Review O.noir - Toronto

Very unique dining experience! The darkness really does heighten your senses. 2min after getting into the darkness, I felt my hearing immensely grew more sensitive to sound-- it was CHILLING. I love that this space is inclusive. Menu options and prices are quite great as well! And the entire team was incredibly friendly and kind!

This is definitely an EXPERIENCE worth trying! I gave it 4 stars because it took forever for us to get our food. We went on Valentine’s Day and it was packed. However we where there over 2 hours.. and all we got was bread, and entree. I didn’t get my dessert, so I asked for it when I checked out! Overall the food was good.. very flavorful! I had the risotto with shrimp. My husband had the filet mignon! But once we got our food, we ate very fast and then asked to leave. By that time we where 2 hours in and was just ready to leave at that point! We also had a small confrontation with a guy sitting next to us. My husband’s watch had a tiny glow. We have no idea how or why. But it caused a small glow dot and our neighbor was not happy about that. Needless to say, we kept the watch on.

I really enjoyed this unique experience. It is so different to rely on other senses and dine in complete darkness. The food is nothing special but it is good and the portion sizes are perfect. It is also fun to order the 'surprise' meal and drinks and then have a great time identifying what you are eating. The service staff are AMAZING. How they do what they do so well is beyond me. Our server made sure we were always comfortable and well taken care of. All of our courses also arrived very timely. This is a great date night spot.

I took my sister here for a birthday surprise and we had a fantastic time! The servers were extremely friendly and helpful. Instructions to follow into the dark room were very on point and they did an excellent job explaining where our chairs were. Now we decided to do surprise seafood and beef appetizers, surprise entrées, and surprise dessert, the surprise seafood was calamari and it was Excellent, we even wanted more. The reason why I didn't add the last star was before the rest of the food was plain. It wasn't horrible but I was just plain which for the price I wish it had a little more seasoning. BUT I will definitely come again just to experience this again with other family members! We had a blast.

Highly recommend this unique and fun experience! The waiters are so so nice and supportive. You feel a little uneasy at first but once you embrace the dark it’s quite fun and freeing. Also love that you can do surprise courses and cocktails. Will definitely go back!

This was a super unique and fun experience. Our server was amazing, super friendly and kinda. She made the whole experience very comfortable. I thought I would be anxious in the dark for so long and it was actually very calming. Portion sizes were a bit small but overall very tasty.

Was taking here as a birthday surprise by my sister, and what a surprise. My biggest complaint was that you pre-order your whole meal including drinks and desserts before you go into the darkroom. This is done by a sighted person. This is where the problem is. She was almost clueless which eventually cause problems for our server. Even with the problems, Dave our server did a great job. The food is okay nothing spectacular. Our seafood surprised starter was calamari rings on a bed of lettuce. My main filet mignon rare came pre-cut My sister had the meat surprise a pork lion in BBQ sauce. The dessert surprise was different varieties of cheesecake. I guess for safety reasons they do not serve tea or coffee. Eating in the dark was no big issue. We were asked to turn off all our smart devices, so no photos of our meals.

A great experience with amazing food. We expected it to be dark but weren't sure what we were in for. You pre-order before being paired up with a server and led into a completely dark room. I've never been in a room that dark before. In no time your drinks and food start showing up, and with some guidance from your server you're ready to navigate how you're going to proceed. The food was delicious, the server was amazing, and the cost was well below what I expected. Will definitely be going back.

Great experience! The food was really good! The Filet was perfect although eating the mystery seafood starter was a bit scarey but i let my imagination get the best of me haha The chocolate cake was delicious! Eating and trying to use your fork and knife in the dark is an adventure! I have to admit I did use my hands alot! the server was great. It did take some time between our 3 course dinner as he was the only server in the room dealing with 10- 15 tables alone. Overall it was a great experience and would do it again!

My fiancé have been to Onoir in the past, and have been bugging my parents to make the 2 1/2 hour trip back to Toronto with us to experience the amazing service, food and experience. They weren’t disappointed! They were a bit skeptical and anxious at first, but immediately calmed once they felt out the surroundings, and with the helping guidance of our server. Our server Gavin was super super sweet, and patient with us (and my dad who doesn’t have the best hearing in the world!) Would we make the trip back? Again and again. It’s a must-try and try again in Toronto for delicious food that makes your tastebuds dance, and an amazing opportunity to be in touch with your other senses (and actually have a family conversation rather than playing on your phones the whole time!) If I could give you a galaxy of stars, I would. Amazing!

The experience was worth five stars. The food was worth three stars, so on average four stars. Go for the experience. It's wild! The wait staff and service are great. I ordered surprise appetizer and surprise dinner - I just wish they were more creative with those and made meals that were not so easily recognizable. I got steak with green beans (maybe yellow I guess) and mashed potatoes. I was hoping for something like Octopus mousse rhubarb pot pie.

Overall onoir was not a horrible experience. It was definitely interesting eating in the dark. However, there were a number of hiccups. Our server was lovely however, service was often slow. The main course portions were small. The filet mignon was not cooked the way I asked. The fish dish was small and did not come with rice as advertised. Finally, payment was extremely confusing and unclear. We had a Groupon which was $64 for 2 people and a 3 course meal. This apparently did not include taxes as we were asked to pay tax on the spot. That was not clearly indicated in the fine print on the Groupon. I ended up paying $44 EXTRA for tax and gratuity which didn't seem right. On top of that, they did not give me a choice on how much gratuity to give. I was forced to give an 18% tip. After payment I noticed that they accidentally charged us for two glasses of wine (which I understand is an honest mistake). When asked for a refund the lady refunded me the price of the wine plus tax in cash. Unfortunately, I had already paid 18% gratuity on the wine and was never refunded gratuity as well. Without my knowledge I had given a 30% tip when she deserved less than 18%. With the amount of money we paid for our meal we should have gotten a much better quality experience. Will not be back.

This was an amazing experience - made even better by our waitress Tracy. The food was delicious and other than the "take your breath away" for the first couple of minutes when you enter total darkness, (and I mean total darkness)! it was a fantastic night. Great place

This is an experience not to be missed! Besides the food being awesome, and our server Gavin being so kind and entertaining we were most amazed to experience what people with a visual impairment must go through on a daily basis. When I say the dining room is completely dark, it is COMPLETELY dark. There is no light that seeps under doors or from curtained windows. It heightens your other senses and provides for some comedic moments. I put a forkful of nothing in my mouth and my friend accidentally put a green bean up her nose. This is a great experience that I highly recommend!

I took my 12 and 14 year old last night, and we had a blast. Food was tasty, and our server (Dave) was incredibly friendly and made us feel very comfortable. I loved all the giggles and laughter from my kids, and especially loved how it forced us to think about some of the daily challenges faced by people who are visually impaired, that we take for granted. It took a bit for our eyes to "relax" and stop looking for light. We laughed when we lost our fork, or didn't remember eating all our mashed potatoes. Although it was a bit messy to eat some things, we did manage to use utensils and get food to our mouth (I won't lie - dessert was messy!). Portion size was good for my hungry teenage son, too! A bit on the pricey side, but a "must do" just for the experience!

