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| - TLDR: Amazing culinary experience.
O'Noire is no gimmick. The food is delicious and thoughtfully executed.
We got the tenth anniversary Groupon which gave us a cocktail, appetiser, and entree. When you enter you are greeted and directed to lockers where you can keep your bags. Having bags on the floor in the dining area would be a safety hazard. You are then shown the menu where you can choose from the items listed or be surprised. I chose the surprise cocktail and appetiser but got the rabbit saddle stuffed with poultry and wrapped in bacon for the main. My friend went full surprise mode.
We were then escorted into the dining area by our server. We created a train as we entered into pure darkness, which was definitely a shock to the system. You literally cannot even see the outline of you hand I. After we were seated, we were treated to bread and butter.
Our cocktails arrived and I received a grapefruit, gin, and soda cocktail that was delicious and complemented my meal.
Our surprise appetisers arrived, and we both guessed wrong. What I thought was a juicy, succulent braised beef dish was actually duck confit. My friend thought she had fresh salmon tartare, but it was actually scallop. Whatever they were, we devoured them with gusto.
My main was just as delicious, but it was a shock. The three types of meat mixed together created a new flavour and texture that was unlike anything I had before. And I loved whenever I found a piece of artichoke heart and roasted cherry tomato. My friend thought her main was braised beef cheek with Jerusalem artichoke puree, roasted squash, and sweet potato chips. In the end, it was braised lamb with squash done three ways.
We ended the meal with coffee and tea. My chai smelled outstanding, almost vibrant, and the flavours danced on my tongue.
Because we couldn't see, the server would carefully place anything he was handing us on our shoulder, and we would take it from him and place it down. He was a sweetheart who would frequently check on us. The darkness did take some time getting used to, but it was such a wonderful experience that I will most likely be visiting again.
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