Instead, we've been cooking more at home and I've shared some of those "quarantine cooking" recipes here. (No, I did not tackle the sourdough trend.) A main thing we have been consistently doing is ordering delivery or takeout from local restaurants and spreading the word about initiatives that need support. I've highlighted all on my Instagram page already, but thought I'd take time to document what we've been eating from DC restaurants here on the blog.
From the quick lunch deliveries while teleworking and casual everyday dinners to more fine dining multi course meals to celebrate milestones during the quarantine (i.e. my 40th birthday and our wedding anniversary), find a summary below:
Work From Home Lunches
Roaming Rooster
Grazie Grazie
The Halal Guys
Emilie's
Casual Dinner
Mi Vida
Sushi Hachi
Wiseguy NY Pizza
Federalist Pig
ABC Pony
CAVA Mezze
Unconventional Diner
The Salt Line
Eat BRGZ
CHIKO
ANJU
Celebratory Dinners
Osteria Morini
Bresca
Other Treats
Souk
Bullfrog Bagels
District Doughnut
With the restrictions in the DMV area starting to lift, many restaurants are welcoming customers again by opening both outdoor and indoor seating at limited capacity and with heavy social distancing rules. If you don't feel comfortable dining out at your favorite restaurant just yet, you can still show support by continuing to order takeout or delivery. If the restaurant offers their own delivery service, choose that first over using a third party. Also, give a generous tip whenever you order a food delivery. The employees will appreciate it! Another great way to support is to buy a gift card directly from the restaurant now and prepare to use it for your dining-in celebration later. Lastly, I want to point out if given the option to order from a chain or smaller "mom and pop" business -- always support local. Many of them have had to shut their doors, could not qualify for PPP loans, and really need our support more than ever. Even better choose a BIPOC-owned restaurant instead. Here is a comprehensive list of DMV-area BIPOC-owned restaurants curated by Anela Malik.
What restaurants have you ordered from during the pandemic? I'd love to check out more new-to-me spots, if possible. Are you ready to dine back indoors (or outdoors) at your favorite spot yet? Please share in the comments below!
