Restaurants

[NotAKaren]

So interested to hear of your experiences in restaurants. We first ventured out early August for 'eat out' restaurant quite cautious, cutlery in packaging, socially distanced tables, doors and windows open and staff wearing masks. Slowly noticing things getting more relaxed but not bothered as mainly eating outdoors. Fast forward this weekend, having to be inside and you would think the virus was a thing of the past, restaurants packed, 2 table of 4 side by side quite clearly one party, waiters not wearing masks and encouraging everyone in the restaurant to sing happy birthday to other diners on two occasions. Does anyone monitor these premises? Needless to say I will not be returning.

They will probably only be checked if they're reported. If we want to keep things open we need to limit transmission in those places, one way to do that is to report venues that are not complying with the regulations. Encouraging group singing is really really stupid.

Do you know if the manager was there? If you're not sure I'd email the restaurant. If the manager was there & part of this then it's probably best to report them. Not sure where though. Council maybe. I have a feeling the reporting is about to be made a whole lot easier though.

Only been to a couple place, all seemed to have tight measure in place.

Local pub...tables spread out, booking only (but they let us in as they had hardly any bookings, midweek), took my name and phone number for track and trace, took our order at the bar.

Pizza Hut....not as spread out, order from our table via mobile phone (pay by phone), menus disposable, cutlery wrapped.

Other than that we haven’t eaten out, have had take aways instead.

Agreed. TBH although food was amazing,I really couldn't get out of there fast enough.

@Lovemusic33 I have to say that any pubs I have visited have been very compliant but they seem to be taking the brunt in the media.

@MJMG2015

They will probably only be checked if they're reported. If we want to keep things open we need to limit transmission in those places, one way to do that is to report venues that are not complying with the regulations. Encouraging group singing is really really stupid.

Do you know if the manager was there? If you're not sure I'd email the restaurant. If the manager was there & part of this then it's probably best to report them. Not sure where though. Council maybe. I have a feeling the reporting is about to be made a whole lot easier though.

I do not know the manager and not sure who is responsible or who even monitors these premises if anyone?

Our local was very strict when they first opened but did become more relaxed about filling tables. That said they were still complying with all the precautions but they are a higher end pub. So mains are £12 plus and most people have plenty of drinks, puddings coffee. I imagine it is more difficult to comply if you are having to offer a more budget menu to people who will just have a lemonade each.
I do think there is a high risk of all pubs having to shut because some are not able to be very strict and still cover their costs.

Have eaten out inside about 4-5 times in the last two months. I've spent time researching venues and looking at 'current' pictures on Facebook etc before booking.
All have been fine, although in one there was a table of very clearly not from the same household young people all sitting fairly closely together, so this is the part that I think is the biggest risk.
There's no 1metre+ inside restaurants!

One I went to early on has now introduced screens around tables and the staff now wear visors. However everywhere still has windows and doors wide open and seem well-ventilated.
I'm not sure I'll go once things get colder and more enclosed.

Have been in several. All completely fine. Proper distancing, track and trace. All the stuff they should be doing.

Although a couple totally devoid of atmosphere as Saint Nicola Sturgeon of Covid has banned music from being played.

Still. It's more than worth it to spend some time at a place other than home, and to get someone else to do the washing up.

When I visited Scotland they seemed much safer than in England. Everyone wore masks until they were seated and the waiting staff were wearing masks. In England it’s business as usual inside the restaurants I have been to and I got stared at for donning a mask to go to the restroom.

Went to Pizza Hut last night, though absolutely empty Usually you would be queuing out the door.

Great time, staff lovely, no issues.

Mind you the staff in my local were wearing those plastic visors and holding the plates right under them so I imagine beads of perspiration would’ve been dropping straight down onto the food.

Not been as feels an unnecessary risk and we would normally go with friends but most places can’t accommodate 2m in between each table member.

Lots seem to be booking multiple tables to get round the rule of six as well I’ve heard.

I haven't eaten inside at all. I'm in the vulnerable group, so I've been extra cautious. We've got take away often and at outside in various places. One of my favourite restaurants has reopened recently. It has no outside seating. I really want to go, but the bus journey plus sitting inside is just not worth the risk for me.

@SockYarn

Have been in several. All completely fine. Proper distancing, track and trace. All the stuff they should be doing.

Although a couple totally devoid of atmosphere as Saint Nicola Sturgeon of Covid has banned music from being played.

Still. It's more than worth it to spend some time at a place other than home, and to get someone else to do the washing up.

@SockYarn there is a very good reason for this. When there is music, people talk more loudly and are more likely to spread the virus through droplets.

I went in a few in august. All very good on the social distancing and masks but not 1 took any information for track and trace. Only 2 of those were pre booked and one was a Facebook message so not really reliable enough for track and trace.
Would I go atm? I probably would but I dont think ide stay having a leisurely dinner.

If you're not going to report them, what is the point of coming on here moaning about them??

@MJMG2015

They will probably only be checked if they're reported. If we want to keep things open we need to limit transmission in those places, one way to do that is to report venues that are not complying with the regulations. Encouraging group singing is really really stupid.

Do you know if the manager was there? If you're not sure I'd email the restaurant. If the manager was there & part of this then it's probably best to report them. Not sure where though. Council maybe. I have a feeling the reporting is about to be made a whole lot easier though.

Environmental health in our council are in charge of covid-secure-ness of business. Ours have an email to report businesses who are not complying (I had to report somewhere). The council have clamped down tightly on a number of places locally (I am in an area soon to be in tighter restrictions - I won't call it lockdown as it is definitely not lockdown as nowhere is shut 🤷🏼‍♀️).

@Littleposh

If you're not going to report them, what is the point of coming on here moaning about them??

I am going to report but wasn't sure who was responsible of if premises get checked or if maybe I was being over cautious. There was music and singing and little social distancing not to begin with or I would have walked out but that's how the evening progressed.

I've been to a few in different towns (Italy) Temperature taken before being allowed in, masks on if you move around. Contact details left. Hand sanitizer at the entrance. All waiting staff in masks. Music was playing in all of them as far as I recall.

I’ve been to loadsa cafes, a couple food based pubs & a restaurant. All OK. I love the social distancing as it means tables aren’t on top of each other! The restaurant I went too recently is usually crammed in & it was a joy not having someone else basically sat on our table 🙌🏼 There has been sanitiser on the tables, masks in most but not all. One way systems. The only thing I think no pub etc has managed is tables of 6 from different households are not SD from each other on that table. I’ve had many a lunch out with friends and we are sat as normal round the actual table itself. But doesn’t bother me.

As above, look up your local council Environmental Health team and report it. Singing inside is the most ridiculous bit, they need urgent advice at least.

I was going to write exactly the same thing as you.

Visited a few pubs/restaurants in August, generally felt very safe. Escorted to table, table service, tables spread out, staff in masks/visors etc, hand gel stations. Was a very enjoyable experience, and loved being spread out and only having to get up to go to the toilet.

Recently, things have definitely relaxed, tables closer, no table service, no masks on staff, less distancing etc. Still enjoyable but felt more risky. Not sure I fancy it as much if cases keep rising, shame as loved it in August.