You eat with your mouth, but especially with your eyes. A piece of meat looks very juicy, the carrot puree is a nice orange and the different colors of the vegetables in the pasta already make your mouth water. Blind and visually impaired people do not eat with their eyes, but mainly use other senses. Just like sighted people, they also enjoy good food. Thanks to Ctaste, sighted persons get the experience of eating in the dark. Visually handicapped people gratefully use the possibilities of their disability and ensure flawless service and guidance for the often very insecure guests.
- What is Ctaste?
- Offer: Dining in the dark
- Reservations and promotions
- Eating responses in the dark
What is Ctaste?
Located in Amsterdam, Ctaste is a darkened restaurant where diners eat in the dark. In addition, the service is done by blind or partially sighted waiters and waitresses. The owners Sandra Ballij and Bas de Ruiter got their inspiration from Paris, where they were introduced to a restaurant in the dark. They brought this concept to the Netherlands in 2007. The subsidy-free organization employs ten blind and partially sighted people, making them feel fully fledged and integrated into society. Moreover, these people grow mentally because they come into contact with other people every day. Guests arrive in the restaurant in the evening and then quietly look at the menu and order the food in the light. Naturally, the kitchen also takes into account the allergy or dietary requirements of the guests. Then the guests hand in their coats, bags, cell phones and tablets, which is safely stored in a locker. This encourages spontaneous conversations and, moreover, guests are really completely at the mercy of the dark. Only then does the supervisor take them to the darkened dining room. The visually handicapped employees are always available for the guests; they are always ready to serve ordered drinks or to take them to another place. In other words, the experts in the dark are responsible for the atmosphere and a smooth course of the evening.
Offer: Dining in the dark
Guests receive a three to five course dinner, depending on their wishes. Optionally, an extra wine arrangement is possible. In addition, beer, wine and champagne tastings are possible for the guests. And those who like it sweet have also come to the right place at Ctaste: ice cream and chocolate can be experienced from a different angle. Tasting, hearing, smelling and feeling are always central. In addition, individually adapted group arrangements are possible for groups. For example, large dinners are no problem for dozens of people.
Reservations and promotions
Reservations can be made by telephone, via an app or via the website. Ctaste has provided another interesting option. Ordering a gift voucher online is one of the options. In other words, surprising someone with a dinner in the dark is perfectly possible.
Eating responses in the dark
Most people find it very scary at first and are nervous to be in the dark. It feels claustrophobic and it’s oppressive not to see anything at all. But this uncomfortable feeling soon disappears, especially since the experts are always close by in the dark. Since no one sees each other, some quickly switch to eating with fingers. Some spill while others manage to eat and drink everything neatly. By making extra use of other senses, the texture and taste of the food gets an extra dimension, as do the conversations with table companions. Possible topics of conversation emerge very quickly while eating in the dark. The atmosphere is therefore often very loose and light.