RESTAURANT VISIT/s Via COVID-19

[+ Axiom2001]

I just returned home after having my breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants in Monterey, CA. ...didn't like the entire experience at all. In fact, it saddened me to the point of my almost falling apart and bursting out in a geyser of tears. The ambiance was quite quiet at this once busy and rather vibrant venue, and although the food was tasty and flavorful as in the past, my sitting alone at a table that was virtually situated in the middle of the room and having folks pass by me (masked) but not being six feet apart, unnerved me and urged my paying the bill immediately after I'd finished. ...did not see any of the former personnel either which got me thinking as well as questioning. ...will return again but for pre-ordered take out until there is some semblance of normalcy.

 

Last week I visited another favorite restaurant of mine in Carmel, CA. Another patron and I were the only ones in this particular area of the restaurant throughout the entire time; thus I was all right. I felt comfortable and quite relaxed. In fact, while briefly chatting with my youngish waitperson, I found out that I have been frequenting this wonderful place since its inception of some thirty years.

 

The only thing that baffled me was the cost; I had spent twenty-one dollars for a Cajun turkey burger accompanied by a side of a very sizeable amount of steamed broccoli and separate sauce. I had a milkshake as well to the tune of $7.00 (much too high). But, all in all, I've always liked the ambiance and some of the cute men who've been my waitpersons during the time that I have been going. Am glad that that experience did not unnerve me as the one that I had earlier today (July 6, 2020).

[+ GregM]

Could they have risen the prices to cover the cost of masks, extra gloves and cleaning supplies? I've heard some places adding on a surcharge to cover the cost of such things. My barber raised his prices to cover the now extra cost. Which unfortunately means I will be seeing him less. He was already a little high.

[marylander1940]

I just returned home after having my breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants in Monterey, CA. ...didn't like the entire experience at all. In fact, it saddened me to the point of my almost falling apart and bursting out in a geyser of tears. The ambiance was quite quiet at this once busy and rather vibrant venue, and although the food was tasty and flavorful as in the past, my sitting alone at a table that was virtually situated in the middle of the room and having folks pass by me (masked) but not being six feet apart, unnerved me and urged my paying the bill immediately after I'd finished. ...did not see any of the former personnel either which got me thinking as well as questioning. ...will return again but for pre-ordered take out until there is some semblance of normalcy.

 

Last week I visited another favorite restaurant of mine in Carmel, CA. Another patron and I were the only ones in this particular area of the restaurant throughout the entire time; thus I was all right. I felt comfortable and quite relaxed. In fact, while briefly chatting with my youngish waitperson, I found out that I have been frequenting this wonderful place since its inception of some thirty years.

 

The only thing that baffled me was the cost; I had spent twenty-one dollars for a Cajun turkey burger accompanied by a side of a very sizeable amount of steamed broccoli and separate sauce. I had a milkshake as well to the tune of $7.00 (much too high). But, all in all, I've always liked the ambiance and some of the cute men who've been my waitpersons during the time that I have been going. Am glad that that experience did not unnerve me as the one that I had earlier today (July 6, 2020).

 

Hey, you tried... if it wasn't the same experience order a delivery from that restaurant or pick up and give them a nice tip.

[+ nycman]

I agree. I’ve ventured out a few times. Sitting out side....not horrible.

Not great. Staff is confused and slightly terrified. Inside is even worse.

Strange table placement. Staff really terrified. Customers not much better.

Not relaxing or enjoyable at all. And after all, isn’t that the point of eating out?

To relax and enjoy a good meal.

 

I applaud the effort, and I‘ll keep trying as well, but I’m not hopeful.

Already a few places are starting to collapse under the burden of rent due.

No doubt, there will be more soon.

[Daverwr]

I haven’t tried to eat out yet. In my area, you cannot eat inside a restaurant, only outside. And quite frankly, I really don’t want to sit outside on a blistering summer day. I will continue to support my favorite restaurants with takeout, but it crushes me to say it will be a while before I eat out again.

