A unique cheese plate experience in the dark

Well known to the people of Nantes, the Dans le Noir ? experience is a must-try to explore your senses and rediscover your taste buds.
In addition to the starter-main-dessert set menu, you can also enjoy a cheese plate.

As you can imagine, sharing a cheese board in the dark isn’t exactly easy - so the chef came up with a solution: offering a cheese plate that is worthy of being a dish in itself.
Our cheese plates are designed and crafted like real courses, with a variety of flavors, textures and aromas.

Today, we’re giving you a glimpse into the creative process behind these plates.

First, the chef begins by selecting the type of cheese they want to showcase - either because it’s particularly interesting to work with or pair, or because it’s original or lesser-known. Seasonality can also be a factor, as not all cheeses are available or optimal year-round.

Next, the focus turns to how the cheese will be prepared. Should it be served as is, heated, or incorporated into another preparation? The key is to highlight the cheese without altering its core identity, and to respect the work already done by the cheesemaker and the affineur.

The accompaniment must be seasonal and complement the cheese without overpowering it - and ideally balance the intensity of stronger cheeses (like Stilton blue). Pairings with fruit are often a great match. Combinations with wine or beer are also highly appreciated.

Since cheese is generally fatty, accompaniments often bring a touch of acidity or tanginess to create balance on the plate.
As a final option, combining products from the same region can be very effective (e.g. Comté and Jura yellow wine, or Ossau-Iraty and Itxassou cherries from the Basque Country).

To surprise guests throughout the tasting - especially in total darkness - the play on textures and the balance between acidity and richness are essential.

When it comes to a cheese plate, texture often means adding crunch: the most obvious choice is working with bread - crackers, croutons or even brioche and dried fruits. But other ingredients like nougatine, chips, and many more are still being explored to create delicious, daring cheese plates.

So, ready to challenge your senses?