I very rarely write about restaurants I have eaten in, in part because more than half of my regular readers do not live in the SF Bay area, and so would be hard pressed to share the experience. But my daughter R instigated a visit to Opaque last Friday, and it was so different as to earn the sobriquet unique, at least in my experience. You eat in total darkness. And by that, I mean TOTAL darkness. The wait staff is vision impaired. You have a knife and fork, but, of course, you have to feel your food a little to find it. It is a European idea (Paris and Berlin), now available in SF and Santa Monica (near LA), of course. The theory, as I understand it, is that, robbed of the distraction of sight, you really taste your food. I suppose that's true; I just found it weird, and was glad by claustrophobia did not kick in. Comments included, "I feel like I fell into a hole for an hour and a half–Alice in Wonderland style!" ""I was claustrophobic for a bit in the beginning, but it passed. I'm glad we went, but I don't know that I'd need to do it twice." and "I agree, not necessary to go again, per se. Near the end I was feeling a little panicked that I couldn't see anything. Not uber-panicked just somewhat." Oh yes, and "You couldn't pay me to go there." I am going to protect the comments from my family by not attaching names to the comments.

The $99 price-fixed three-course dinner was nice, but not spectacular. I had the Ahi Tuna Tartare appetizer (with Green Onions, Diced Asian Pears, Shiso, Sesame-Soy Vinaigrette, Wonton Crisps, Wasabi Aioli), the steak and the bittersweet chocolate cake.