Uncanny Valley

This restaurant, and it’s sister, create empathy for the blind by serving completely in the dark. The name means “Blind Cow” in German. There is one in Zürich and one in Basel. All the waitrons and dining room staff are blind, so are not really inhibited by the darkness.

Apparently you pay first, get a table number, and then are escorted behind a heavy curtain to your table. There is no smoking in here for obvious reasons. If you need to get up, you can call your server, and when you make snapping you fingers and occasionally saying “achtung” will warn others of your presence.

The Basel branch just opened in February 2005 in apparent response to the huge popularity of the Zürich restaurant.

This restaurant, and it’s sister, create empathy for the blind by serving completely in the dark. The name means “Blind Cow” in German. There is one in Zürich and one in Basel. All the waitrons and dining room staff are blind, so are not really inhibited by the darkness.

Apparently you pay first, get a table number, and then are escorted behind a heavy curtain to your table. There is no smoking in here for obvious reasons. If you need to get up, you can call your server, and when you make snapping you fingers and occasionally saying “achtung” will warn others of your presence.

For those who want to try things gradually, there is a bar in addition to the restaurant. But if you have a hard time stuporing about in the light you might not do so well at a lightless bar.