Bringing back the 'allure' of dining-out after COVID-19
Like many, I love going out to eat regularly - in particular, and as with so many others, during the weekends. The dining-out experience, amidst a not too crowded restaurant, with the tolerable ambient noise was something I looked forward to eagerly.
Sadly, this past year or so, my wife and I have had to give up this much deserved indulgence. Undoubtedly, like us, this must also be missed by many who occupied the eating-out spaces to either celebrate, connect or simply enjoy a good meal. Nowadays, eating-out whilst the pandemic is still running amok is for the daring, daft or desperate.
So what does the future of dining-out in the distant future look like? As restaurants reopen their doors to customers, one rule will prevail irrespective of culture or tradition; i.e. ensuring a safe social distance equation between guests and other guests and between employees and guests.
For starters I hope restaurant operators will avoid using Plexiglas dividers. I can accept this at the Bank or ticketing counter, but will most definitely lean away from these ambiance-destroying dividers. I do however; empathize with those who operate restaurants which are tight on real estate. Having no other option, than to install these unattractive barriers between crammed together tables, is, I guess some crude form of ensuring safety – if not privacy.
In the US, Virginia’s 3-star Michelin-starred restaurant is enforcing social distancing by placing well dressed mannequins in empty seats. To some, it may appear creepy whilst the ‘dining alone’ customer who dislikes any ‘yakety yak’ whilst eating might well find the silent companion welcoming. To others, especially those looking in from the outside, the restaurant may misleadingly appear popular and busy.
A restaurant in Bangkok is placing cardboard cartoon dragons instead of mannequins. I reckon diners prefer a fearsome companion to keep their distance when seated. Taking a softer approach, customers at the Maison Saigon restaurant, will find seated alongside, stuffed pandas. Now that’s a company one can cuddle whilst waiting for one’s food. Cute touch indeed.
All of the above, are but some examples, of cleverly devised ‘make-shift’ solutions to somehow embrace as much charm as possible whilst practicing social distancing measures to keep diners safe. But now, going into more than a year with the pandemic, restaurants, especially the newer ones will need to consider permanent solutions.
The elbow-to-elbow charm of a buzzing, tightly packed dining room might be lost for now (hopefully), but there are other ways to evoke a sense of communal intimacy in the experience.
The challenge for restaurateurs is to adopt quickly towards devising strategies that on the one hand, keep diners safely separated, whilst, on the other hand, retain the delightful ambiance that we diners look for…apart of course from receiving good food and efficient friendly service.
Ilzaf Keefahs is a freelance writer who enjoys focusing on hospitality related matters that he is passionate about, and likes to share his views with hoteliers and customers alike. He delves into the heart of hospitality to figure out both customer service and consumer trends that impact the industry.
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