covid 19 deals a serious blow to hospitality
Our in-boxes are filled with notices from local restaurants about what they are doing to combat the spread of the virus: more frequent sanitizing following strict protocols, seating every second table or removing tables to increase social distance; careful monitoring of staff for signs of sickness. Downtown Dining Week has been cancelled; restaurants are voluntarily closing for public safety, either temporarily (Bundok, Kitchen by Brad, Madison’s) or closing their dining rooms and offering take out.
It’s tough times for hospitality. Local restaurants are a vital part of our community and contribute much to our culture and the economy. Let’s continue to support them. We encourage you to buy gift certificates; take a rain check rather than a refund for booked functions and we urge you to call (directly) for takeout from your favourite resto.
Cibo offers take-out (780-757-2426), as will Daniel Costa’s restaurants Uccellino (780-426-0346), Bar Bricco (780-424-5588) and Corso 32 (780-421-4622). The Glass Monkey offers a take-out menu at 20 per cent off and 10-inch pizzas, $10.98, call 780-760-2228. The Marc is closed but offering a take-out menu (view on Facebook, or call 780-429-2828) and XIX is offering curb-side take out service, call 780-395-1119. RGE RD offers individual pot pies to reheat at home (bison and smoked beef chuck with whiskey jus and roasted vegetables, or cider pork with pickled cayenne and roasted vegetables, $8) and are rolling out a family-style menu later this week, call 780-447-4577.
“As long as offices and government buildings are open, we are there for quick-service at lunch and will offer a modified dinner menu both to-go and in-house,” says Ariel del Rosario, owner, Filistix. “We are doing delivery ourselves, text or call 780-717-4708, or DM on Instagram or Facebook. We have reduced hours at our SUB location and will stay open as long as SUB is open to provide for UofA staff and students in the building,” says Ariel.
We don’t know yet about relief for the sector from various levels of government, or whether there will be increased EI benefits. Contact your MP to encourage direct relief to restaurant workers. We will keep you posted on financial help as we hear about it.
Most wine shops have cancelled events and tastings but are still open and offering delivery. Good to know, as we may need wine or a stiff drink to see us through the next few weeks. Let’s hope it’s only a few more weeks.
Something to ponder: this article may be from an American point of view, but it’s food for thought.
Our friend Leanne reminds us to stay safe, stay strong. I’ll add stay kind as we are all in this together.
Be especially kind to all the hardworking folks you know in health care. Especially nurses.