Opaque - Dining in the Dark, LA

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1. MS

   MelindaS

   San Diego

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on March 1, 2020

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Had a very nice experience with our server Raphael. Enjoyed the atmosphere and focusing on the food and my partner-no technology to interfere with good conversation.

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2. BM

   BrandonM

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 15, 2020

   overall2food1service3ambience1

   Parking attendant was extremely rude demanding the parking fee, went around front and was lead through a nightclub which was deafening, but duh it's always meant to be, however I wasn't expecting that for a quiet meal in a sensory deprivation environment. We arrived at 9:10 for a 9:30 reservation so I expected somewhat of a wait, was seated at around 9:50. Was lead into the back dark room, sat and waited for quite a while between courses, waiter was very nice and enthusiastic, but slow. It took over an hour and a half for 3 courses, so about half an hour each. The food itself varied wildly. The bite-sized pallet cleansers between dishes were better than the actual meal. The food itself was pretty low quality, they definitely bank on you not being able to see to disguise being cheap food. Funny is I was able to see pretty well in there, shapes and figures mostly, it was dark but not that dark. The glowing dots of the night vision goggles 1 person had on was laughably mood-breaking. For the price of the experience I know lots of people would enjoy it, it just was a miss for me~

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3. RE

   RE1369

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 15, 2020

   overall1food2service1ambience3

   Terrible experience. The dark dining experience is the only good thing about this place. We were made to sit in the lounge for an hour and a half. We had a reservation at 7:45 and arrived early but were not seated till 9:00. Everyone in our section of the lounge that arrived at the same time as us and even after was seated 30 minutes before us. We had to check with the staff 3 times to check what was going on but their excuse was that they lost our ticket. The worst part was that they would say, “sorry about that..can I get you another drink while you wait?” These drinks weren’t comped. They forced us to stick around while they forced their amateur cocktails down our throats. We were finally led in and our server, Margarita, was great. The food service was poor though. The food was very mediocre and came out very slowly. The total experience took 2 hours. Normally I’d be fine with it because the serving staff is visually umpired and I can’t expect them to be any quicker but two couples to our right and left we’re sat beside us and were seated after us and finished their meals 30-45 minutes before we did. Final complaint is that both my order and my girlfriend’s were wrong. We both got the wrong starter and let our server know. She brought my girlfriend the correct starter but didn’t bring mine. My girlfriend had order the chicken for her main dish and was given fish. At this point we’d been sitting in the dark for an hour and a half so she just decided to eat the fish rather than wait for her order to be corrected. Overall terrible and way overpriced. If the lounge staff were more attentive and the orders correct, I’d pay $40 tops per person for this experience. You’ll get a better meal at a norms or something

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4. OV

   OVERanHOURandNOfood

   Los Angeles

   5 reviews

   4.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on February 15, 2020

   overall4food4service4ambience5

   This was a great sensory emersion experience. My wife and I thouroughly enjoyed the opprtunity to enjoy each other with no distractions or interruption that come with holiday dinners.

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5. R

   Ryan

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 14, 2020

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   What a great experience. Good food, great service, and a unique way to have dinner. It was expensive, but worth the experience at least once.

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6. DB

   DeeBon

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 1, 2020

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   A wonderful experience. The food was top notch. The service was inspiring as our visually impaired servers made our night amazing with their hospitality and care. Everyone should try this!

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7. E

   Edan

   Atlanta Metro

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 18, 2020

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. Hostess and waitress were phenomenal. Food was outstanding as well. Recommend going with the mystery menu.

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Los Angeles

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 10, 2020

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Its my second time experiencing Opaque, i had to bring my cousin from ATL, and once again it was Awesome to let my other senses take over. Rafael, our server, was on point and the whole experience was phenomenal!

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9. RM

   RonM

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 5, 2020

   overall2food2service3ambience2

   The concept of this restaurant is a good one. Unfortunately, the execution was below par. The food is just okay, and not very exciting. Like previous reviews mention, you really are overpaying for the experience alone. All of the tables receive the same few options of appetizer, main, and dessert. We knew what was coming next because the table next to us was discussing it. The dining area is incredibly small! Biggest issues we had with our experience was the table next to us turning on their phone, and the noise of other parties. If you’re with a large group, please go somewhere else. Larger groups tend to begin yelling in this tiny space, which takes over everything. Our waiter had to repeat what was said due to the noise pollution. It’s fun to guess what you’re eating, but this was definitely not worth the cost. I couldn’t have a conversation with the constant laughing and loud speaking coming from the drunk people of the larger party. A for the idea, D for the execution. Stay at home and eat blindfolded.