The seafood appetizer was fantastic as was the dessert. I wasn’t impressed with the shrimp rissito as the shrimp was extremely over cooked, dried out and tough to chew. The room we were in was freezing cold, so cold our table and utensils were like ice. I had to put my coat on all through dinner. Waitress was super nice and I absolutely loved the concept and experience. Only 3 stars cause of the frigid temps and poorly cooked shrimp.

Our experience there was amazing, completely different experience unlike any place I’ve eaten, sometimes you had to find your food with your hands or feel around for your fork, the food was great and so was the staff, 100% will be recommending to others and will be coming back myself :)

Super belle expérience. Excellent accueil, excellent service (notre serveur était Fae), il est très compétent, excellente bouffe pour un prix très juste. Je vous recommande le menu surprise, c'est très amusant et ça stimule les discussions.

Everything about this experience was amazing. The food was excellent, some of my party chose what they wanted but 2 of us went surprise all the way. It was fun trying to guess what you had! Our server and guide, Dave, was incredibly helpful and so much fun too. He made the experience just that much more enjoyable. The interesting thing was how other people in the room felt comfortable jumping into others conversations, the anonymity and the shared experience made everyone feel closer. Would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a unique experience.

Honestly, the food was great and the experience was awesome. Dave was incredible! I left feeling really happy and excited to go back again in the future. Cut to 5am. I am weak, puking like crazy, and I can barely make it to the bathroom because of dizziness. Now it’s about 24 hours later. The only thing I can keep down is water, my muscles are still weak and sore and I have a terrible headache. I am STILL dry heaving, and deciding whether or not I should go to the hospital. It’s my worst nightmare, I couldn’t see the food I was given, and whatever I ate gave me food poisoning. This is making me question the quality of the food that you are serving! Again, it kills me to leave a bad review because the entire experience was amazing, but as I sit here trying to do homework while my head is falling off I’m frustrated! Do better O Noir!

A very unique experience. I had read bad things about the food but our meals were amazing. The only thing that cold be better is the portion size. Our server was great too -- a very nice guy. Shout out to Dave!

Experience of dining in the dark was good and memorable but the service was just bad and very slow. They forgot my wine and had to ask for it three times to finally get it (just before my main course arrived). Food was luke warm and the server really needed training...no personality and no service skills. A little time spent training would go a long way. I'll be back for the experience in the dark but definitely not for the service.

It’s an amazing experience. The staff is very nice and friendly. We definitely recommend it.

This was an amazing experience to have your sight taken away from you it makes you open up your other senses! The server was amazing and the food was even better I would do this again in a heart beat

The food was gorgeous and our waiter Gavin was really friendly and helpful. Would recommend to friends and family

Love it... the food, wine, and great service. However, the most important to me was the experience to have all of those in a complete dark and having fun. Definitely, it has helped me to get a new perspective for some aspects of challenges that we face on a daily basis. Try it!

Although this restaurant is a one-of-a-kind and unique experience, it would not be for those who may have panic episodes or claustrophobia. The service from the visually impaired or blind wait staff was friendly and impeccable. Dave was fantastic and extremely friendly and outgoing. The food was well prepared and delicious; mine was 9.5/10 because nothing is perfect!

My daughter, who works daily with deaf blind individuals wanted me to experience this place for her birthday. And what an experience it was! Wow! Delicious food, fantastic wait staff and a greater, deeper appreciation for those who loss their sight.

Location: Toronto, CanadaEver wondered how it would feel to dine as a blind? ONoir shows how beautiful this experience can be.Each one of us is looking for a short escape from the mundane rat race we call life. But while we often escape from routine, we rarely manage to escape from thoughts our senses bring to us. Hidden on the streets of Toronto on Church street, a short walk from Bloor station, is an underground restaurant that can easily be missed. ONoir is a unique place that takes the dine-in-the-dark experience a notch higher. Not only are you served in a pitch dark setup, your servers are blind as well! There is just one simple but amazing rule to this place – No Cell Phone Allowed! It’s designed to make you focus on the beautiful moment at hand.

Fun to go with a group (the more the merrier). Been there twice in the same month! I would definitely go back again. Friendly staff and a great experience. Tried the seafood appetizer, fish and Filet Mignon main course, and surprise desserts. The food is actually good but the main part is eating in the dark. The only negative thing is that the service is a bit slow... it takes them a lot of time to get back to you between courses. A well-designed area where no light enters whatsoever. You order before entering and pay when you are out of the dark room.

Situated in the heart of downtown at Church Street and Charles St. (just south of Bloor Street), O'Noir has been keeping people in the dark for the past 8 years in Toronto and a decade at it's Montreal location. Not in any malevolent way, of course, it's just that patrons sit in the establishment eating their meal in the pitch black darkness of their dining room. <br/>It has since partnered with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and other community organizations to give the visually impaired mainstream employment skills. In any given week, 1,000 to 1,500 guests come through the door.<br/><br/>O'Noir offers up a package deal for their food menu options, also known as prix fixe. For a three course meal (starter, main course, and dessert) it costs $39.95, while a two-course meal (starter and main course or main course and dessert) will set you back $32.95.<br/><br/>I ordered the surprise appetizer, which came with a choice of meat, fish or vegetable. I chose the meat, and it was quite tasty. I'm guessing it was sliced pork atop some seasoned risotto. Feng emphasizes that the surprise dishes are quite popular with customers looking to add even more mystery and adventure to their dining in the dark experience.<br/><br/>The main course I chose was the Filet mignon, with green beans and mashed potatoes. This is the most popular main course choice according to Dr. Feng. Thankfully any meat course you order, they pre-cut the meat for you so my steak was already sliced into manageable pieces, forgoing the questionable feasibility of trying to use a sharp knife in the dark. The steak was quite good, cooked to my specifications (medium) by Chef Ashrafi and his team, and the potatoes and green beans were also tasty and well done, in my palette's humble opinion. The only annoying thing was trying to spear some meat, potato or vegetable and occasionally coming up to my mouth with an empty fork. A small price to pay however for such an unusual and interesting dining experience.

The concept of this place is unique. Eat in the dark!!. Food was amazing. However, I will give 2 stars for the service I got on Friday. The server was rude in telling us 3 times to vacant the table for the next serving. It was max an hour at the table n they were rushing us. I understand that there is a time slot to eat in and we may not have been aware of what is the exact time and surely there is a polite way of telling us how much time we have left. That made our experience a bit miserable. Moreover, washrooms had napkins thrown all over, toilets were not flushed. And the only one or two cabins that seemed decent did not have toilet paper. Overall, I think we should try the last serving time to avoid being sarcastically rushed to eat our food.

