By: Karoline Bourdeau
I recently visited Sambucas, an Italian restaurant in Toronto, along with a large group of friends. We had four guide dogs between us, and the service we received couldn’t have been better. The restaurant was busy when we arrived, but that didn’t stop the attentive staff from making our group of thirteen feel welcome. While we were being seated, extra space was made for our guide dogs so that they could rest comfortably during the meal. Our server not only took the time to learn our names, including the names of our guide dogs but also gave us a detailed overview of the substantial menu. Many people who are blind or partially sighted will be familiar with the sometimes-awkward moment when you need to ask for sighted assistance to find the restroom in a public place. After we finished our dinner, the helpful staff respectfully guided our group to the restrooms without hesitation. As we waited for our respective rides home, the staff made us feel welcome and invited us to return to the restaurant anytime. We’re all looking forward to our next visit to Sambucas on Church.