I'm low vision and really struggle in the dark, I have just about no vision in low light. Most restaurants that I frequent are pretty low light so I've had to work around that. I don't really see a way of getting around that without ruining the ambiance for everyone else, as a result I've figured out ways around having no sight in these situations.

Beyond that my three biggest issues are the menu, navigating the restaurant, and the check.

I always carry my video magnifier on me in my messenger bag to help me with text based things, however that has a battery and it has been known to die when I most need it. I think having a decent amount of large print and Braille menus for those who need them is a good start.

With regards to navigation, I am personally a white cane user with formal orientation and mobility training. I think if you are looking into training employees getting in touch with a local O&M specialist would be a good start. I've found that most people who have had formal O&M training usually speak roughly the same language when referring to matters of navigation. Using things like clock directions is an example. Usually there isn't too much walking around that needs to be done, but finding the register if the check is paid at there rather than the table, or finding restrooms is particularly challenging at times. On this note, finding staff members when I need something is pretty difficult at times. I don't have a specific idea on how to make that easier but an O&M specialist could help come up with a solution for that.

The last piece is the check. I usually pay with debit so there is a signature required. I think a lot of staff members forget about all the aspects of being visually impaired and they just leave the receipt at the table. I have a hard time finding the signature line. Making sure that the staff asks if the person can find the line is a good start. Many people (including myself) will carry signature guides, which are small business card sized cards with a hole cut for a signature. I usually have the person waiting on me place the signature guide on the line and signing is easy. If for whatever reason I choose not to use a signature guide I usually just ask that the person guide the pen to the line for me and I sign there. If I'm paying with cash, I think most people prefer to have cash stacked from lowest denomination to highest. I also appreciate it when they tell me how many of each bill there is because I fold my bills for identification.

With regards to equipment, I typically carry all the equipment that makes my life easier anyway, so I don't know what else you could add.

I hope this helps!

This is not so much about equipment but just customer relations, if you will. It is really annoying when I go to a restaurant with someone and the waiters use them as an "interpreter" to talk to me. "what will he order? Does he want it medium rare?" I completely understand that for someone not used to talking to disabled people it may be awkward or something, but that would be quite a big improvement for me in any number of places.

Coffee tables, or not completely clear pathways suck. Absolutely suck. I'm low vision/no vision in dark and went out to dinner with my family last night for dinner. The restaurant had several fish tanks my daughter made a beeline for, I walked into two chairs and a coffee table to catch her. Sorry but this is my biggest pet peeve, especially when the coffee table serves no purpose.

I am totally blind and have only been so for a year, so I still go out to eat only when I am with someone with vision. Still, in this time, we have come across a few things that would be notable for your question.
I know that it is habit for servers, but anytime I sit down and they try to hand me a menu it gets rather awkward. Servers need to be very vocal about taking orders, most of the time I am unsure if I am being addressed until my girlfriend says so or tells me to order. Braille menus are fine, but learning the menu is a lot faster when you are with someone with vision, plus I know that restaurants with ever-changing menus would have some trouble acquiring fresh braille menus. If financially feasible, iPads or tablets with assistive technology and screen readers could be quite useful depending on how large your restaurant is. I went to a restaurant in Canada where the servers all carried around iPad minis and were able to check you out right at the table and thought it was quite pleasant.

For the food, please tell your servers not to grab. Have the servers BeVocal about the food being there and describing what they are doing and how they are placing it in front of the blind patron. As was previously mentioned, a standard clock face orientation description would be all that is necessary when describing the locations of plates, drinks, and the food itself on the plate. I say don't grab because I have had a server physically grabbed my wrist and splat my hand into the food on the plate after she placed it in front of me to show me where everything was. Servers being vocal about refilling water glasses and drinks while at the table is also extremely helpful and will aid in avoiding accidents…while in conversation, I have casually grab for my water glass while it was in the process of being refilled and it makes for a very messy situation, especially in loud environments where it is hard to pick up The servers manipulating things on the table.