Via Vanti! Restaurant & Gelateria Hosts "Dining in the Dark" Event to Benefit Guiding Eyes for the Blind

On Sunday, January 26, from 1PM until 4PM, Via Vanti! Restaurant & Gelateria in Mt. Kisco will host “Dining in the Dark,” Westchester’s first of its kind “blind dining” experience to support Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  A delicious 5-course tasting menu plus gelato will be served.  Guests will be offered blindfolds to test just how discriminating their taste buds are with prizes awarded to the diners with the savviest palates.  

“We wanted to create a delicious menu with interesting harmonious flavors and flavor contrasts, textures and aromas to heighten the mindfulness of the diners,” says Via Vanti! owner Carla Gambescia. “Not only is ‘Dining in the Dark’ a fun and unique experience, it’s also for a great cause.”

For someone without sight, a Guiding Eyes dog is a priceless, life-changing gift providing independence, companionship, and mobility. Headquartered in Yorktown Heights, Guiding Eyes for the Blind provides guide dogs, professional training, and follow-up support services to blind and visually impaired individuals around the world at no cost to them, depending solely on contributions to fulfill its mission. Additionally, Guiding Eyes’ Heeling Autism Program places specially trained service dogs with children on the autism spectrum.

“Guiding Eyes is excited about the opportunity to raise the awareness of our mission by partnering with Via Vanti! for this total sensory experience,” shares Sue Dishart, VP of Marketing and Development. 

“Dining in the Dark” is $75 per person.  Seating is limited and reservations are required.  Via Vanti! Restaurant & Gelateria is located at 2 Kirby Plaza in Mount Kisco.  For more information or to reserve your space, contact Via Vanti! at 914-666-6400 or visit their website, www.viavanti.com.

About Guiding Eyes for the Blind: Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an internationally accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit guide dog school founded in 1954. Since its inception, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge training programs, commitment to excellence, and dedication to its elite and superbly trained guide dogs. In 2008, the school launched Heeling Autism, a service dog program designed to provide safety and companionship for children on the autism spectrum. Guiding Eyes provides all of its services at no cost, and is dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission. The organization’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and its Canine Development Center is in Patterson, N.Y. For more info, visit www.guidingeyes.org, like Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) or follow @guidingeyes on Twitter.