Last weekend, I walked into a restaurant after more than 120 days – and it felt like I was back home. There was a sense of familiarity and nostalgia and I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw others there too. A group of friends celebrating a birthday, a family that had stepped out after 4 months with their 5-year-old daughter – I was super happy just sitting in the corner and observing them, and of course enjoying my food. To see life come back to the ‘new normal’ was stimulating, to dine at a restaurant table again was so comforting for a foodie like me.
Farzi Cafe is following all the safety and hygiene protocols
But a lot had changed. When I walked into Farzi Café in Connaught Place – there were toothpicks in the lift so that I didn’t have to press the button with my finger. My temperature was checked and I was asked to sanitise my hands. The table where I was seated had been sanitized and the next one was 10 feet away. All the staff members were wearing face shields, masks and gloves. I missed leafing through the menu pages. Instead of that I had to scroll the list on my phone after scanning the QR code. It felt a bit weird but I guess that is the new normal. I scanned through the menu and ordered my favourite dishes - Butter Chicken Bao and Mutton Irrachi Pepper Fry with Malabar Parantha.
The tables at Farzi Cafe are placed 10 feet apart from each other
As I was waiting for my meal – I thought of the reactions I got after I told people I was going out to dine.
“Are restaurants even open? Why would you do that, are you in the right frame of mind? Why expose yourself to this risk?”
These were just some of the things I got to hear. I believe that the Covid 19 world is divided into two – those who are super scared and want to stay at home, and those who are brave and bold enough to face this world. I belong somewhere in the middle. I feel that if we are taking all the precautions, wearing a mask, sanitizing our hands, then there is no reason to be fearful.
A couple of weeks back, I saw the video by Conde Nast Traveller India where Rhea Kapoor says,
“This is not a restaurant.
It's the first place you began calling home in a new city.
This is not a restaurant.
It's where you fell in love over half a plate of fried rice."
And these beautiful words got me thinking – we are at pubs and bars for every special occasion of our life – be it a first date, or the 60th, a birthday, a promotion or pondering over the biggest life decisions – chances are you’ve done it over a meal. It is in our very basic nature to eat out, meet people and celebrate.
Social distancing measures at Plum By Bent Chair in Aerocity
Most of the restaurants are following these measures. They are allowing only 50% occupancy. I went to Plum By Bent Chair at Aerocity on Sunday and it was a fantastic experience – people started walking in by 2 - 3pm and it was fantastic to see them enjoy and have a good time.
Will I go out to eat again - YES!
Should you head out? That is completely your choice but I would say, yes, if you go for a trusted brand. Call them up and ask them if they are taking the necessary measures and then make your decision.
When the restaurant industry is bleeding – don’t leave them high and dry – they were there for you in the good times. Now we need to have their back – so go out there – celebrate – but take the precautions and be safe!
This article was also published on Lifestyle Asia India
