Almost 100 diners share this intimately spaced dining experience in groups of 12 per table. The Blind Café utilizes various venues to facilitate the optimum dark experience the café concept is built upon.
Somewhere in the development of the concept for Rosh was the thought to fold in actual blind waiters. In speaking with a blind person Rosh knew, she encouraged the idea. Rosh is careful to couch the café’s experience to NOT be attempting to emulate an actual blind experience as most blind people have some experience of light or sight. It does open a forum for diners to learn more from the blind staff however about their experience and level the playing field for the blind with the sighted when in the café. The Blind Café has become a business which Rosh indicated was required for its sustainability though they possess a 501c3 nonprofit status in Boulder and will be doing fundraising work to benefit puppy guide dog programs.
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The concert portion of the evening. Listening to the music in the dark definitely heightened the attention to all the sounds.
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DiannG says
Interesting post. Don't think i would enjoy this experience. I had anxiety just reading about it….but good for you for giving it a try!
Think I will just stick to visiting the zoo and eating at the Kamala Cafe!
Boulder Locavore says
It's funny Diann I think this is the type of experience people feel very polar about. You'll note here many comments feeling they would not love this experience and one who went and found it very positively powerful as Rosh the founder did driving him to foster the concept in the U.S. I did not know what to expect but did NOT expect the feelings of discomfort I had. I was very glad to be with a friend and when 'debriefing' she felt many of the things I had. From the comments in the room during the evening there were certainly people enjoying themselves too. It's not that I was NOT enjoying myself but more taking it all in. I wonder if the heat was in control, were I with a different group of tablemates, were the seating less jam packed how I'd find it. There is certainly a following for the concept but I think once was enough for me!
Lori Lynn says
Your storytelling POV is fabulous. Riveting.
Not sure I want to try it. Thanks for the experience.
LL
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you Lori Lynn. I just read a recount from another local writer who attended the night I had (did not know her) and was interested that she exepeienced many of the same things I did. Feeling a bit like we were traveling into a Haunted House (the only reference point I have to embarking into similar darkness), resorting to eating with her hands to know what we were eating. She recalled some poetry that was read which I had forgotten until reading her piece. It definitely is unlike any other dining experience I have had!
Yesim says
there s also a restaurant in istanbul which serves same as your experience, i wasnt feeling enough couraged to try that.. i may do that after your post:))
Claire Walter says
There is (or was) a similar restaurant in New York called Dans le Noir that serves/served French cuisisne. It opened in 2010, but I don't know whethter it is still there.
CS says
What an experience. Unexpected things like the high heat, all the food being cold, someone else's hands in your plate, naturally gravitating to eating with your fingers, the lighting of the candle in the room! I don't want to do this myself – I'm glad you did it – like mountain climbing in the snowy winter cold, something I am much happier to read about than do myself!
Just brilliant, one of your total classics, my friend!
Boulder Locavore says
I really did not think too deeply about it before I went and it does reveal things to oneself. I was surprised about my anxious reaction to the deep dark and learned afterwards that my accompanying friend felt the same. Maybe it's a natural response since as humans we don't dwell normally in those conditions.
I'm glad you enjoyed the write up and that I saved you doing it yourself!
Chef Connie says
Fabulous. I have to go next time. Sounds like a fantastic experience. Your pictures really convey the feeling of the evening!
Boulder Locavore says
I believe they are coming back to Boulder mid summer Connie. If you check their website either the date should be on there or you can email them; they are very responsive. I'd love to hear about your experience if you go!
Chef Dennis says
alright now your just too funny, I love your images! It sounds like it was quite an interesting way to have dinner, and I would think that with your sight taken out of the equation that your other senses would have kicked in more…..
It's probably better I wasn't there, I may have had more fun that I should have!
Dennis
Boulder Locavore says
Did you think the white balance was ok in the photos?!
I do think the other senses kick in. I suspect the sense of how loud it was was more a function of sensitized hearing. I can't comment on heightened smell or taste since the food was cold on purpose. Relied more on tactile sensitivity too. Fortunately no went 'haunted house' in the event with random 'Here's Johnnie' surprises. I think that would have taken the cake.
ping says
Great post, Toni! I really think I've taken “sight” for granted. Definitely will be more appreciative of my eyes after this. I'm claustrophobic, and this, I know, from your description, would probably send me into a panic attack altho I'd definitely give this a go if ever I get the chance … just for the experience.
LOL! I like the part about the “rogue pair of legs” … are you sure someone wasn't trying to play footsie? 🙂 I would think this is a great environment for tricks 😀
Boulder Locavore says
I'm NOT sure someone was not trying to play footsie and I suspect it was the same diner fondling my friends salad! Made me glad the lights did not unexpectedly come on for fear of what might have been going on across the table from us! Somehow not being able to see while listening to the blind participants speak about their experiences was profound and lent itself to being grateful for my sight. I am very visually driven and I think if my sight went away I might feel the angst I felt going into the dark of the Cafe. I really cannot imagine it…..
Claire Walter says
My husband and I attended the pevious Blind Cafe (http://j.mp/yeoCKU). Different people obviously have different reactions. Mine was not of discomfort or nervousness but rather of comfort, knowing that I was in the same pitch dark boat as everyone else. Rather than the one-upmanship that often appears at food-oriented events, where people boast about what unusual foods they eaten in what exotic locations, which name or self-discovered restaurants they've eaten at, which well-known chefs they know and who know them, etc., the evening was very collegial and congenial. I got to know — at least for an evening — people I would never recognize unless I heard their voices, and yet we bonded so powerfully at that table in that very dark room.
Boulder Locavore says
Claire I love hearing your experience. It sounds very siimilar to Rosh's, the founder, inspiring him to start this up in the States. I found it was an experience with many layers. Our table was not so lively but frankly I felt very introspective so maybe that worked out well.
Claire Walter says
Agree completely about the multi-layered aspects to the Blind Cafe experience. It might, in some way be part of the reality that we guests are all equally deprived of a sense we tend to rely on in social situations (and in all of out lives). Some of us draw into introspection, while others reach out to the people behind the voices we hear. The chemistry and dynamics of each able are also different.
Lea Ann says
Nice photos! 🙂 Yikes, I would NOT like that. I felt panic and anxiety just reading about it. I have a great deal of respect for you doing this Toni. Do you let you out if you beg?
Boulder Locavore says
Admittedly Lea Ann I was both caught off guard by my reaction entering the darkness and contemplated being unsure if I could do it! When it ended I confessed to my friend who was with me that I'd begun to feel a sense of anxiety when entering. She too had felt it and said once having a little piece of cheese felt she'd done enough and was ready to go!
I do think it helped to have a 'program' and when they verbally kicked off the experience I felt more at ease. There definitely were some funny aspects too. The entire thing is unlike anything I've ever done!
Angela says
I love this post, and I definitely want to have this experience. Thanks for sharing, and for the photos 🙂
Boulder Locavore says
They are coming back to Boulder during the summer Angela. If you look at their site I believe the dates will be there! If you go let me know what you think!