It's a place where you dine (of drink, I believe they have a bar too) in complete darkness. It sounds very interesting and I really want to take my hubby to celebrate his birthday, but he speaks no german and I wonder if it would be the right experience for him. Has anyone been?

http://www.blindekuh.ch/

I haven't, but good friends of mine were at our place right after they went and they raved about it. Neither of them speak German, but we still talk about it (it's been 6 mos) from time-to-time. They also serve food there, all the waiters are blind and they take you through this whole experience, it's a real treat apparently. You have to reserve far in advance, though, so you might want to call now! The food is incredible, as well, they said! Enjoy!!

yes me and hubby went there, it was a fun experiance and we speak no german. You go into the lobby which is light and choose what you want to eat and drink before you get taken in by your waiter. we had a lovely guy called herman who spoke good enough english, you hold onto his shoulders and your partner holds yours ect. he shows you to your table (rember this is all in pitch black). It was fun and everything gets explained to you when you first go in so no worries. Makes the food taste great because you cant see it, dont know why but it did and we didnt find the prices to bad either.

I've been to blindekuh with my son (11) last summer and it was a rather interesting and intense experience. The food is good, though nothing mind-bliwing, but the setting in total darkness is absolutely stunning. Either the waiters will speak english (you might want to check with them beforehand) or you'll have to translate. It is sharing the world of blind people for an hour or two and language barriers there are as common as in the seeing world, i.e. can be dealt with. You need some level of comfort with letting go control though, since you will not be able to see a thing during the whole stay at the place (apart from when going to the loo). As i said, intense (for seeing people) but great and well worth it.

Cannot recommend it highly enough. A very sensuous experience.

Hi, I have been a couple of times (work outing and date), its definitely a unique experience and I think its a right for a special occaision. There is no bar to speak of and you choose your food outside of the darkness and get led to your table by a blind assistant. Mobile phones and any light emitting devices are not permitted in the restaurant.

The food is pretty so-so, you pay more for the experience and actually are contributing to the charity running the restaurant, so all in a good cause.

From the last time I checked a while ago, they have a waiting list of a couple of weeks I think.

Also, not sure I should admit this here, but also its good fun to make the most of the dark in a romantic occaision (of course I mean just touching hands )

Not a place to wear your best party frock as spillages can happen finding the wine glasses and dropping food.

Should be good fun. Highly recopmmended.

It's quite an experience, and I'd certainly recommend it. Food not spectacular, to be honest, but that's not what you're going for. Better get booking now if you want to go sometime this year!!

PS something that becomes very obvious in hindsight, is that this is not an event/experience to wear your most expensive togs to

Also....thinking about it. There was one obvious issue with the restaurant, that is the conversation that obviously comes up when talking about the experience in the restaurant.

I went with my boss and he was American and pretty indiscreetly talked about how he would 'hate to be blind' and 'it would really be awful to not see anything forever'.

I think its certainly and temptation and part of something you want to talk about, but I would be mindful that the serving staff there are actually blind, and I just had a pang of guilt afterwards.

On my date we kept it to how strange the experience was and enjoyed it immensly without going down that road. After all, that is the point of the experience and the charity....to gain an understanding of how it feels and get involved...not to upset the staff.

Edit: Actually, sorry if that sounded preachy, I am sure the good people of the EF wouldnt do that...it was just a thought i haven't been able shake after my experience. No offence meant and didn't want to state the obvious at all.

They also do group* bookings.

My daughters class went for lunch as part of study section on living with handicaps. Evidently the children (13-ish) did get something out of it and their behavior was good as they could not typically terrorize each other having lost a sense.

Just additional info for anyone interested.


*not grope

<sarcasm level="mild">
Yes, it's very important not to talk about blindness there, or even to mention that you've just realised that you're sitting in the pitch darkness, or indeed that you've just been chewing on the end of your tie (having first inadvertantly been dipping it in the sauce on your plate).
</sarcasm>

The whole point of the venture, as the operating Foundation explicitly states, is to "promote the culture of blindness and mutual understanding between sighted and blind in our society".

When we were there, we talked with the staff explicitly and at some length about how one compensates for lack of sight, not just as staff in that controlled environment, but in The Real World too. Sitting in a dark restaurant, being served by blind and partly-sighted people, and not talking about sight and blindness would be bizarre, IMHO.

Sorry, but it does sound like your boss got the point of the activity much better than you did

...and the meat is from blind animals only.

Great experience, to get a bit of light just rub two pieces of sugar at each other.

Sounds like a good excuse to get some of these.

Heading to Blindekuh( the blind cow, eating in complete darkness restaurant) tonight.

So who has already been there and how was the experience?

Cheers

Was there in January. Was a great experience! The staff were very helpful and the food was excellent. Went with the surprise menu to add to the experience and was able to mostly guess what was eating. It takes a bit to adjust and almost makes you feel sleepy but defo worth it, i would go back!

it's dark. Food is average. Experience is good.

Great Food and a night out at Blindekuh

+ 1. But it's worth the experience.

I tried it once, and will recommend people to try it... once.
Food is average and a bit overpriced, it's fun, but I'm not going back.

However I imagine it would be a great place for a date; No awkwardness figuring out when to keep eye contact, and easy to keep the conversation flowing with all the blind topics.

Of course, if the date is a mistake, you could just disappear by shutting up

Last time I went someone groped me!

Soo... It was a successful date?