Food was good, but did not deliver on the experience. I had the suprise meat appetizer and a filet mignon entree. The filet mignon was tender and was accompanied by green beans and mashed potatoes. I couldn't figure out exactly what the appetizer was since it was dark and didn't know what I ordered. It was delicious nonetheless. However, I found the service was slow. My wife ordered dessert and it felt like we were waiting forever for it. She only ordered cake and ice cream.<br/><br/>While the restaurant aims to create a unique dining experience it also attempts to raise awareness on the challenges of the visually impaired. While the goal is certainly noble, I don't know that a restaurant is the right environment to teach this lesson. I find these goals are incongruent and encroach upon one another. I'm not willing to drop 40-plus dollars for the frustrating experience of eating an overpriced meal that I cannot see. I did not leave the restaurant feeling enlightened or having learned a valuable life lesson. While it's wonderful to stand up for marginalized persons, this restaurant comes off as pretentious in its attempt to do so.

I really like the concept.  You are basically eating in pitch dark and the goal is to only use the sense of taste.  However, because of this I was expecting alot more on their food since they don't have to worry about the presentation.  The food was just ok.  Since it was just ok I won't be coming back.  This restaurant has what it takes to be a good restaurant if they only hire a better chef.

Unique dining experience but a novelty concept. One visit is enough for me. The fillet minion was very good (cooked medium, well seasoned) and I recommend ordering that dish. The chocolate cake was extremely rich!

With O.noir it's more about the experience then the food.   I found the food to be boring, and the seating was uncomfortable.  I've been to this location 3 times and have tried different meals.  I find the meat with usually dry and not seasoned enough.  The ambience is the real gem of this restaurant.  You eat in complete darkness.  It is an extremely fun experience, just don't expect amazing food.

Conclusion of experience:  It was fun, different and exciting... food was NOT GOOD.  Its a nice date spot if your looking for a different dining experience.  Majority of other visitors were first timers also.  Absolutely not a place you would want to come back or come regularly.  Food sucks.  I agree with all the other people that have rated this place poorly after going here myself.  I had high hopes.   1)  Appetizer was just stir fried Portobello mushrooms with leafy greens and feta cheese - salty;    2)  Main entrée:   filet mignon --- medium rare --- it was cooked well done, and very plain, lack of seasoning, just awful.  4 small cooked potatoes (boiled plain) placed on the 4 sides of the dish.  The filet was placed ontop of scattered beans (boiled beans) which was also plain.... The mignon came pre cut (thank you)... but not worth the price;  3)   Dessert:   chocolate cake + vanilla ice cream --- vanilla ice cream was served in a small cup beside the cake... the cake was dry on the outside indicating it has been sitting around for sometime and tasted stale... just gross...

It's a good experience to eat in a pitch dark environment and feel like a blind. People are amazingly friendly, it's a good ambience and everything BUT food is terrible. The only reason I wouldn't go back is the food and price. It's way too expensive for quantity and quality. Just a pasta and chocolate mousse and I was out 40 bucks. I ordered veg pasta, it had no salt, no flavour, no sauce and hardly any veggies. I couldn't finish most of it and asked them to pack it for me and they packed only a portion of the left over which is unfair because I paid full price. On top of that they recommend 15-18% tip, which I don't think is okay seeing that the food is already too pricey. <br/>It took me a while to get adjusted to pitch dark environment but I got used to it. If the food was good and reasonable, I would definitely go back. However, still recommend it as a must have experience

In the wise words of one of our fellow diners, “woooooooooow”. Now, we don’t want her eloquent phrase to be misconstrued, but is O Noir an amazing restaurant? Not really. But the experience definitely is: dining in the dark for an hour or two, which in theory heightens your other senses.

The overall experience of total darkness is great, but the food quality isn't good (my main tasted like Minute Rice and VH Sauce, unfortunately), the bathroom stalls in the women's room have no sanitary disposal, so there were used feminine products strewn on the floor. When I wrote a professional and respectful email to the management about my concerns, they were completely unapologetic (and didn't articulate that the rice was not parboiled and that it was not VH Sauce), and didn't seem to understand how females need to dispose of used sanitary products while still in the privacy and hygiene of the stalls.  I will not be going back. It's really too bad, because it's otherwise such a smart restaurant idea and has the potential to be an excellent experience overall. If you're just going for the total darkness experience, give it a try and go for it, but buyer beware.

Went here with another couple on a couples' night out. When we were ready to go inside the dining area, our server gave us some basic rules and asked us to completely turn off our cellphones and anything that would light up inside. <br/>  <br/>Each of us held on to the shoulder of the person in front of us as we were led by our server in single-file. Now, the website claimed the servers were all blind but ours was not. She did have on some dark shades, which may have well been night vision goggles. <br/><br/> <br/>We were told to feel for our utensils and bread plate then we each got some bread from the basket brought to us. I managed to spread some butter into my bread instead of my fingers. Hooray! <br/><br/>  <br/>Our wine and water were always to be located on a certain side and we were all very aware of where they were. My friends and I committed to only wrist movements so we do not spill the drinks on each other!<br/><br/> <br/>We were then served the starters, main and later on the dessert. I had grilled calamari, Filet Mignon (which they cut up in bite size pieces) and for dessert, dark chocolate mousse. The grilled calamari was yummy--cooked just right with tomatoes and olive oil. The Filet Mignon was just ok, not great There was a side of potatoes and green beans as well. Dessert was divine, though. The mousse was so creamy and light, super chocolatey. When I had eaten all the mousse, I realized there was still the sponge cake. I convinced myself this was a deconstructed dessert :) <br/> <br/><br/>Dining in pitch black darkness forced us to maximize our sense of taste as our sense of sight was deprived. We savoured the flavours and had fun making sure we ate everything on our plate. While we had utensils, at some point, each of us had used our hands to feel for our food. One of our friends gave up and ate everything by hand—except the chocolate mousse, of course (I think...I hope). <br/> <br/><br/>They had other selections for starters, main and dessert such as salad, pasta, vegetarian dishes. They even have surprise meals which would have been great if we were more adventurous. That would have really forced us to figure out what we were eating based on taste and feel alone! But alas, we wanted our squid and steak so we will save the surprises for another time.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>The great thing about this was we were forced to focus on our food and our company. A great experience overall.

Food wasnt great, but not bad at all. Not sure if it wasnt as enjoyable because i couldnt see my food... Started off with amazing bread. Mushroom salad was good. Shrimp and risotto was good, nicely seasoned shrimp, but the dish wasnt exactly a risotto though. Tons of green beans, felt like that was majority on my plate, same with my partners filet mignon. The surprise dessert was good.<br/>Nasir was an excellent server.

Food was alright, but what an experience to the senses; makes you appreciative...was a bit of a mixed experience only because of the group I was with; but glad I tried this place at least once.

