-black world by dawning your provided silky blindfold, as your vision fades away, your remaining senses heighten and amplify the flavors, textures, and aromas that will dance on your palate. 

From the moment you take your first bite, every morsel becomes a tantalizing surprise, delivering a symphony of tastes that ignite your imagination. With each course expertly crafted to provoke curiosity and stimulate your senses, eating in the dark promises an unforgettable culinary experience that will leave you enlightened and craving for more. Are you ready to surrender your sight and embrace a world of gastronomic wonders?
Man blindfolded eating during dining in the dark
Dining in the dark exeperience graphic featuring people eating with blindfolds

How is the food served?

All courses of your dining in the dark menu are served plated restaurant style by a member of our hospitality staff. All menu items are served in sizes to prevent the burden of having to use a knife to cut your food. Guests can either use their hands for a more tactile, and some will suggest a more romantic option to feed themselves or their dining partner, or using a fork or spoon.

When will the menu be revealed?

As the host of the dark dining experience event, you can choose to have us reveal the menu course by course, or at the end of the meal. Each guest will receive a printed menu card to commemorate their completion of their dining in the dark menu discovery challenge.

What dark dining menu options are available?

Prior to placing your booking, our client concierge team will send you a preference sheet questionnaire to complete. It will ask you a series of targeted questions as far as food allergies, dietary restrictions, and culinary style preferences. Based on the data that you provide, our multi-award winning Certified Master Chefs will curate a top-secret menu exclusively for you and your guests. We proudly utilize only locally sourced, organic, sustainable, and GMO free ingredients in all of our cuisine.

Bay Area Dining In The Dark Frequently Asked Questions:

How many dark dining courses can we enjoy?

Dark dining menus can consist of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of up to 10 courses. Just share with us the number of courses you wish to enjoy and we will custom curate that menu for you.

Do you offer wine or cocktail pairings?

Yes! AWG Private Chefs does not sell or supply any alcoholic beverages due to strict residential liquor laws. Our sommeliers & mixologists can create a suggested list of wines or spirits for you to have on hand. Our service staff will happily create and serve any client-provided alcohol.

Is AWG Private Chefs licensed and insured?

Yes! Since our opening in 2001, AWG Private Chefs has been fully insured for both workers compensation as well as general liability. All staff working at your event are our employees! Every member of our team carries one or more federal or state level food safety training and certifications. We do not utilize unknown third party staff or unlicensed independent contractors. 

What's included in my dark dining experience?

  • A custom-curated fully inclusive menu, void of stated guest allergens, compliant with their dietary restrictions
  • Your choice of any number of courses, from a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 10
  • All necessary china, flatware, glassware, black linen napkins, and black linen tablecloth
  • Keepsake silky blindfold for each guest
  • Professional service staff to serve & assist guests
  • Printed menu card commemorating your dining in the dark experience
  • Full on-site cooking, service, and kitchen clean up

Do I need anything special in my kitchen?

Your dining in the dark service team will arrive at your doorstep with all the essential ingredients and any specialty equipment necessary to cook your chosen menu in your kitchen. As long as you have a functioning refrigerator, stove, counter space, and sink, we can work our culinary magic and create a delightful dark dining experience for you.

What happens on the day of my dining in the dark experience?

Upon arrival at your home, your private dining service team will set your table and food preparations will begin. To protect the fun and integrity of the menu experience, we ask that hosts and guests are kept out of the kitchen area for the entire duration of the event.

Most hosts will encourage their guests to enter via a side entrance or backyard gate and gather outside until the event is to begin. Should someone need to enter the kitchen area, they must put on their blindfold, and a member of our staff will guide them.

Will you serve me anything really off the wall or strange?

Prior to your event you will get to choose how adventurous you wish your menu to be.  While we always invite you to push your culinary boundaries, we will always abide by your wishes.

Can we celebrate a special event during our eating in the experience?

Absolutely!  The more fun we can incorporate for you the better!  Just let us know how we can help celebrate with you!

How far in advance should I book my event?

We suggest booking as far in advance as possible to secure your date for the best schedule availability. All AWG Private Chefs enjoy full flexibility to change menu or headcounts at any time up to 10 days prior to your event date.

How do you handle food allergies or dietary restrictions?

Prior to booking your event, our concierge team will send you an electronic preference sheet questionnaire to complete. Simply let us know of any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or physician-diagnosed conditions. Your Dining in the Dark Chef will adapt your menu to accommodate your requests wherever possible.
Best Private Chefs in San Francisco Award 20242024 Best San Francisco Catering Company Award
Diablo Magazine Best of the East Bay Award for 2022 given to AWG Private Chefs

Discover Why AWG Private Chefs is Distinctively Different and Uniquely Special

For the most innovative, fun, and uniquely delicious Dining in the Dark dinner party experience you've ever had, choose AWG Private Chefs dining in the dark experience today. 
Book a Dark Dining Experience
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