As part of our anniversary week celebration, Sherry and I went downtown to Abigails Kitchen to “Dine in the Dark” last night. Our host, Abby Hitchcock is a graduate of Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School, a certified sommelier and a judge on Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay.” She has owned the restaurant for 27 years.
Our adventure began upstairs in the bar, where Abby gave us our eye masks and explained what was going to happen. She then led us downstairs, where we put the masks on and entered a lower level dining room, being guided to our seats by a team member. We quickly felt around for our cutlery, waterglass and a first non-seeing experience which was housed in a box on the table.
All total there were six couples, and our table had Jim and his son David, newlyweds Emmerson and Jack as well as us. Lack of sight makes you want to connect more, and we immediately starting to get to know each other, having fun attempting to clink wine glasses and learn each other’s stories.
Four courses of food were served, with four well-paired alcohol selections. The food was delicious and different and we ate sometimes using cutlery, other times with only fingers. We compared notes with the other diners in a quest to discover what foods we actually were eating.
Sherry and I found the experience interesting and meaningful. Our senses of hearing, smell and taste were amplified, and the atmosphere was intimate. For me, I found a heightened awareness of my body. All the muscles and tendons that I have been overworking at the gym became noticeable and I found my self massaging the aches. Touch seemed to be so important to me, that several times during the evening I reached across the table to hold Sherry’s hand, or perhaps mingle our feet together.
I would happily go back and repeat the experience. Well worth it and impressively done.