Last week we had dinner out at a restaurant for the
first time since March. It was a heady experience, sitting there with another
couple to talk to (!!), people bringing me food and drink. We were sensible, though. We ate outside at a
patio, our table positioned a good 10 feet from the next. We arrived in masks, gave
our orders in masks (to the masked waitress), then ate and replaced the masks
when we left. But it was still magical.
So magical because life almost felt normal again.
Where
we ate had an already-existing outdoor dining area, surrounded by flowers and
greenery, but I’m sure you’ve seen the less successful versions. Restaurants
around here without the good fortune to have outdoor seating have slapped a
ring of Jersey barriers up in their parking lots, and gathered tables and
chairs, some of which look like they’ve been resurrected from someone’s
basement. Maybe when the sun goes down (which here in the height of summer
doesn’t happen till 8:00 p.m.) it feels a little less Spartan, but I’m not tempted.
Buoyed
by our dinner success, a few days later My Guy and I went out to a hamburger
spot for lunch. It was grey out and misting gently, and I tried to remember if
the restaurant we’d chosen had a covered outdoor area. We arrived, and I saw
that it did, but was already filled. Across the asphalted parking lot the
restaurant had added a tented area but that had all the charm of a car wash.
We tentatively
went inside. Would we like a table? Okay, we said, if we’re far away
from everyone else.
Sure
enough, we were given a booth off in a corner, the other diners so distant it
was difficult to make out their features.
In
the center of the table was something that looked a little like a quilt square
but turned out to be our link to the restaurant’s website and therefore the
menu, accessed with our phones. No need to touch a germy menu, and no need for
the restaurant to pay for disposable ones.
Again
we ordered in masks, had a relaxing meal, and felt a little as though we’d
gotten away with something.
Now
if only everyone else would continue to stay home.
I got vicarious enjoyment from your post. We haven't eaten out since the first weekend in March. Neither have we seen our family, except outside and at a distance. That menu idea is a good one. Stay well - I'm staying home.
ReplyDeleteYou are braver than we are.
ReplyDeleteI have not yet eaten out, and don't know when we will again.
I ate out yesterday in a cool breeze and enjoyed a wonderful meal. It does seem a little like we're getting away with something, doesn't it? Our city has blocked off whole sections of streets so that the stores and restaurants can create some good places to interact and still be safe. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've seen those quilt block links in lots of places, but I don't have the sort of phone that can access them. I'd be needing a blackboard menu with numbered items to choose from if regular menus aren't available because of the risk.
ReplyDeleteI've barely looked into eating away from home and have no idea what is on offer.
ReplyDeleteOrdering in masks is going to be the order of the day, at least for some time. Good to know that people are using caution when venturing out.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of just removing your masks to eat when no one else is close by. Great idea about the menus.
ReplyDeleteAh, those were the days. The menu idea is an amazing adaptation. We are a clever species when needed.
ReplyDeletewe rarely ate out before all this so we're really not missing that. but there is an upscale restaurant here in this small town, nice concept organic and locally sourced, that had to close when we were locked down, then reopened when allowed to basically no customers...let us know if you are planning on coming for a meal and we'll be here for you otherwise it's just us hanging out. but then she closed again because she couldn't keep any staff. she's an ani-masker.
ReplyDelete