Dinner in the dark

myblueangel19

So I came across a concept restaurant in Hamburg that sounds interesting where you enjoy dinner in the dark to get an idea of how blind people experience the world. There is the exhibit portion or the dinner. I think they both sound interesting, but that dinner in the dark sounds like a recipe for disaster. What do you think? fun or a sure-fire way to end up with wine on my clothes? Anyone tried this before? The exhibit exists in other countries as well (Italy,USA, Israel)

kelly321

I've seriously considered doing it several times with DH. The dinner, that is. I've never heard of the exhibit before. One thing that has kept me from doing it is that they are purposely very vague about the menu (you can order a couple of choices, like vegetarian, seafood, or meat) so you don't know exactly what you're getting. There are a couple of foods that are fairly common (raw onions, red onions in any form, peas, and olives, for example) that literally make me gag when I eat them, so I'm very hesitant to eat something I can't see. But if I knew in advance that I liked everything, I would definitely do it.

I think the waitstaff is usually blind, so you don't have to worry about getting a new waitress and having things dumped on your lap. :-) They also supposedly tell you things like "Your water glass is at 1 o'clock, your wine glass is at 10 o'clock" so you can orient yourself.

myblueangel19

kelly321:

I think the waitstaff is usually blind, so you don't have to worry about getting a new waitress and having things dumped on your lap. :-)

hahhhaa I was more worried about me spilling it on myself I have problems missing my mouth even with the lights on *hangs head in shame*

kelly321

myblueangel19:

kelly321:

I think the waitstaff is usually blind, so you don't have to worry about getting a new waitress and having things dumped on your lap. :-)

hahhhaa I was more worried about me spilling it on myself I have problems missing my mouth even with the lights on *hangs head in shame*

I thought that's what you meant but wanted to reassure you that at least other people wouldn't be dumping things on you. :-) Except maybe your DH... I also have a drinking problem (oh how that line in "Airplane" made me laugh), so I completely understand. Just make sure you order white wine or, if you definitely want red, then wear something black :-)

ooolalalolo

I just mentioned this to DH and apparently one of his friends went and said it was completely worth the experience. 

I'm on 'team paranoid' as I'm a picky eater and have some allergies/intolerance issues with certain types of foods. But as others have mentioned, if I knew in advance what I was getting into, it would be better for me.  

Obsession

I  have been to one called c-taste in Amsterdam.  It was expensive but during restaurant week they had dinner for 25e so we gave it a shot.  It was me and two girl friends. When we made the reservation they asked if she had any dietary restrictions on the form.  I put down friend was a vegetarian and I put down that onions ruin food for me.  When we got there, the waiter confirmed our requests.

I won't say much more about the experience because I think that is half the fun but it was very interesting and I would recommend trying I once.  I spilled nothing on myself, the food was good, and it only takes a minute to acclimate to the dark.

I will say though it was super awkward talking at first.  I held my friends had until our meal came and held my pee until after dinner . I wasn't interested in having to bed led in and out of the bathroom (the bathroom had lights according to my friend but

Someone actually had to take her there! 

Tofumonkey

I did this for a couple of days in the hospital. It was fun for awhile, but DH refused to eat with me in the dark, because he had to go out in public after and I could just have a sponge bath and a new gown brought in.

Mrs SC

I did the one in Los Angeles and agree the experience is worth it for a one time deal. It was interesting how different your convos can be when you can't actually see the person you are dining with.

The food was mediocre for the price, but it sort of has to be very basic considering you can't see it. It was chicken breast with vegetable and bread I think (this was years ago). I gave up on the utensiles right at the beginning and just used my fingers. Pouring the wine was also very interesting as they leave it for you to do, basically stuck my finger in the rim and poured til I could feel it!

 

Publius

We went to one when we were living in Prague. You didn't get to know what you were eatin util afterwards though. IIRC, there were three set course menus to choose from, one meat, one fish, an one vegetarian. They gave you the expanded menu where you saw the breakdown of what you'd had afterwards in the decompression area. I don't know if all are like this, but the restaurant in Prague was set up to raise awareness for issues that the blind have to deal with, so they wanted you to sit and talk about your experience over a coffee after dinner. I really enjoyed it and it was well worth it for the experience. Also, the food at the one I went to was excellent.

Publius

Be careful about whom you go with. H and the guy of the other couple we went with thought it was hilarious to steal our silverware and walk away from the table to see how long it was before we noticed they were gone.