I visited O Noir with my girlfriend on Saturday night. We had talked about going for so long and we finally made it! What a cool concept. We ordered our food in the lobby area before being directed to our table in the "blacked out" room. After we were seated, our server brought us our drinks. Shortly after, we were served our starters. I had the calamari w/ tomatoes and it was pretty good. My girlfriend had the portobello mushroom and she enjoyed that as well. Onto the main course! We both had the steak and it had been cut up ahead of time for our convenience. Didn't take long before I ditched my utensils and ate with my hands. It was pitch black! You can't see a thing and your eyes don't adjust. Our server, Nazir (sp?), was fantastic. Definitely worth a visit if you are interested in a unique dining experience.

The two star rating is simply due to the experience. As a restaurant, the food is awful. We started with the octopus, which tasted like no octopus we've had before. It was very chewy and lacked flavour, but we were hungry so we stomached it. My girlfriend and I both ordered the marinated shrimp and risotto, what a mistake! The risotto literally had no flavour, I mean not even a splash of salt. The consistency was horrible, very mushy, not creamy like risotto should be. If that wasn't bad enough, the shrimp tasted like it has been cooked for hours, they were rubbery and had had no flavour as well. The plates didn't even come hot, the food is barely luke warm.It's really too bad because we were very looking forward to the food experience. We opted out to cancel our dessert, even though we had to pay for it. It is definitely a one time experience and not worth the price. Then when paying, on top of the ridiculously over priced food they ask if 15% gratuity may be added for your blind server. Who would say no to that?! Also, expect to wait up to 30 mins between courses, which is bad if you make plans afterwards. The food needs to be stepped up big time!

Loved the ambience and the experience of eating in pitch darkness. The food was all yummy (I had the chicken). Would recommend for those looking for something new.

An amazing experience. Very fun for dates or any group of people looking to have a great time. Absolute pitch darkness dinner makes you realize how lucky you are to have sight. Food is great. Pricey dinner but worth it atleast once for the experience.

What an amazing experience! The waiters are all blind which is a great concept! When I say it's pitch black in there you cannot see anything at all. Everything is cut up for you so it's really easy to eat and you pick what you want before you go in. I was feeling crazy, so I finished my evening with the "surprise dessert" which was really nerve wracking not knowing what they were going to bring and if I would even like it! But I did love it and I won't spoil it for you!

Amazing experience! The food was amazing. Victor gave us a great attention and the food itself was really good, we just requested a surprise for the main dish and it's really funny to eat blind

Definitely recommend this place! It is an interesting experience and worth a try. Although the experience itself was very interesting, the food wasn't good at alI. I still recommend to try this restaurant out, eating in pitch dark was a unique experience and overall it was a great night out with friends.

Awesome experience. One of my favorite and most memorable nights out with Pardis Parhizgar. You order before you step into the dining room as the dining room is pitch black. We both ordered the filet mignon with vegetables and a nestea (we are obssessed, really really obssessed with nestea). So, once it was our turn to be seated the server (who is visually impaired) guided us to our seats for us to sit down. When I say the room is pitch black, I mean you can't even see your hand if you held it up to your face. Anyways, the food arrived pretty quick and we got to eating. At first we tried to eat with utensils but that just was not working out, and the great thing about this place is no one can see you eating so... I used my hands lol. The filet mignon is probably one of the best I've ever had and the asparagus was, amazing and made me reconsider how much I thought I hated it. I can't quite remember what we had for desert, I think it was chocolate cake. I played it safe with desert (as always).. They did have the option to order a surprise desert if you were feeling rebellious. Anyways, one of my favorite places and I would definitely recommend it to everyone, you have to go at least once!

This was a fantastic experience and I highly suggest that everyone tries it. The trust that you have to put onto your server to walk you through the dark using nothing but your senses is a thrill on its own. When you arrive, you order before heading into the dark dining area and then everything turns pitch black and mysterious. The staff is so friendly and playful and I guarantee you'll be laughing most of the time you're in the dark. You'll most likely end up speaking to the people next to you and it's a great way to socialize without feeling shy because you can't see each other! You can order the surprise dinner or dessert which is just 10x more fun slash scary all at the same time. I think the best part is trying to get the food on your fork and in your mouth (I buttered my thumb instead of my break roll and shoved a piece of steak into my cheek by accident hahaha). The toughest part is letting your eyes adjust to the dark but seriously it's pitch black so it's super cool. Food was really good I would go back for the steak plate alone. Don't hesitate, go to O'noir!!

What a disappointment!. IT WAS TOO LOUD! And neither the food, nor the service, nor the experience made up for the noise in any way.<br/>Beginning with our server, who spoke at an elevated volume, to the lack of sound baffling in the room, to the loud music (rock n' roll) playing, to the large groups trying to be heard over the noise in the room, I couldn't hear my dinner companions who were sitting right next to me. Much less enjoy the food or the special surroundings.<br/>The Montreal O.Noir was a far better experience - quiet servers, live harp music, better wine list. Food so-so.<br/>Leave this to the giggly tourists - no, on second thought, everyone deserves better than this. Especially at these prices!

O'Noir is different good!. - food menu is pretty decent (had the filler mignon as my main and roasted peppers for my app)<br/>- servers are very helpful and nice<br/>- it's a very different experience but different good<br/>- they say your taste buds are more heightened because your eating in the dark - WRONG. Food tastes the same<br/>- very fun and jokey night with friends trying to put food in your mouth and guess what it is before you eat it

Fabulous experience. Eating in the dark is something everyone should try at least once, you really taste the food and smell it. You experience what it would really be like just doing one thing that some people go through all their life, what an (eye-opener) no pun intended. A new look on life. Great service and great food, would recommend that everyone should try it at least once. Will surely change you.

Great Experience!. I was scared and excited at the same time to try this out. It took a while for someone to check us in but pretty fast to take our order before we went in. Make sure to not move anything on the table. I had the 3 course meal. I choose the roasted veggies with goat cheese which was good. It was hard to use a fork because you think its on the fork but it's really not. By the time the second course came I was using my fingers. I had the chicken with roast potatoes and veggies which was good. For dessert I had the Surprise...which i'm not going to tell you what it is but it was really sweet!When you need something from the waiter you have to yell out their name which is really awkward when they are not in the room lol. Once we left and went to pay the cashiers were a bit unwelcoming. Thank god for the Groupon because it's an expensive meal. Everyone should try this at least once!

What a great experience. Took my GF here for dinner. First time experiencing anything like this and it was totally worth it.<br/><br/>Our waiter (Elias) was just awesome.<br/>Great food and you really do feel your other senses being heightened when you are having dinner at O.Noir.<br/><br/>Would recommend to try at least once.

