Latest news with #MoeAlameddine
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
You must order using sign language at this ByWard Market restaurant this summer
Diners will be required to 'sign for their supper' while sitting on the patio of a restaurant in Ottawa's ByWard Market this summer. Dark Fork opened its restaurant in the ByWard Market last September, the city's first 'dine-in-the-dark restaurant.' Patrons eat in a dark dining room where cellphones and other sources of artificial light are forbidden. With the arrival of patio season, Dark Fork is launching the first ever sign language dining experience on its patio on George Street. 'This summer, Dark Fork – famous for its 'dining in the dark' experience – is stepping into the sunlight with a powerful new concept: a patio where guests 'sign for their supper,'' Dark Fork said in a statement. Starting in June, diners enjoying their meal on the heritage stone patio will be required to place their orders in sign language. 'Staffed by deaf and hard-of-hearing servers, the new outdoor space offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage with deaf culture in a welcoming, hands-on way,' the restaurant said. Dark Fork says 'easy-to-follow visual guides' will be placed on each table to show diners how to sign 'please,' 'thank you,' and 'check' along with clear illustrations for each menu item. The 'sign for your supper' patio experience will run from June 4 until the end of the summer. 'This initiative is a collaboration with the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic and is about more than food,' Moe Alameddine, founder of Dark Fork, said in a statement. 'It's about connection, inclusion, and being part of someone else's world for a little while.'
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Dark Fork Launches First-Ever Sign Language Dining Experience on Ottawa Patio
A Feast for the Senses – and a Celebration of Connection OTTAWA, ON, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Ottawa's most unique dining destination is about to get even more unforgettable. This summer, Dark Fork —famous for its "dining in the dark" experience—is stepping into the sunlight with a powerful new concept: a patio where guests "sign for their supper." What if you had to use your hands—literally—to order dinner? Starting in June, visitors will be invited to enjoy gourmet meals on the restaurant's stunning heritage stone patio in the Byward Market—while placing their orders entirely in Sign Language. Staffed by Deaf and hard-of-hearing servers, the new outdoor space offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage with Deaf culture in a welcoming, hands-on way. For those new to Sign Language, there's no need to worry— easy-to-follow visual guides on each table will show diners how to sign essentials like "please," "thank you," and "check," along with clear illustrations for each menu item. Whether you're fluent or just learning, you'll be part of an unforgettable dining experience rooted in curiosity, communication, and fun. " This initiative is a collaboration with the Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic and is about more than food—it's about connection, inclusion, and being part of someone else's world for a little while," says Moe Alameddine, founder of Dark Fork. Dark Fork, which opened in fall 2024, is already renowned for its immersive "blind dining" experience—where visually impaired servers guide guests through a completely dark meal inside the restaurant. With the launch of its sign-language patio, Dark Fork becomes the only restaurant in the world where both blind and deaf staff work side-by-side, sharing the kitchen, the bar, and the heart of the hospitality experience. The "Sign for Your Supper" patio experience will run from June 4th through the end of summer, offering a mouthwatering seasonal menu featuring steak, chicken, fish, and vegetarian options. No reservations required. Just come hungry—and curious.
