Blackout In Old Yaffo

Last night, we went to Blackout, a restaurant in Old Yaffo where you eat in total darkness. The restaurant is run by visually impaired and hearing impaired individuals. It is dairy and under the Tel Aviv Rabbinate. You arrive and register (you must have reservations and there are only thirty diners per sitting). You are given a glass of wine while waiting as you peruse the menu for the evening. Your meal includes an appetizer, main course and dessert. Once you have chosen your selections for the three courses, you are led (train style, hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you) into a totally dark room and seated at your table by your visually impaired waiter. They gave us an english speaking waiter to make it easier on us. He explains the layout of your table (ie; where the cutlery is; where the caraffe of water is, and how to pour without spilling) and then begins the meal service. I will not tell you much more except to say that you never adjust to the total darkness and the experience is very worthwhile. The food and service were good but the total experience was the highlight. It is not cheap, so my advice is to look for it on Eluna auctions (which is what we did) which makes the experience more affordable. As well, there are other possibilities there; there is a play with deaf and blind actors and other programs to increase your sensitivity to the handicapped.