Great food and experience - beware of 18% gratuities added to bill. Pros: <br/>- Great experience<br/>- Great food<br/>- Great service (waitress)<br/><br/>Cons:<br/>- Staff at checkout seemed unfriendly and added 18% gratuities without our consent<br/><br/>We went to this restaurant a couple of weeks ago. We were a group of four. We found the experience of eating in absolute darkness unique and recommend it to others to try it at least once.<br/><br/>We actually found the food, despite some other reviews, to be really good. Our waitress was friendly and did a great job serving us in absolute darkness. <br/><br/>When we were leaving to pay our bill we were kind of disappointed at the staff working at the checkout. In the menu it was specified that 15% gratuities are added to the bill for a group of 6 or more. However they charged us 18% gratuities. On top of that, despite of us having a groupon they added 18% gratuities to the full amount and not the discounted amount which is against the terms specified by groupon. The staff was rolling their eyes just because we were reviewing the bill. We don't mind giving 18% or more in tip if the service is justified but we should be allowed to choose the amount on our own. It's the principle that matters hence the low rating. <br/><br/>Either way, we recommend the experience to others. Just be aware of the 18% gratuities they automatically add. I'm sure you can refuse to pay that, we didn't want to make a scene and didn't argue with them about it. Maybe that's what they are going for but that means that they are trying to rip you off.

Took my friend here for a belated birthday dinner. It was a very interesting experience that I think everyone should try at least once. Our server (Dave) was extremely friendly and helpful. He explained everything as he was serving and gave a quick briefing before we went into the dining room on what to expect. <br/><br/>Your other senses are definitely heightened in the process of losing your sight. I could smell my friends's food as it was places in front of her across the table - even the chocolate mousse. You can also hear all the conversations going on around you, which provides quite a few laughs.<br/><br/>I've seen some reviews that said the food wasn't very good - I don't believe this to be true at all. I greatly enjoyed everything we ate (I had the goat cheese & grilled veg salad, the filet mignon, and the fruit sorbet. My friend had the surprise appetizer, shrimp entree, and chocolate mousse.) Also, with regards to other reviewers saying the portions weresmall, I have to disagree on that. Our plates were quite full and we both left completely stuffed.<br/><br/>Just a note - a service charge is included on the bill. We didn't mind as the service was excellent, but I couldn't leave any extra tip as I was not paying with cash, unfortunately. <br/><br/>Overall a great experience. Will not be forgotten.

Great experience. Small portions. Lounge area needs a spritz.

One-of-a-kind experience!. It's definitely a must-try experience!<br/>The food was "ok", but you really are going for the experience, either way, I would recommend it as it is very worth it!

Different kinds of dark. The experience of dining at this restaurant was interesting, and I like the idea of sharing it with the visually impaired server. It is a different way of interacting that can be more than just a novelty. The food was not special, but o.k. There was however another issue. I was told that a certain percentage of patrons have panic attacks and feel the need to leave. This is in part due to the absence of light, but may also be due to the atmosphere. It is one thing to sit in the dark,... it is another to sit in the dark, in what feels like a cold basement with poor air circulation. The entrance to the establishment is below ground level, down dingy concrete steps. It is apparently underneath an apartment complex . That cave-like quality sets the tone. I do not think it requires going underground to achieve darkness. I hope an above ground version with fresh air opens at some point. I will then be happy to return.

Interesting experience!. I visited the place twice... with a bunch of friends and on a date. The experience was very positive on both counts! It's good silly fun with a group of friends to tease each other about dinning in the dark, guessing what's on each other's plate (we got surprise menu) and whatnot. <br/><br/>The reason why I think this place is good for a date... well, if you can't see each other and still are able to carry on an interesting conversation, then the person is probably definitely worth while :) <br/><br/>Also, the surprise menu is a three course meal that's tasty and definitely worth the money. Overall a great dinning experience I would recommend everyone to try out!

Fun Experience. I was a little nervous about the idea of dining in total darkness but it ended up being a memorable experience. They have a couple of sittings to chose from. When you arrive, you select your dinner while at a lit bar/lobby. Once you decide, you are brought to one of the dining rooms. At the door, you are greeted by a blind server who takes you past two sets of doors into the total pitch black dining room.<br/><br/>The dinner included an appetizer, entree and dessert. The appetizers are various types of salad. We had the filet mignon as recommended by other reviewers and it was really delicious. The sides were boiled potato and string beans. All the food was cut up for you. The dessert I had was the surprise and it was an apple dish with ice cream. <br/><br/>Expect the food to be pretty good but not fine dining calibre. The draw of course, is the novelty of blind experience. The server we had was terrific & attentive. Would recommend going at least once!

Cool concept for a one-time visit. O.Noir is a cool original concept for dining. I expected the bar area (where you order your food before heading into the dark) to be a trendy, sleek minimalistic design, but in fact, it looks like an outdated library or hotel lobby. The food is good, but not outstanding. I'm glad someone cut up the pieces of steak and portobello mushroom for us because it's really hard to use utensils in the dark. Don't be afraid to use your hands - no one can see you anyway! I recommend O Noir as a cool restaurant to try out once to see what it's all about, but I probably wouldn't return for a regular visit.

Just arrived home from a dining experience at O'Noir, and boy, was it EVER a GREAT experience!<br/><br/>You enter into a dim lit cellar like waiting area where you are supposed to be greeted by a few waiters who take your orders prior to entering the actual dining room. I have to say that this part is a tad bit disorganized - it took my group of 6 about 20 minutes to actually recieve a menu, another 20 to actually order, and about 10-15 minutes after ordering to enter the dining area.<br/><br/>We were les by our waiter into the dining room hand in hand. Once fully into the dining room you won't be able to see not even your hand in front your face. It truly is PITCH BLACK. My group and I were very uncomfortable to begin with, but after about 5 minutes you actually get quite used to it.<br/><br/>I orders the filet mignon and a surprise dessert. The filet was to die for. I got mine well done so it was nice and crisp on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside - a MUST try!<br/><br/>Would definitely dine here again!<br/><br/>P.S it is abut pricey for the amount of food you get!

Disappointment. I was looking forward to dining at O.Noir since I first heard about the restaurant 2 years ago. Went there last Saturday and was pretty disappointed. The first major issue for me was how we were greeted. They do not have hosts to greet guests at the front, it was a lady bartender that said hello. I guess there's no major problem with that, but there was a problem with her lack of interest in explaining what to expect. I think that information is crucial considering that this is an unconventional place to dine and is the responsibility of the staff to at least offer to provide that information. My second complaint, like most other people on here is the food. Definitely not worth the price tag; I was hungry about an hour later. Third, was the noise level in the room. It felt to me like the space we were in was quite small and the tables were probably not far apart from each other. I think it would be difficult to have a romantic experience there. In my case, I was on a date and a party of at least 4 sat at the table behind us. They were so loud and distracting. I didn't find the service horrible, but it wasn't close to the best I've had either. On a positive note, I'm still glad I tried it, because the concept is definitely really cool.

Different and fun. Was pretty entertaining and all, but a bit disappointed when finding out the food portions were tiny and not up to par with the prices.<br/><br/>Like others have said, its for the experience and definitely not the food.<br/><br/>Overall, I'd go again if somebody who hasn't been wanted to experience eating in complete darkness.

You're paying for the experience. The poor quality of the food doesn't justify the price tag. The server was attentive and jovial and talented. But the food was subpar.