 

New Normal SUCKS!

[rustyrex]

I had a hard time doing car side pickup for the longest time. I'm not even about to go inside to eat. Yes it's a different world and the world has changed in the few months this pandemic has been going. I miss eating out but since this whole thing has started I have been learning new skills on how to cook my own food and I'm getting better at stuff I didn't know how to do. I do feel bad for those in left in the service industry. I tip more nowadays to help out, to my understanding salaries didn't go up for food service workers and now they put their health at risk just to feed me. I'm not sure how long this will be sustainable for the food service but it isn't business as usual and it won't be for a while.

[+ Yellowrod]

A couple days ago a friend suggested meeting over the long weekend at a usually empty outdoor place. It was packed when we got there, and very little social distancing even on the patio. 6 feet is quite a bit, but most of the tables were only about 3 apart. The waitstaff, all masked, seemed very exasperated and stressed. All in all did not seem pleasant and most importantly very unsafe. We took off, ordered takeout elsewhere and ate that on a park bench instead.

[JustScott]

I ate at a restaurant a few weeks ago for the first time. The whole experience (like others have described on this thread) was surreal and just a sad reminder of what used to be. Have ordered lots of to-go from the favorite local spots and will likely do that for a long, long time. “Going out” won’t be what it was again for a while, if ever.

[+ FrankR]

I haven’t tried to eat out yet. In my area, you cannot eat inside a restaurant, only outside. And quite frankly, I really don’t want to sit outside on a blistering summer day. I will continue to support my favorite restaurants with takeout, but it crushes me to say it will be a while before I eat out again.

 

New Normal SUCKS!

Agree!!

 

[+ purplekow]

Perhaps because NJ has had a marked decrease in CoVid cases, the restaurants near the beach seem to be quite busy. Granted it is hard to make small talk with the wait staff when you and they are wearing masks and trying to keep a reasonable social distance, I met friends one day, had lunch with an escort friend on another day both times we were seated outdoors and the weather was reasonable. Om neither occasion were there people near us. These particular restaurants have had outdoor dining prior to the pandemic, so it did not seem peculiar. One of the places did set up a bar in its parking lot and people there were not being very safe. We did not sit anywhere near there nor did we interact with any of the people from there. I will be dining in mostly. but on occasion, I may head out to a local place.

[craigville beach]

I just returned home after having my breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants in Monterey, CA. ...didn't like the entire experience at all. In fact, it saddened me to the point of my almost falling apart and bursting out in a geyser of tears. The ambiance was quite quiet at this once busy and rather vibrant venue, and although the food was tasty and flavorful as in the past, my sitting alone at a table that was virtually situated in the middle of the room and having folks pass by me (masked) but not being six feet apart, unnerved me and urged my paying the bill immediately after I'd finished. ...did not see any of the former personnel either which got me thinking as well as questioning. ...will return again but for pre-ordered take out until there is some semblance of normalcy.

 

Last week I visited another favorite restaurant of mine in Carmel, CA. Another patron and I were the only ones in this particular area of the restaurant throughout the entire time; thus I was all right. I felt comfortable and quite relaxed. In fact, while briefly chatting with my youngish waitperson, I found out that I have been frequenting this wonderful place since its inception of some thirty years.

 

The only thing that baffled me was the cost; I had spent twenty-one dollars for a Cajun turkey burger accompanied by a side of a very sizeable amount of steamed broccoli and separate sauce. I had a milkshake as well to the tune of $7.00 (much too high). But, all in all, I've always liked the ambiance and some of the cute men who've been my waitpersons during the time that I have been going. Am glad that that experience did not unnerve me as the one that I had earlier today (July 6, 2020).

