'Dinner In The Dark' Heightens The Red Horse Experience In Rumson

RUMSON, NJ — Once dubbed a “Culinary Prankster” by Time Out New York in 2003, area chef David Burke continues to push dining boundaries, he says.

So this summer, he will be experimenting with Dinner in the Dark events, starting Wednesday at Red Horse in Rumson and later this month at GOAT in Union Beach.

Dinner in the Dark will be a "unique, fun, five-course, guided sensory experience," he says.

The next Dinner in the Dark dinners are scheduled for Wednesday, July 12, at Red Horse (a few tickets are still available); Friday, July 28 at THE GOAT and then again Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Red Horse. The events run from 6:15 to 10 p.m. Reservations are required. Ticket price is $100 per person. You can purchase tickets here.

Each dinner has blindfolded diners guided by Burke and his team through a five-course "secret" menu, paired with one signature cocktail, one glass of champagne and wines from notable regions. Burke is on-hand with an “edu-taining” narrative throughout the experience, his company spokesperson says.

One recent guest was Casey Webb, the host of Cooking Channel's “Man vs Food.”

“This was something very different and an overall fun experience,” said Webb - a New Jersey native and Burke’s neighbor in Atlantic Highlands.

Webb attended an earlier Dinner in the Dark experience at Red Horse. “Often, we are consumed by the surroundings and the chatter at a restaurant. But when one of your senses is taken away you must tune into the others. . . . We were all in the same boat with David steering the ship."

According to Burke, his Dinner in the Dark idea came to him when in Morristown where another of his New Jersey restaurants is located, as is the The Seeing Eye dog training program, whose mission is to train guide dogs that help blind people be more independent.

“My Dinner in the Dark gets people to focus on their other senses. It’s fun, social and entertaining,” he explained. “People must rely on their touch, taste, smell and hearing."

The New Jersey Wine Growers Association now partners with Burke with some of the dinners.

He occasionally introduces New Jersey wines alongside some of the world’s best wines.

“As a New Jersey native I think it’s time to recognize the winemakers’ efforts. I support local when ‘local’ meets my expectations, just like our legendary Jersey tomatoes, peaches and corn are on my menus," he said.