Amazing experience , all your senses begin to come into play! Food was average , ask for surprise meals! Makes the experience better

You dont really go for the food. the food is pretty average.<br/>but the experience as a whole was awesome! im still talking about it to friends.<br/>I took my boyfriend to it. the dark was so much fun! id reach over to hold my boyfriends hand and hed have his shoe on his head. i recommend this place just for how fun it can be.<br/><br/>The only really bad thing about the place is leaving can be difficult. we were there for almost two and a half hours simply because we didnt know how to leave. Big tip: remember your waiters name! youll need to shout it out for when you leave

Great test for the senses. I brought my Boyfriend here for his birthday. It was relevent since we were both working in the restaurant industry when we both met. It intrigued me because all the waiters and waitresses are blind and you get to experience a dining experience in the dark hence the name O.Noir. Its more about the atmosphere then the food. My boyfriend and I truly enjoyed the experience. Expect to stay for at least two hours and about the food. It's def not considered FINE DINING. But give the servers credit and its def more about living in there shoes for two hours.

Neat experience. The food was so-so. Nothing really amazing. It tasted good and everything seemed (at least from what I could tell in the pitch blackness) well prepared. Worth going, but I'll probably won't be a repeat customer. Service was excellent.

Experiencing is believing!. Life is an adventure and that's the best way to enjoy your dining experience at O.Noir! Of course, we were a bit nervous. And yes I kept some wet naps in my pocket for those occasions where hands landed in food or brushed against noses! We did make it a game to search for remaining morsels on our plates using our fingers and in the end I did finish buttering my bread with my hand. But my friend and I approached the evening with cautious enthusiasm and in this way were not disappointed. The food was plentiful although it may not rival your other favourite dining experiences so there is room for enhancements, and be prepared to spend about $100+ for two. Our waiter was gracious and our fellow diners were mostly couples on dates. Admittedly, it was reassuring to hear bits and pieces of other conversations so you knew you were not alone. And we did chuckle at a mishap or two that we heard at other tables The room was a bit cool so be sure to have a sweater, jacket or wrap if you need it. So, in the end, while you are in the dark, the light shines on your character and the way you might approach the unknown. It's a great way to learn more about yourself and about the person you are with - like how resourceful you are, forgiving and patient. Thank you to the management and staff of O.Noir. All the best to you in the New Year.

Really awful food. Everyone has said it all below.....the place is horrible. From walkind down those weird stairs, the horrible 70s decor, the lack of variety on the menu, the horrible food.....what's with all the green beans??? Can they not serve a variety of vegetables? We were a group of 4, all ordered basically the steak or the veal, and we all thought the food was gross. I agree with other reviewers, the food was like cafeteria food. And the price?? So not worth it even for the experience. The only good thing was the four of us laughed so much at the awkwardness of it all, eating with our hands, stealing eachothers bread and taking eachothers plates was hilarious.

I May Be Blind. As you know it's a pitch black dining room which in theory can be very amazing because it forces you to use your other senses. Now I must start off with the good news the concept was done right there is absolutely no light in the dining room and the bread was hot and fresh. However as for the food the appetizers were decent nothing to bad. Mains disgusting beyond belief the meat was flavourless and I wouldn't be surprised if it were pre cooked days before and they just popped it in the microwave to make it hot, the vegetables were completely gross. Some people have said "T.V. Dinner food" as someone who has eaten a TV dinner you will sooner find me with a blind fold TV dinner on my lap and you'll get the same experience cheaper and it will taste better. I maybe blind but my taste buds aren't and boy do they hate me for making them taste that food.<br/>Price - NOT WORTH IT<br/>Experience - Not Worth The Price<br/>To top it all off I was so unsatisfied with the food i went out and got a burger thank god there was a burger joint right down the street.

Great Experience!. What a neat thing to do! Granted, the meal was a little expensive, but i highly recommend this as a once off "gotta try this" kinda thing. When they say the room is pitch black they are NOT kidding! You can't see a thing in there! I would suggest calling ahead to see if any large groups are booked, when we went there was a table of 6 kids, who continued to yell and shout the whole time, which put a damper on the experience. Other than that, the waiter was very nice, and the food was good!

Disappointed. Positives - the concept was good, the hostess was alright, our server (Nasir) was nice , and the bread was fresh and delicious.<br/><br/>Negatives - where do i start...our seating was at 5:45p, was told to get to restaurant 30 mins before, so we did. The restaurant didn't open it's door until we call in, and they opened for us at about 5:30. We were the first people in the restaurant and the washroom stalls was already dirty. <br/>Now the food...every thing came so fast, after 2 bites of the delicious bread, we got our appetizers (i ordered portobello mushrooms, which was good). But before i could finish my plate, we were told our mains were at the door already. I ordered filet mignon which was ok, but my friends' shrimp risotto and chicken were both too salty, and they say it tasted like microwave dinners. I was hoping I could smell my food but I couldn't. Everything was served so fast that we finished our meal and got to the lit area at 7:35p. The entire experience only lasted 50 mins. <br/>Another thing I would like to add is without our sense of sight, we rely on our sense of touch, and I felt cafeteria utensils, cheap tables and chairs. And with their prices, I expected better.

Well it was a once in a life time experience eating in the dark but it was also a big disappointment because the food was just terrible.

Better than we anticipated. After reading many reviews, we still decided to give this experience a shot. <br/>When we walked in, i asked the hostess what i should order since reviews said the food was lousy. She laughed and happily reported that they have a new chef.<br/>Hubby and I ordered the grilled calamari salad and the filet mignon. Friend ordered the portebello mushroom and shrimp/risotto, other friend ordered the greens and chicken.<br/>Good review on all the food! We were very pleasantly surprised and happy with the taste and generous portions of the dishes.<br/>The experience was a little off putting at first. It is quite disorienting and a few of us did feel a bit of panic. After a few minutes though, you get used to the dark and begin to enjoy yourself.<br/>It was funny trying to 'share' food. We ended up using our hands to eat and try each other's dishes.<br/>A fun time and people who can let go of the control for a bit, should definately check it out!

Half a$$ approach. When you eat without your sight, your remaining senses are heightened to savour the smell and taste of food. Usually this would be a good thing....if the food tasted good. With O.Noir, the food was not good. It reminded me of banquet hall food, bland, not hot enough, and thoughtlessly prepared. The chocolate cake dessert with ice cream sounded nice on the menu, but in reality it tasted like 4 day old stale cake. <br/>I also felt the restaurant should do a better job of informing customers of where their emergency exits are. When you're sitting in the dark, the only way you can get your waiter's attention, is to shout. However, we were in a room with some very loud large groups, who thought it was fun to shout and yell, so that you could barely hear the person next to you. What if someone was choking, or had an emergency of some kind?<br/>The concept is cool, and the waiter was very kind, but I couldn't look past the bad food...this is a restaurant afterall.

Horrible Food. I thought this would be a fun experience to try with friends but it was a complete disappointment. <br/><br/>I had the calamari, steak and chocolate moose desert. The first two courses were so bad that I could eat them, the desert was only marginally better. <br/><br/>The price was also far too high for the quality of food and service.