 

 

your a great person. i will bet you tipped more than the prior-covid standard. marshall on, you will survive and you need to continue your great efforts. my personal standard tip is now 25%. I wish i could afford more but that would cut into my circle of restaurant that i try to frequent. I'm not ready to "eat in" I am very ready to eat outside and limit my eating out to those establishments that allow for outside dinning. I don't need to drink wine or alcohol so where I live I have more choices. I try to "eat" out 2-3 times a week to support the people: who work, own, supply these establishments.

[+ Pensant]

Haven’t been to a restaurant since one foray in late May. I love to cook and have been enjoying it, using premium ingredients which are still far cheaper than my usual restaurants. Enjoying a nice filet right now, seared in a cast iron Lodge pan and finished in the oven, with a sprig of rosemary from my garden.

[Islesguy]

I just returned home after having my breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants in Monterey, CA. ...didn't like the entire experience at all. In fact, it saddened me to the point of my almost falling apart and bursting out in a geyser of tears. The ambiance was quite quiet at this once busy and rather vibrant venue, and although the food was tasty and flavorful as in the past, my sitting alone at a table that was virtually situated in the middle of the room and having folks pass by me (masked) but not being six feet apart, unnerved me and urged my paying the bill immediately after I'd finished. ...did not see any of the former personnel either which got me thinking as well as questioning. ...will return again but for pre-ordered take out until there is some semblance of normalcy.

 

Last week I visited another favorite restaurant of mine in Carmel, CA. Another patron and I were the only ones in this particular area of the restaurant throughout the entire time; thus I was all right. I felt comfortable and quite relaxed. In fact, while briefly chatting with my youngish waitperson, I found out that I have been frequenting this wonderful place since its inception of some thirty years.

 

The only thing that baffled me was the cost; I had spent twenty-one dollars for a Cajun turkey burger accompanied by a side of a very sizeable amount of steamed broccoli and separate sauce. I had a milkshake as well to the tune of $7.00 (much too high). But, all in all, I've always liked the ambiance and some of the cute men who've been my waitpersons during the time that I have been going. Am glad that that experience did not unnerve me as the one that I had earlier today (July 6, 2020).

If you want a quality milkshake near me, you will be paying $7 most times. Maybe there are a few in the $6 range, but $7 isn't out of line. Lower than that are you are getting more milk than ice cream.

[Guest]

I eat out frequently and feel safe. But as indicated, the “vibe” is different. I favor local places where I know the owners and serving staff, which helps, as we often can “cut up” and know family stories etc.

 

I don’t the price changes are driven by “covid add ons” but rather reality. Fixed costs for a restaurant are high and if revenue is down, you can only make it up with high margin to offset such costs

 

unfortunately, many who believed “profit” was an evil thing before this began will come to understand the importance of both profit and velocity of money in the economy.

[+ GregM]

I eat out frequently and feel safe. But as indicated, the “vibe” is different. I favor local places where I know the owners and serving staff, which helps, as we often can “cut up” and know family stories etc.

 

I don’t the price changes are driven by “covid add ons” but rather reality. Fixed costs for a restaurant are high and if revenue is down, you can only make it up with high margin to offset such costs

 

unfortunately, many who believed “profit” was an evil thing before this began will come to understand the importance of both profit and velocity of money in the economy.

 

The cost of food has gone up for restaurants. We know some owners of local places and they've mentioned it. Rents are next to go up to off set the cost of empty store fronts I think. We are at the beginning of negotiating a new lease on our spot and it's off to a bumpy start.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I just completed four days of jury duty. As such, I did my first dining out (I've been doing pick up or delivery once or twice a week all along) since March. It was a very different experience, but it was also at restaurants that I would not normally eat as the courthouse was not near my usual hangouts.

[+ Charlie]

I just completed four days of jury duty. As such, I did my first dining out (I've been doing pick up or delivery once or twice a week all along) since March. It was a very different experience, but it was also at restaurants that I would not normally eat as the courthouse was not near my usual hangouts.

Were you jurors socially distanced in the jury box, and wearing masks?

