Challenge issued by Ice House

THE Ice House Hotel in Ballina, named best boutique hotel at the National Hospitality Awards earlier this week, is challenging customers to Dine In The Dark tonight as part of Ireland’s first National Dine In The Dark week.

On the back of an innovative partnership between the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the National Council for the Blind, 200 restaurants across Ireland are currently holding their own Dine In The Dark sessions.

It's a unique dining event where guests are blind-folded throughout the full dining experience. Without their sight to guide them, guests experience complex tastes, flavours and textures in a completely new and innovative way. Senses are heightened, altering taste, touch, smell and communication during the meal.

Speaking in advance of the event tonight (Thursday, November 10), Ice House head chef Anthony Holland said he is excited to offer a tasting menu for Dine In The Dark at the hotel. “Diners will have a chance to experience a fusion of local flavours and textures through heightened senses,” he stated.

Ice House Hotel manager Niall Kerins added: “We like the sense of fun this dining experience will generate for our guests. We are proud to support NCBI with this initiative and foster a greater appreciation of lives led permanently in the dark.”

Bookings for the Dine In The Dark dinner at The Ice House can be made by calling (096) 23500 or emailing chill@theicehouse.ie. Chef Holland has prepared a special three-course set menu, with some tasty sensory surprises, priced at €35, with €5 going directly to NCBI. Ice House Hotel mixologist Leo will also be offering a gin-tasting experience to delight diners tonight.

For more information on the Dine In The Dark initiative, see www.dineinthedark.ie.