It was a good experience. Great teamwork and organization within the restaurant staff. Exceptional service. I wasn't crazy about the food, although I've only tried it once(calamari salad and the filet mignon) Everyone should go atleast once for the experience.

Neat Experience - Mediocre Food. My other half wanted to try this, even after reading reviews about the food.<br/><br/>The experience was good, server was friendly and you felt like you could trust him (Gavin) which is important in this kind of environment.<br/><br/>Tip: Have a reservation, also ask if there is a large group booked, if there is -- AVOID GOING. The noise level is insane.<br/><br/>Good: Experience, desert was reasonable.<br/><br/>Bad: The appetizer of calamari was OK at best, the filet mignon was ok, the steak was cooked properly and was tasty, but that's where the good ENDED. <br/> <br/> EVERYTHING was drowned in butter and grease, maybe that's why my steak was so good, the potatoes were mush and greasy, and the veg on my plate was without question some kind of frozen medley overcooked, and i got all the green beans.<br/><br/> This place is WAY over priced, at $95 with a small tip, I expect more. Ok, Ok, I get it, cool expereince, it's dark, it's something different. Fine, but at $95, I expect nothing less than REASONABLE food, say The Keg or Canyon Creek quality at least... This was more hotel conference food at BEST. <br/><br/> If the price was $50 for 2 people, with this kind of food, then it would be reasonable..<br/><br/> Sorry guys, drop the price or improve the food.

So much fun! It was really cool because I feel like I've tasted my food like I've never tasted it before. I could scare my friend, yell out random stuff and our waiter was so great. I had a blast.

A fantastic experience. The wine was lovely even though it was the least expensive. The food wasn't superb but it wasn't bad. Thats the only thing that needs improvement Staff were great and the ambiance was very unique. Well done!!

Terrible food. The food here is so bad that my main was actually inedible.<br/><br/>We waited quite a long time to be seated, so we ordered a bottle of wine in the lounge (where it is lit, not dark). It came out already poured in glasses. Hmmm. We asked the server, where is the bottle? He said, well there are four glasses of wine in a bottle, and here they all are. Yes, we said, but usually we can see the waiter open the bottle, and then we can taste the wine to see if it is to our liking. He repeated, well there are four glasses here, so this is your bottle.<br/><br/>Okay, fine. We try the wine. It tastes like vinegar. It is very obvious it is boxed, poor quality wine. We leave the wine where it is. Eventually we get seated.<br/><br/>Yes, it is dark. Big deal.<br/><br/>Next, our appetizers. Everyone had the same comment, no matter what was ordered. It was a few strips of the appetizer on a huge bed of lettuce, drowned in Kraft Italian dressing. It was terrible.<br/><br/>My main - steak tasted of chemicals, and was uneditable.<br/><br/>Seriously, just eat at home in the dark. You'll enjoy the experience so much more.<br/><br/>I doubt they get any repeat customers here, so my guess is they just don't care about the quality of the food.<br/><br/>Oh, the billing in the end is ridiculous. About a hundred people standing in a line waiting to pay their bill with one cashier. They cannot split a bottle of wine.<br/><br/>Wost restuarant I've ever eaten at. Ever.

Interesting Experience. I went with 4 other friends of mine and I think we all shared a similar opinion. The experience itself was great. It was interesting to dine in complete darkness and live as though you couldn't see. However, I do feel like I was rushing through my meal as well because I was a bit uncomfortable the whole time. The meal itself was mediocre but I don't think if you plan to go that you decide to go for the meal but instead the experience.

Novelty only gets you so far. I'll start with the positive aspect of this restaurant -- it's definitely an interesting experience. It really is pitch black in the dining room, which makes it initially frightening but then an interesting social experiment. <br/><br/>Then it gets annoying. So now the negatives, which are many:<br/><br/>1) The food is bland, generic, and generally awful. I can cook better than this restaurant and it would cost me a fraction of the price. <br/><br/>2) The menu selection is extremely limited. Good luck eating here if you're a vegetarian (you're stuck with boring pasta and tomato sauce) or want fish (they don't have any because it apparently glows in the dark).<br/><br/>3) Although the servers try hard, the level of service is definitely lacking. You can imagine how hard it is to catch your server's attention in the dark. We never got more bread or water as we asked for, and we had to wait a long time to resolve the next major issue.<br/><br/>4) The menu includes some "surprise" dishes, and although the servers won't tell you what they are, they assured us that the dishes could be prepared to accommodate dietary restrictions. Imagine our surprise when, despite requesting no meat or seafood, we ended up getting a plate of octopus for our main course. <br/><br/>Bottom line: If you want this experience, I suggest cooking a meal at home and eating it with the lights off rather than going to this restaurant.

A league of it's own!. After reading the mixed reviews and walking by it everyday I decided to check it out. The basement atmosphere that you are are initially introduced to leaves a little to be desired and could use some updating, however I would still desribe it as warm and inviting. The food is much the same but I ask myself if I would want to be eating something as high end as swordfish or glazed duck in the dark, considering you're likely to end up eating with your hands at some point anyway. The experience is what sets this place aside from all the others. Between the blind waiters, the surprise food choices, and the fact that you're eating in the pitch black it is really something you should try at least once. As for the hardcore critics, let them take their gold cards to Yorkville and pay twice as much for half the food where they belong.

Incredible experience @ O.Noir. Going into a complete darkness was way more challenging than I thought. I did not expect I would be so nervous that I had a hard time breathing during the first 5 minutes when I was in there.<br/>The knifes are not sharp for safety reason, so the food are cut into pieces before they are served. The food was pretty good but wasn't anything special. It's all about the experience in there.

An experience to try.... Although I wrote that I didn't like O.Noir, it was definitely an experience worth trying at least once. I have never had the sensation of total darkness, and at first it's rather disconcerting. You keep expecting your eyes to adjust to the darkness, but they never do.<br/><br/>I was never really able to be comfortable during my meal, which is one of the main reasons I'll leave this to a one off experience for me. I had the calamari appetizer, and the filet mignon main dish. The only problem was that I couldn't see the food to cut it, so I was left to try and chew rather large pieces.<br/><br/>I left with a feeling that I was just trying to finish my meal as quickly as possible, so I could get out of there.<br/><br/>The cost isn't prohibitive, so if you're looking for a unique experience, then you may want to try it.

Interesting idea, mediocre food. It's an interesting idea but the food is mediocre at best, salads are oily, meat is drowning in butter and the server is as lost in the dark as we were.

...a restaurant that specializes in “dining in the dark” a.k.a you have no idea where you are, where your food is, who’s sitting beside you, etc etc.

