Five Ways to Support Our Restaurants Even When You Can’t Eat Out

Spring is on its way and along with it, a new season of flavours to celebrate together. [Image by Jason Goh]

Lots of us love dining out, not just because we don’t have to do the dishes after we eat but because dining out is a wonderful way to socialize, stay tuned into our communities, and, yes, to be able to sample all those marvelous seasonal flavors chefs spend their lives putting together for our dining pleasure. 

So, what can we do to help support the restaurants and coffee shops we all love so much when so many are closing their doors, cutting back hours, or reducing capacity in the wake of COVID-19? Here are a few suggestions. Please leave a comment and share your ideas - we’d love to add to this list! 

1. Purchase Gift Certificates

   Always eat out on a Friday night? Consider purchasing gift certificates for about the same amount you’d usually spend each week. You’ll help smooth out the cash flow dip the current situation is creating throughout the industry. When things get back to normal, invite along an extra friend the next time you go out for dinner. Or, get a head start on gift shopping. Who wouldn’t love to receive a gift certificate as a birthday present? Or, for that matter, as a ‘just because’ surprise? 

2. Share on Social

   Repost messages from the establishments you follow. The situation out there is changing rapidly and it can be hard to keep up with all the latest adjustments to who is serving what, who is only doing takeout, or offering contactless delivery. See a post? Share it. That helps our restaurateurs stay in touch with their customers because the more a post is shared, the more it gets shown in everyone’s social media feeds. 

3. Look for Locally-made Frozen Meals
   Delis are my go-to destination when I’m lusting after landjaeger. Visit local delis and stock up on frozen or to-go meals but also on some lovely cheese to go with that bottle of red you’ve been saving.

4. Order takeout!
   Order takeout or take advantage of the many restaurants offering delivery services and when that tasty package of yumminess shows up at your place, take a minute to snap a photo or shoot a quick video. Post online and tag the restaurant to remind others they are open for business. And, tag us (@tastemag) so we can repost to our Stories. We’re doing our best to support local eateries by sharing whenever we can. 

5. Be Kind to Yourself
   Don’t forget to support yourself, too. Celebrate seasonal flavours twice - once in your kitchen and again, virtually. Even though this can feel like an overwhelming time, spring is coming. I’d love to see your posts of the first greens you pluck from your garden, the earliest garlic scapes, or the first tender asparagus spears (sauteed ever so gently in butter) as they grace your plates. We may need to get creative, but we will - we must - find ways to stay positive and celebrate those marvellous flavours together.

Hang in there… spring is coming and so are the fresh strawberries!! [Image by croisy]