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10. TG

    TimG

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2019

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    This was a great experience! Loved the low level anxiety of exploring your evening in total darkness. You explore your menu and table in such a unique way. Our waitress was amazing: very open about her lack of sight and the life that comes with it, and it’s incredible how adept she was at managing without light. Your other senses become distinctly more acute, and we really enjoyed ourselves! The only downside is that price is indeed exorbitant for what you get. This isn’t fine dining, but it is an experience you won’t soon forget!

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11. G

    Grambo

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 30, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Good food fabulous waiter. A bucket list item for sure!!

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12. BT

    BryceT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2019

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    This is quite an experience. I took my wife here for her birthday. There is a lounge in front called Senator Jones and Opaque is inside in the back. The waiters are all visually impaired too. The hostess in front asks you if you want to pick your food or have them surprise you, which we both wanted to be surprised. They lead out back to the dining room with your hand on each other's shoulder and seat you. To be honest, at first I got a little nervous and weirded out being in a completely dark room. Our waiter Raphael described where the utensils were on the table and how the meal would go. It is $99 per person and is 3 courses, appetizer, entree, and dessert. All the food was good, but nothing fantastic. A solid 7 or 8. They encourage you to ask questions about being blind to the wait staff and what it's like for them. They do have a small speaker playing music. At one point the song "My Girl" came on and a few people started singing and then like half the restaurant broke out singing. At the end we all laughed since we couldn't see each other and had the guts to do that since it's dark. Once you're done they lead out back on with your hand on each other's shoulder again. The waiter says goodbye and that's it. Overall, the experience is something to try. I wouldn't want to go here all the time, but it's definitely something good for couples or small groups. And at one point I accidentally knocked my glass off the table, but all the cups are plastic so it was ok. I'm sure it's not the first time it happened.

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 19, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    An absolutely fabulous experience!

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14. FM

    FrancesM

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    We had an early reservation and we had the whole place to ourselves. Are waitress was kind and we asked her all kinds of questions and she answered all of them. It was a great experience. It humbles you.

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15. KA

    KimberlyA

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2019

    overall3food2service4ambience5

    You're paying for an experience. Do not expect a gourmet dinner. If you read any of the other reviews, you'll see that this is a common review. My boyfriends meal was much better than mine and the wine selection is not great. Glad I came, but would not do it again.

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16. KG

    KellyG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 20, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was my first time visiting LA. As I was looking up places to go I found this gem. The experience was phenomenal and I would definitely do it again. Raphael was our server. He was very kind and helpful. I recommend anyone trying it out!

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17. K

    Kiki

    Phoenix

    30 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2019

    overall1food1service2ambience1

    $100pp: $1 egg roll; $5 ceviche; $1 scoop of sherbet; $7 plate of diner pot roast/mashed potato/3 spears of asparagus; $3 piece of chocolate pie/cake. Establishment: No signage. Escorted to the back of a dance/night club. Black curtains hung from the ceiling in the same club just in the back corner like a maze to enter, then tables seated in blackout curtains. Seated to eat the above food in the dark while served by blind servers and listening to the dance club. Intoxicated dance club members keep trying to sneak in the curtains to see what is happening during the time you are in there. If you have to leave to use the restroom, you are escorted back into the dance club to use the restroom there. It's like eating cheap diner food blindfolded in a nightclub with drunk people. Complete knock off from the dining-in-the-dark restaurants in Europe and NY with sighted servers and an actual restaurant, not inside of a nightclub. Do not waste your time or money, complete disappointment.

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18. DL

    DebraL

    Miami

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Very powerful experience! Loved that all servers are blind or visually impaired. and that we were given a window into their world . Gave us perspective and appreciation. Fun to try to identify the food and dine without cell phones too!

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19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing! Unique! Great food and Service! Such a creative Dining Experience.

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20. AR

    AudreyR

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 19, 2019

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    So different from blackout on in Las Vegas. This experience did not compare with Blackout in Las Vegas. The smell when you first walk in to opaque is not good. The service is subpar. If you ever get a chance to experience a night of dining in the dark, go to Vegas. Don’t waste your time at this shabby establishment. The food is not good, the service is something to be desired and you’d be better off traveling to Vegas for a wonderful experience and absolute good good. I wouldn’t recommend this place at all.

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21. MS

    MayraS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 14, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    A must try place! Definitely a great experience. Our food was great.

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22. CJ

    CleverJoe

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 13, 2019

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    THe restaurant is closed forever. We came but the doors are shot closed and noone there. Ruined my evening.

