Restaurants Are Open Again: 10 Things To Expect
Dining out in these days means embracing a new reality with new rules. Here's what you should know.
Hurray, restaurants are open again! We’ve all missed dining out, spending time with friends over a delicious meal cooked by a pro. With wine or cocktails and thoughtful service. But while we miss the dining scene, it’s undeniable that nearly two years of pandemic has made its mark on the restaurant experience. In addition to following government-mandated guidelines, restaurants have had a year and a half to fine tune everything from safety and hygiene procedures, to spiffing up outdoor spaces for you to dine in. What changes can we expect from the dining out experience? Let’s take a look.
The new rules for dining out
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Updated floor plans and outdoor dining
Restaurant floor plans are now adjusted for social distancing, so expect tables to be spaced apart more generously. Plus, many restaurants now have bigger and better al fresco spaces for open air dining.
Photo Credit: Old Swiss Inn
Streetside dining
We’ve seen more and more restaurants expand and build new outdoor spaces, making use of balconies and patios, and even expanding into sidewalks and streets. Cities like Makati and Taguig have reinvented spaces to accommodate restaurant diners and open air markets, as is the case with the #MakatiAlFrescoParklets.
Photo Credit: @makeitmakati
Staff vaccinations
A growing number of restaurants now have staff who are 100% vaccinated. Following IATF guidelines, all restaurant workers are regularly screened and are not allowed to work if they exhibit symptoms.
Photo Credit: @nanka_ph
Masks on
Restaurant staff are required to wear masks, even those working back-of-house. Plenty of restaurants are also asking guests to don masks before and after meals.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Slimmer menus
Expect to see slimmer menus as many restaurants removed items or adjusted their menus to focus on food deliveries and to simplify operations. Do check if there are specials for dine in guests.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Reservations
With restaurants operating at limited capacity, it’s best to reserve your table way in advance. This makes it easier for them to manage the flow of diners, and allows for time to disinfect restaurant areas between guests.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Table adjustments
Instead of face-to-face seating, you may have to sit diagonally from your dining companions. Many establishments have also put up acrylic dividers or barriers between diners.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Digital menus & cashless payment
Many restaurants have adopted high tech solutions to help limit person-to-person interactions. You might scan a digital menu and order through your phone (perhaps you may even place your food order ahead of time). In many cases you’ll also be able to pay through your phone. No need to handle paper menus or cash!
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Check status of bars, play areas and other spaces
Spaces where people will tend to have closer contact with each other are discouraged. So check if the restaurant bar or play area is open. Most likely, these will be closed off.
Photo Credit: Sofitel Manila
Higher costs
With the rising prices of commodities, don't be shocked to find your usual favorite dish priced higher than you remembered. Do enjoy yourself and dine out again.
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Restaurant guidelines may change depending on IATF regulations or on the quarantine level the city is under. For the complete list of health protocol guidelines required by the DTI for restaurants and fast food establishments, please click here.
Lead photo: Unsplash
