2020 gave us warm, outdoor, winter dining! What's 2021 got for us?
Sanity check in! How is everyone doing as we have flown passed the 1 year anniversary of offices closing, trips being cancelled and wishing we had just one more brunch with our friends? (As I edit & post I’m excitedly reading about Philadelphia starting to lift more of the restrictions…getting closer!!)
Last year did not shape up the way anyone expected and it has definitely changed the world of food & drink. So many days I miss being able to sit at a bar and enjoy conversation with a bartender, learn about the food & drinks from them. (…soon those bar stools will welcome us back)… SO CLOSE! For now I’ll embrace the ability to grab cocktails to go from the bar!
How did you adapt? I typically adapt well, BUT… I’ve been over it! Was all for keeping everyone safe, don’t get me wrong, but I need to travel!! (I have quite a few cancelled flights I need to rebook… so it’s time to rebook!!) Trip #1 is rebooked already, so there will definitely be more to come. Time flies and although I had to rebook, my trip I have been waiting for is finally here…looking forward to all that California has to offer. If you’ve been – where do you go? What do you enjoy doing? What’s on your list still to do? Drop a comment!
A quick look back at the 2018 trip to San Diego
It’s been amazing to see the sun out consistently and weather warming up, heating up and cooling down depending on the day (still a little chilly in the breezy shade as I write), but do you remember those FREEZING cold days in January & February when all you wanted to do was get out of the house?? I do! Imagine, when Saturday night comes around and realizing you don’t want to cook dinner and thinking to yourself, let’s go out… not so easy now. Oh how I miss the days of 2019 when this used to be an easy task … just going out and finding a restaurant with open seats. There are lots of new rules to remember now and 98% of the time you must plan ahead. Say goodbye to spontaneity, but that doesn’t keep me down. With a limited number of seats inside, restaurants have gotten VERY creative with their outside dining (shelter, igloos, heaters, etc) and might I add I’m loving it! Reservations are very important unless you’d like an hour plus wait or no hope of a seat at all. Back in February, I decided it would be a great idea to find a fun outdoor dinner spot for a date night – but alas, limited reservations available. So it’s safe to say I am ecstatic to dine outdoors as the weather gets warmer and warmer. There was still snow on the ground, only so many places with protected and heated outdoor tables. (Nobody panic food was found – when hungry I MUST have food, and a drink is also helpful to help curve the hangry faster). After a few strike outs exploring reservations available online, we popped by the outdoor dining space at Hawthorne Café for luck of a late reservation and fun of a heated tent. Be sure to check them out this summer, they are always a fan favorite.
Hawthorne had individual bubbles and a large tent with about 6-8 table in it. The heaters were in the tent so I went with the warm option. Personally I prefer to be able to take my jacket off to enjoy dinner, not stay bundled. So I (possibly even we, but I can be selfish when hungry lol) showed up starving, so insisted on an app to accompany the first cocktail. Our pick was the Tater Tots loaded with Short Rib, cheddar cheese, pico & sour cream, plus a hot garlic sauce to dip. These definitely overshadowed the Hot Toddy, but they were a perfect sip while we hid from the cold winter air. If you like your drinks a little sweeter, I’d suggest adding a little extra honey to the Hot Toddy. We then split the burger and short rib tacos… hunger distracted me so don’t look for good photos, but just trust it all was yummy!
The city has been a challenge because our restaurant space is scarce and it was even this way before 2020, but there are so many fun solutions that entrepreneurs have found for outdoor dining in the cold! Heaters, semi-enclosed spaces, fire pits and hot cocktails. Another day, I discovered a favorite, Independence Beer Garden, had created space to become year round: The Cabin. Fun tip – if you plan for the later reservation, there is less likely reservation after you so the 90 minute time limit can be stretched.
Side note if you haven’t paid attention to restaurant policies, you typically have a 90 minute time frame to enjoy so then the next reservation can come and enjoy. Remember limited space for everyone to enjoy!
The cabin was delicious and relaxing. Adirondack chairs around a fire pit! One more tangent – why do fire pits always have Adirondack chairs? It’s always a battle if I sit all the way back to relax or sit on the edge to be closer to the warm fire…decisions, decisions. So the warm drink of choice here was the Spike Cider – new winter favorite, then loaded fries and a cheesesteak. A little disappointed they were sold out of their wings (LOVE their wings). Another challenge with Independence Beer Garden as a whole is everything is ordered through their mobile app so you can’t keep a running tab and if you realize you need something before or after food is delivered you’ve got to venture up to their bar area., but I am sure they have worked out the kinks for the summer and I am looking to be back again now that the weather is warmer. I respect the decision to limit contact, but I can see how this can be a pain when you realize you only have 1 fork for 2 people.
I’ll leave you with a few thoughts even as we look to the lifting of many of the restrictions:
Plan ahead, make reservations and SHOW UP ON TIME!
Even though restrictions are changing, be patient and understanding with how each restaurant and their staff are adapting. It may not be the same service or interaction you are used to, but everyone is doing the best they can. Respect that and don’t forget to tip. Remember behind the mask, behind the bar, in the kitchen, they all would love to go back to the very personable service, conversations and interactions.
If you still aren’t ready to venture out, like many have been saying over the last year – order take out or purchase a gift card for when you are ready.
As always if you have suggestions of places to go or sips/bites to try, this Phoodie is always looking for delicious tastes! Stay safe and sane!