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 8, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Try the pinot noir. And the food is good, but not extraordinary as the price would suggest. Is weird that you don't know how much food you got since you cant see it

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24. JB

    JacksonB

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 26, 2019

    overall4food3service4ambience3

    Overall it was a great experience. I wish that there was more time to settle in before heading back to the table. It also felt a little out of place in the venue. Maybe after hours it’s a club? There was a DJ setting up when we got there. The staff was really great, friendly, and helpful. My old fashioned was $15... seemed like a lot considering you’re paying $100 a head for the meal already. Everything leading up to the main course was pretty tasty. My chicken was super dry so that was a bummer since I told them they could surprise me on the protein. I may suggest ordering before going in? They paced the partions out well and our server was really helpful and friendly. He was very patient with us adjusting to the room. Inside the room there were a lot of loud people who I believe were trying to overcompensate for not being able to see their party. The two guys next to us were super loud, drunk, and inappropriate. Not that that’s on the restaurant, but you hope when you’re paying that much for an experience that people be responsible and take it seriously. One of the guys actually said something about whipping out his d**k because nobody would see. WTF? One of the servers did finally ask the room to be considerate, but it was really hard for us to talk and hear each other because of outside conversation.

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25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2019

    overall3food3service5ambience4

    Always a good experience but the table next to us was way to loud and they had their phones out using them for "light" when it should've been put away! #NoLightsPeriod I think the tables are a little to close now... table next to me spilled their water and it splashed on my foot 🤦🏾‍♀️.. that was kind of gross especially being in the dark 🥺😱

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26. MR

    MichaelR

    Los Angeles

    44 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Took a friend here for his birthday. I like the concept of this restaurant and I love the ideology behind it and the community it supports. Takes you out of your element and thrusts you into the world of the visually impaired. Senses are heightened, the experience is surreal, and you leave with a great meal and a bit of enlightenment on how the sightless thrive without the use of vision. Definitely recommend. Our waiter, Rafael, was charming.

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 14, 2019

    overall4food3service5ambience4

    Fun and unique

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28. N

    Nicholasm

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2019

    overall5food3service5ambience5

    Something entirely different in the arena of dining and ambience.

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29. SF

    StanleyF

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2019

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    Overpriced but fun. Ugly nightclub decor in the waiting area. They kick you out right after desert. No time to talk.

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30. JM

    JeniferMay

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 23, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    This dining experience is something everyone should do! And the food? OMG good!!

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31. VA

    VALLEYGIRLS

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2019

    overall3food5service4ambience2

    Food & service were great. Ambiance was seriously disrupted by group of 4 women who were ridiculously loud. Other patrons kept trying to shoosh them but the restaurant did nothing to quiet them. These women were loud before even going into the dining hall. While waiting outside they were loud & obnoxious. The restaurant's staff's failure to address this before or during was extremely disappointing considering the entirety of your experience is reduced to your physical & audio to set the ambiance. My guest & I literally had to yell to hear each other talk most of the night.

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2019

    overall5food3service5ambience4

    We really enjoyed the experience . Our waitress, Margarita was wonderful. We were having a great time until a loud party “ girls night out” group came in . I think it’s a good idea for the staff to I form patrons you might feel like speaking louder in the dark room but try and tone it down. Overall,I would recommend it to my friends. Cool experience.

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33. TT

    TaylorT

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 3, 2019

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    go for the experience! The food was good but the price is alot

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 3, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing experience!

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35. K

    Kaveh96

    London

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 2, 2019

    overall2food3service1ambience3

    The concept of dining in the dark was interesting to me so we went here to try it out. The issue is when you’re here, you’re entirely at mercy of your waiter, and if he forgets about you and then proceeds you have a 20 minute conversation with someone else you’re basically stuck there until he comes and gets you. You can’t leave!!!! I suppose we did this for the experience and helplessness is actually an experience in itself

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36. NM

    NinetteM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 24, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Great unique experience. Unfortunately there was a party there with children who were allowed to run around in the dark and and screamed for most of our dinner. I blame the parents for allowing it but our server, the food and the experience was great.

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37. MV

    MariaV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience3

    It’s an experience you have to try at least once in your lifetime.

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38. m

    michellet

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was a great experience! The food was good and tasty but like others have said it is pricey and you are paying for the experience. At a lower price point, I think I would go again for fun and try other dishes.

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39. s

    stanleyd

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    This is a must do! Awesome experience great servers and staff.

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40. MG

    MonaG

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2019

    overall4food5service4ambience3

    This is a must for anyone who is curious what it feels like to be blind. Humbling experience.

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