Dining Out (generally) since Reopening
Aug 29, 2020, 7:28 pm
#16
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,726
We've been out quite a few times since things opened here at the beginning of June. I'd say averaging about 6 times per month. Both indoors and out, but mainly outside because of the nice weather, not a virus fear.
For the most part, I wouldn't say things are mostly how we remember them, not better than before. If anything, I think it's a pleasure we don't take for granted any more, and perhaps that makes us appreciate the food and service more than before. Could that be impacting you too, Eastbay? Our best meal so far was a special set multi-course menu at Topolobampo (Rick Bayless's fine dining restaurant). But we've enjoyed several French bistros, a couple Italian places, our favorite Greek place in the area, burger spots, etc.
Interestingly, we've mostly stayed away from higher end and lower end restaurants. The former seems like too much of an event and production right now, and the I think we've just had enough of the latter after the first couple months of take out only.
For the most part, I wouldn't say things are mostly how we remember them, not better than before. If anything, I think it's a pleasure we don't take for granted any more, and perhaps that makes us appreciate the food and service more than before. Could that be impacting you too, Eastbay? Our best meal so far was a special set multi-course menu at Topolobampo (Rick Bayless's fine dining restaurant). But we've enjoyed several French bistros, a couple Italian places, our favorite Greek place in the area, burger spots, etc.
Interestingly, we've mostly stayed away from higher end and lower end restaurants. The former seems like too much of an event and production right now, and the I think we've just had enough of the latter after the first couple months of take out only.
We have done one high-end place and it was stellar. We went to Next (Chicago) for their Mexico City menu for my milestone birthday.
When we got hit with a tornado a few weeks ago, we ended up at a hotel for a couple nights. It happened to be one with no nearby restaurants with outdoor seating, so we ate inside for the first time since the pandemic struck. The place (Swift & Sons at Wrigley) has huge windows that open on 2 sides of the restaurant, so it still felt very airy...not sure I'd want to eat inside at a more densely packed spot.)
Aug 29, 2020, 11:24 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 28,109
We have absolutely zero indoor dining so its always whacky to read & see TRs and anecdotes and pictures with people dining indoors. Even with moderate air quality from smoky winds, people are still dining outdoors in cool (55-65) evenings. Brr
Aug 30, 2020, 10:54 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 5,936
Aug 30, 2020, 11:25 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 28,109
Aug 30, 2020, 11:55 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2015
Location: South Florida
Programs: DL Skymiles KE Skypass
Posts: 2,371
My wife and I joined her sister for her 69th birthday this past Thursday for a late lunch/early dinner at Bella Luna in Aventura. The seating was outside as per current Miami-Dade ordinance with only 50% capacity allowed. This was the first time dining out since the pandemic began for both of us as my wife has cancer and doesn't want to risk being exposed as her auto immune is very low.. I didn't feel comfortable as we were placed by the open door where the servers were coming in and out. However, they were all masked and wearing gloves and customers were seated with at least two tables in between each seated table for distancing.
Sep 1, 2020, 12:25 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 28,109
Im sure we did until Shelter due to Covid!! I just looked at my January / February 2020 calendar on my phone. I cant remember to enter everything we do, but each week had several mentions of a supper or luncheon at a place outside of home, both solo (me) and with my family or other people. I could check caviar receipts for all those delivered meals at our house which was also a big factor. I cant find when I started to grill supper so I wouldnt know if I started grilling after Shelter or if I was doing SOME (but not too much) before March 2020. I can recall occasional trips to get a can of grill fuel.
Sep 1, 2020, 12:33 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,525
Personally, I'm still not too comfortable eating at restaurants (especially indoors). While we've eaten on their patios a couple of times a lot of our "eating out" has simply been takeout--either taken back home or eaten in the car.
That said, when we do eat out, we do try to frequent the more local places to help them. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not sure I'd like a world where restaurant dining is mainly the major chains and not much else.
That said, when we do eat out, we do try to frequent the more local places to help them. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not sure I'd like a world where restaurant dining is mainly the major chains and not much else.
Sep 1, 2020, 1:43 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 28,109
Personally, I'm still not too comfortable eating at restaurants (especially indoors). While we've eaten on their patios a couple of times a lot of our "eating out" has simply been takeout--either taken back home or eaten in the car.
That said, when we do eat out, we do try to frequent the more local places to help them. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not sure I'd like a world where restaurant dining is mainly the major chains and not much else.
That said, when we do eat out, we do try to frequent the more local places to help them. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not sure I'd like a world where restaurant dining is mainly the major chains and not much else.
I now have zero desire for any restaurant while Im able to cook at home. I reluctantly drive my spouse to sometimes get carryout which I only sometimes would eat, esp because I know that Ill eat the leftovers for a future luncheon because Im the only one here who actively eats leftovers.
Sep 1, 2020, 3:32 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,525
we have zero indoor dining here so Im forever gobsmacked when I read about indoor dining.
I now have zero desire for any restaurant while Im able to cook at home. I reluctantly drive my spouse to sometimes get carryout which I only sometimes would eat, esp because I know that Ill eat the leftovers for a future luncheon because Im the only one here who actively eats leftovers.
I now have zero desire for any restaurant while Im able to cook at home. I reluctantly drive my spouse to sometimes get carryout which I only sometimes would eat, esp because I know that Ill eat the leftovers for a future luncheon because Im the only one here who actively eats leftovers.
As for leftovers, the key I think is to cook only enough to have one or two day's worth. Personally, I can't eat the same meal more than a couple of times.
Sep 1, 2020, 6:31 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 28,109
Yeah, my county apparently was able to get its numbers low enough that the state's allowing it again. We'll see how that goes I guess.
As for leftovers, the key I think is to cook only enough to have one or two day's worth. Personally, I can't eat the same meal more than a couple of times.
As for leftovers, the key I think is to cook only enough to have one or two day's worth. Personally, I can't eat the same meal more than a couple of times.
Sep 1, 2020, 6:59 pm
#29
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,726
Apparently Chicago has extended sidewalk dining permits until Dec. 4. Our sidewalk dining typically ends far before that, but this year I figure we'll all pretend we're in Europe and eat outside under space heaters and bundled up.
Sep 1, 2020, 7:53 pm
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,163
Yeah, my county apparently was able to get its numbers low enough that the state's allowing it again. We'll see how that goes I guess.
As for leftovers, the key I think is to cook only enough to have one or two day's worth. Personally, I can't eat the same meal more than a couple of times.
As for leftovers, the key I think is to cook only enough to have one or two day's worth. Personally, I can't eat the same meal more than a couple of times.
I usually cook enough for three meals. I'll eat one when I cook it and have the other two for later in the week. My fridge right now has 2 portions of a breaded and baked chicken, 2 portions of pork loin, and 1 pork chop. Each has a side packaged with it, so I can simply grab the container, reheat it for a minute or two, and eat.
Im the only one for leftovers and I have strong inventories. Tomorrow Ill eat the Chinese leftovers from the weekend because I cant bear to see it wasted and it probably cost the same as 3 days of grocery staples. Surely cost more than 4 pounds of rib eye at Safeway. Sigh.