For those who don't know, O Noir is a restaurant where you dine completely in the dark, and are served by waiters who are blind. They have 2 locations-- one in Toronto and one in Montreal. The experience was totally not what I expected.  You first order what you'd like to eat outside of the dining room, where there is still light. Once you have decided, you are brought in to the pitch black dining room, with only your waiter guiding you to your table. It took a little while to adjust to the complete darkness, and my sister and I would always get spooked when we hear our waiter suddenly start speaking next to us. Our appetizer came first, and we both ordered the Grilled Calamari with Tomato . I was skeptical about the calamari a

The room was pitch black. I’m talking REALLY pitch black. You couldn’t see a single thing in front of you — not even your own fingers. It was really weird. I felt around in front of me for the plate with a container of butter on it, the butter knife, and my fork and knife.

In the wise words of one of our fellow diners, “woooooooooow”. Now, we don’t want her eloquent phrase to be misconstrued, but is O Noir an amazing restaurant? Not really. But the experience definitely is--dining in the dark for an hour or two, which in theory heightens your other senses. For those who aren’t familiar, the restaurant’s guests dine in complete, all-encompassing, heart-stopping darkness and are served by a blind wait staff. This is part of the deal, in fact it's O Noir's only attraction, but the lack of light is surprising and something you never become accustomed to. You begin this experience in a dingy, noir film-esque lounge where you're given the chance to browse the menu (while you're still able to see) with the option of choosing your dishes or having a “Surprise” dish. Between the two of us, we each get our choice of a starter, main dish, and dessert ($39.95 each). To start, we order the Grilled Octopus with Olive Oil and Lime and Roasted Red Peppers and Seasonal V

<br/>Stephen took me to O.Noir for our anniversary, and I was both excited and also skeptical. We had both heard great to mediocre to bad reviews about the food (so mixed!), but the merits were in the experience.<br/><br/> <br/> <br/>There are two services: 5:45pm and 8:30 pm - we chose the 8:30pm service. Upon arriving we were given the menu to choose our dishes before dining. There are two different price listings: $39 for a starter, main and dessert and $32 for a starter and main or main and dessert. I was extremely disappointed when I looked at the menu, which was boring! Not one dish seemed to stand out to me (it took me almost 15 minutes to even decide on a main because they were all so typical!). We decided to just order a starter and main because the desserts seemed boring and not worth the extra $7 (fruit sorbet, chocolate cake with ice cream and dark chocolate mousse hardly seemed... intriguing to the taste buds for $7 extra).

Nash and I love adventure and for our anniversary we decided to dine in the dark at O.Noir. The restaurant, located at the corner of Church and Charles has two dinner services 5:45pm and 8:30pm. Dinner is a prix fixe with 2 courses at $32 and 3 courses at $39. After placing our orders in a small lit bar area, we were led by our server into the pitch-black dining room. All the servers are legally blind. Our server guided us to the table with a hands-on-shoulder method. It was scary at first to rely only on another person’s voice, but I learnt to put my trust in our guide and found my way to the table. We were seated at the end of a row of tables beside a wall. We began with some Long Island iced teas, which I made a conscious effort not to knock over. We were also brought bread which I failed to butter. It’s hard to judge how much butter I scooped on my knife in the dark, so there were blobs of it everywhere! I ordered the Surprises for three of my courses. Nash ordered from the menu fo

What is also cool about this place is all servers are legally blind. I have been to O’ Noir twice and would highly recommend the experience to anyone. The food was definitely tasty and the experience is out of the ordinary!<br/>

The best steak I have ever had - no idea what it looked like though.

How do you like to eat in total darkness?? It's very interesting. There is a restaurant in TO called O.Noir which will just give you that experience. The door to the restaurant was even in the dark, very not noticeable place and at the door, it is cover in black curtains which makes you wonder if this place is open for business or not. When you walk inside, there was a bar and a waiting area where they presented the menu to you. You can chose a 2 course or 3 course meal ranging from appetizer, main and dessert with 3-4 options for each. The waitress takes your order out in the light before you head into the black room. After you order, the waiter will walk you to your table. We were like shoulder to shoulder walking in, the hardest part was going through the door in the dark, not sure if the door was going to hit you. Once you are seated, you just feel your surroundings on the table of where your plate and utensils. The server then came around with the basket of bread. It was so hard t

There's something freeing about eating and chatting in the dark. It was actually so much fun guessing what I was eating because all of your other senses become heightened when you lose one sense (in this case sight). The food was okay, but it was definitely more about the experience.

This place was unique and mysterious.. but it missed the warmth and comfort a restaurant needs before one can sit down. It would take one hell of an experience at Halloween.

It was a great dining experience and I'll definitely go back again when someone else comes to town to visit! Also note that you can also visit O.Noir in Montreal!<br/>

I’m on the fence about ONOIR. I’ve spoken to a lot of people who have been, and they all say the same thing: “Go once”. What kind of business does not want returning customers? In my opinion, ONOIR could greatly improve. Dinner for two with a bottle of wine was $155. This actually is a lot of money to throw on “an experience”. Reduce the portion size, use higher quality ingredients, and renovate that dank basement. Don’t treat your guests as though you can “pull the wool over their eyes”, despite it being dark, we can see through mediocrity.

To celebrate Sister Sarah's birthday, I wanted to do something fun and different. I thought O.Noir would be just that. I'd heard from friends that it is an interesting experience. Already the rage in Europe, Australia, L.A., New York and Montreal - O.NOIR - Canada's first-ever "Dine in the Dark" restaurant now invites Torontonians to experience food, drink and conversation like never before - without their sight! "It's a sensual dining experience like no other!"

O.Noir is easily one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had in Toronto, not just because the food and service were awful, but also because I left the place feeling ripped off.

O.Noir isn't new to the Toronto scene. It opened in June 2009, and brought to Torontonians the experience others in Montreal, Europe, Australia, Los Angeles and New York City have had the pleasure to explore. It's a must-try experience at least once. It isn't for everybody though - anybody afraid of the dark, or somewhat claustrophobic will not be able to get past the door. This is because it's completely pitch black inside the room in which you dine. However, for those brave-hearted souls, it's an eye opening dinner (no puns intended). Your focus is on senses other than your sight. All of a sudden conversations seem louder. You pay attention more to touching the things in front of you on the table to try to memorize where they are placed. Your taste is heightened and you eat your food just a bit slower, savouring each bite. Before you begin your dinner, you ch

It's a good place to go to for a one time experience. The concept itself is very unique since yiu dine in the dark to experience what it would be lile if you were blind.<br/><br/>The staff is very helpful and makes sure you're at ease when you need to get iut of your seat.<br/><br/>I can't say the food was anything great. The dishes are very standard. I got the chicken with potatoes when I chose the surprise. Nothing fancy. I only wish I was able to find all my food because close to the end its like an easter egg hunt!

Each time I pop in I wonder why more people are not supporting local and independents. There prices are good.<br/>This place has a great atmosphere an good food. It's not loud and it a good spot to meet with friends.<br/>I have never been disappointed...

I went here for the experience.<br/>Food delicious, a little bit expensive but it´s all about the concept<br/>Imagine eating at dark. You cannot see anything!, it´s so weird but you will get used to it.<br/>The service exceeded my expectations. This is an unique dining experience I recommend to everyone.