Massachusetts restaurants reopen indoor dining: Here’s what it’s like
Massachusetts restaurateurs can now seat patrons at indoor tables — with a number of restrictions — following months of being under a coronavirus lockdown.
“We’re very excited. We throw dinner parties for a living, and that stopped,” said Barbara Comeau, general manager at Lower Mills Tavern in Dorchester. “Going back to that is really fun.”
The new second step of phase two of the governor’s reopening plan is a big deal for restaurateurs like Comeau, because Lower Mills Tavern had neither outdoor dining nor the space to build a temporary patio. They’ve been relying on takeout service to keep them afloat.
“It went pretty well until everything started opening up around us,” Comeau said, referring to step one of phase two, which allowed for outdoor dining.
Indoor seating has similar restrictions to those already in place for dining al fresco: tables must be spaced at least 6 feet apart, diners must wear masks unless they’re seated at their tables, and reusable menus are a big no-no. Bar seating is also still off-limits.
Some restaurateurs say they wish the governor would give them more of a heads-up before publicly announcing the next step in reopening.
“We’ve literally been getting two days’ notice, so it’s a little bit challenging for me. But we’ve made it work. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Sheila Senat, general manager at South Boston restaurant and bar.
Senat says it’s “hectic” to prepare to reopen with all the guidelines on such short notice. Restaurant workers have to physically move furniture around to comply with the restrictions, and they have to prepare everything from single use menus to individually portioned condiments.
At Legal Harborside, the staff has reconfigured everything from how patrons enter and exit the building to where chefs work in the kitchen.
Allowing restaurants to reopen for indoor dining alleviates one big worry: New England’s fickle weather spoiling business. Legal Harborside chef Chris Cowens said his staff had a moment of panic Sunday when storm clouds hovered over Boston while patrons dined on the patio.
“Having the new tables and a couple of the countertops that we’re allowed to use is definitely going to be a safety net to put them somewhere if weather does roll in,” he said.
But even with all the restrictions and safety measures, some customers say they still feel better enjoying their chowder outdoors.
“I definitely prefer outside seating still,” said diner Riley Heran. “The outside space makes me feel a little safer.”
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3fMbfaE
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June 22, 2020
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