yurayurateikokuさんの おぼえた日記 - 2021年9月10日(金)

Lesson 8 Beyond Regular Eateries (4)

Some urban centers began to resemble European squares crowded with outdoer cafes. Of course, alfresco dining doesn’t always work. Sitting outside isn’t pleasant in hot, humid weather or the freezing cold of winter.
In order to stay profitable while their dining rooms are closed or subject to various restrictions, some restaurants in my neighborhood have gone beyond just takeout and delivery offerings. They’re doubling up as food shops, selling staples like rice, pasta and milk and even do-it-yourself meal kits.
Another interesting trend is virtual cooking or cocktail classes. You buy ingredients from a restaurant or bar, then head home and follow along online as the chef or bartender shares their techniques. If all these ways of coping with the pandemic prove profitable there’s no reason to expect restaurants to phase them out, even when indoor dining comes back in full force.
It’s becoming increasingly common for restaurants to use automated ordering and paying systems to minimize physical contact between staff and guests. Customers can access menus and wine lists with QR codes and pay with a credit card or payment app, without receiving a printed check.
Even when Covid-19 disappears completely, industry experts expect the sanitation measures introduced in 2020 remain the new standard. Transparent plastic shields that have been installed in restaurants could well remain in place.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.