[big-n-tall]

If you want a quality milkshake near me, you will be paying $7 most times. Maybe there are a few in the $6 range, but $7 isn't out of line. Lower than that are you are getting more milk than ice cream.

 

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

Were you jurors socially distanced in the jury box, and wearing masks?

 

We were the first jury under the court's social distancing practices.

 

1. Jury box had been partitioned off so that we each had our own 'box' with a chair and divider between each of us and the two rows. From about shoulders up the partitions were Plexiglas.
   
2. There were no sidebars in the typical sense, as the sidebars couldn't be done with social distancing. As such, the prosecution, defense, and judge left the room to be able to remain 6 ft. separate and have the sidebar conversation.
   
3. Jurors were not required to wear masks; however, 12 of the 14 jurors did wear them. I took mine off when I needed my glasses to see exhibits that were projected across the room. A couple of others removed them most of the time we were seated. All court staff also had them on when moving around; however, as the testimony was being given, they were usually removed as everyone was at least 10 feet apart.
   
4. In the jury room, we each had a designated spot where we remained other than to use the restroom. After the first day, many of us got comfortable removing our masks in the jury room as it was difficult to hear folks seated across the room with the masks on.
   

Overall, the court was well-prepared to support social distancing.

[Rudynate]

My husband and I have done a couple of mid-week getaways in Sonoma recently. The last time they had opened for outside dining. We had dinner out twice and enjoyed it very much. We felt very comfortable with outside dining - the tables were spaced far apart, there was a breeze, the servers were all masked.

 

We have decided we aren't doing inside dining for the foreseeable future. We read an article that discussed the risk level in restaurants even with all the safety precautions. The problem is that you are inside the restaurant for long enough that your exposure to virus can approach a risky level even with all of the safety measures.

 

Were both committed to getting to the other side unscathed and we'll do what we have to.

[Guest]

...

 

The only thing that baffled me was the cost; I had spent twenty-one dollars for a Cajun turkey burger accompanied by a side of a very sizeable amount of steamed broccoli and separate sauce. I had a milkshake as well to the tune of $7.00 (much too high). But, all in all, I've always liked the ambiance and some of the cute men who've been my waitpersons during the time that I have been going. Am glad that that experience did not unnerve me as the one that I had earlier today (July 6, 2020).

 

I just got back from Monterey myself (a romantic week-end getaway with a man I hired last December for a week in Puerto Vallarta). It was nice to be able to go inside a restaurant for the first time in many months (the man I was with contracted the virus over Memorial Day, so no danger from him). The restaurants are having at best half capacity, but they still have to pay the same overhead costs, so I don't begrudge a higher cost. Quite frankly, I don't see how these places can even stay in business. I think the high costs mainly represent trying to stay afloat, not the costs of the masks and plastic dividers, etc. We ate twice at Hula's, and their prices were similar to pre-Covid. Also ate at the Fish Hopper, Nepenthe's, and had our breakfasts at El Torito. Glad to be able to support local businesses. In most cases, the prices didn't seem to be jacked up much from what I remembered.

[Guest]

The cost of food has gone up for restaurants. We know some owners of local places and they've mentioned it. Rents are next to go up to off set the cost of empty store fronts I think. We are at the beginning of negotiating a new lease on our spot and it's off to a bumpy start.

Good luck with negotiations. I’ll offer a counter point, I don’t think leases are about to go up, the counter point to rising vacancy is lower values. Without demand, landlords won’t have pricing leverage, rents will decline in aggregate and values will decline.

[JulianLondon]

[MEDIA=twitter]1280837441507786755[/MEDIA]

[+ sniper]

If you think vacancies mean your rent is going to go up, I suggest you outsource the negotiation. You aren't responsible for the units your landlord can't rent.

[Rudynate]

We may to eat meatless for awhile. I had read there is a meat shortage. I ordered groceries last night - no chicken available at all. Ground beef $10.00 pound. Fish is beginning to look economical. Oh well I have plenty of canned tuna and frozen tilapia